What the Come Out Roll Is and How to Bet It in Craps

The come out roll is the first dice throw in a new round of craps. It's the initial chance for bettors to place wagers that either resolve immediately or determine how the rest of the round plays out. Understanding its outcomes and the bets available during this phase is one of the most important basics for new players.

The two dice are summed to produce the roll result. On the come out roll:

• A roll of 7 or 11 immediately wins Pass bets and loses Don't Pass bets.
• A roll of 2 or 3 immediately wins Don't Pass bets and loses Pass bets.
• A roll of 12 is treated differently in many games: often it's a push on Don't Pass, meaning Don't Pass neither wins nor loses on that specific roll.
• If the roll is 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, that number becomes the point. The round continues until the table either rolls the point again (which favors Pass) or rolls a 7 (which favors Don't Pass).

Common bets you can make on the come out roll

The come out phase has a few straightforward wagers beginners see most often:

• Any Craps: Wins if the come out roll is 2, 3, or 12. Loses on any other result. The example payout shown is 7:1 and the standard house edge example given is 11.11%.
• Don't Pass: Wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, and usually pushes on 12 during the come out. The example house edge is 1.36% and payout is 1:1.
• Pass: Wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12. The example house edge is 1.41% and payout is 1:1.

Those three bets don't cover every possible wager at a craps table, but they are the core options tied directly to the come out roll. When the roll establishes a point, Pass and Don't Pass bets remain active until the round resolves.

If the come out roll sets a point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the shooter keeps rolling and the outcome of subsequent throws decides whether Pass or Don't Pass wins: hitting the point again resolves the round in favor of Pass, while rolling a 7 resolves it in favor of Don't Pass. Other side bets and place bets may be available depending on the table and variant.

• Place your chips before the dealer closes betting for the come out roll. Late bets can be declined.
• Do not touch the shooter's dice or interfere with their motion. Avoid giving unsolicited advice or instructions to other players.
• Check the specific game rules where you play. Variants such as crapless craps or different online implementations can change how certain rolls are handled and can alter house edges.

The come out roll is the defining moment that starts each round. Know the immediate win/lose numbers for Pass and Don't Pass, recognize when a point is set, and follow basic table etiquette. That knowledge gives you the context to choose bets that match your risk tolerance and play style.