Place Bets versus Come Bets
For the first few years of playing craps, I was a come bettor. As I learned more about the game and how the payouts worked, I realized that the place bet was the far better bet. In the tables below, I’ll show you how this is so.
These tables show how much you’d win on each number for both types of bets.
$5 come bet with $10 odds ($15 action)
| Number | $5 come bet pays | $10 odds bet pays | Total win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 and 10 | Even money – $5 | 2 to 1 – $20 | $25 |
| 5 and 9 | Even money – $5 | 3 to 2 – $15 | $20 |
| 6 and 8 | Even money – $5 | 6 to 5 – $12 | $17 |
$15 place bets ($18 on 6 or 8)
| Number | Odds | Win |
|---|---|---|
| 4 and 10 | 9 to 5 | $27 |
| 5 and 9 | 7 to 5 | $21 |
| 6 and 8 | 7 to 6 | $21 |
Although the place bets pay only slightly higher than the come bets, you have to remember that a come bet number has to be thrown twice in order to win — the first time to establish the come point and a second time to win.
Come bets versus Place bets – after two numbers
| Bet type | Number | Risk | 1st # thrown | 2nd # thrown | Total after 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Come | 4 and 10 | $15 | $0 win | $25 win | $25 |
| Place | 4 and 10 | $15 | $27 win | $27 win | $54 |
| Come | 5 and 9 | $15 | $0 win | $20 win | $20 |
| Place | 5 and 9 | $15 | $21 win | $21 win | $42 |
| Come | 6 and 8 | $15 | $0 win | $17 win | $17 |
| Place | 6 and 8 | $18 | $21 win | $21 win | $42 |
Your profit is greatly increased after you win your second place bet. For example: with $15 in your rack, a $5 come + $10 odds that hits twice returns $25 profit ($40 total). The same $15 as a place bet on the four that hits twice yields $54 and still has the $15 working — $14 more profit even if a seven then takes the place bet down.
Other advantages of place bets
- Come bets are always working. A seven on the come-out loses flat come bets (odds are returned unless you say otherwise). You then have to re-establish every come bet.
- Place bets are off on the come-out unless you say otherwise. A seven on the come-out does not affect them.
- Place bets can be taken down or called off at any time. Only the odds portion of a come bet can normally be removed.
- You can increase or decrease place bets at any time. You cannot change an established come bet; a larger come still requires the number to be thrown twice to win.
Thoughts, comments, etc. can be made to me at starchip@live.com.