What Is the Don't Come Bet in Craps

Updated on

April 15, 2026

A don't come bet? You're betting against the shooter after they've already set a point. Win when a 7 shows up before they hit that point number again. The house edge is only 1.36% before you add odds, which makes this one of the best bets you'll find.

Here's how the don't come bar works, why they print "bar 12" on the layout, and how laying odds drops the house edge even lower.

What is the don't come bet

After the come-out roll, you can drop chips on the don't come. You win if a 7 shows before the shooter hits their point again. Roll a 2 or 3 right after placing your bet? You win on the spot. A 7 or 11 loses. A 12 pushes, your chips just sit there, no win, no loss.

Look for the box labeled "Don't Come Bar", usually near the corner by the don't pass line. Bet the don't come, and you're a "dark side" bettor. The name fits. You make money when the shooter loses. Sounds dramatic, right? But it's just math. A 7 shows up more than any single point number, so once your bet lands on a number, the odds shift your way.

How the don't come bet works

Watch it happen once, and you'll get it. Chip placement to payout, same pattern every time.

Placing your bet

Once the shooter sets a point, drop your chips in the Don't Come bar. The layout marks it; you won't miss it. You can't bet the don't come during the come-out roll. Wait until there's a point.

What happens on the first roll after your bet

Three things can happen on that next roll:

Win: The shooter rolls a 2 or 3. You collect even money.
Lose: The shooter rolls a 7 or 11. The dealer takes your chips.
Push: The shooter rolls a 12. Nothing happens. Your bet stays put.

Any other number? That's your don't come point. The numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 can all become points.

After the point is set

The dealer moves your chips behind that box number. Now you wait. A 7 wins. Your point number repeats, and you lose.

This is different from most craps bets. Once it's on a number, you can pull your bet down anytime. Most people leave it, the math's on your side now. But you can bail if you want.

What does bar mean in craps?

See "Bar 12" printed on the don't come and don't pass areas? It's there to protect the casino's edge.

Without it, you'd have an edge over the house. Making 12 a push keeps the casino's edge at 1.36%. Some places bar the 2 instead. Same math either way.

The bar is the house's safety net. A 12 doesn't lose, doesn't win. Just sits. The rule applies to both the don't pass bar and the don't come bar.

Don't come bet vs don't pass line

The don't come and don't pass work almost the same way. Timing's the difference.

Feature	Don't pass line	Don't come bet
When placed	Before the come-out roll	After the point is established
Bar rule	12 is a push	12 is a push
Can be removed	Yes, after point	Yes, after point
House edge	1.36%	1.36%

The don't pass line bet goes down before any point exists. The don't come bet enters play after. Both are dark side wagers, both carry the same house edge, and both allow you to lay odds once a point is established.

A lot of players run both bets together. Don't pass covers the come-out. Don't come bets stack more numbers against the shooter.

Don't come bet vs come bet

Don't come and come bets are complete opposites. Come bets win when the shooter's hot. Don't come? You want them cold.

Come bet: Wins on 7 or 11, loses on 2, 3, or 12
Don't come bet: Wins on 2 or 3, loses on 7 or 11, pushes on 12

Point's set. Come bet wins if that number hits. Don't come wins on a 7. Same numbers. Opposite results.

The difference isn't math, it's social. Come bets? You're cheering with everyone else. Don't come has better math. Just don't expect pass line players to love you for it.

Don't come bet odds and payouts

You get even money on that first roll. But laying odds after your bet hits a number? That's where the value is.

Laying odds on a don't come bet

You're betting more to win less. Sounds backwards, right? Here's why it's not.

Once you're behind a point number, a 7 shows up more often than that specific number. You're betting on what's likely to happen, so the payout's adjusted. Laying odds against a 4 or 10 pays 1:2. Bet $20, win $10.

Here's the thing: the odds bet has zero house edge. The casino pays at true mathematical odds, making the odds bet one of the best wagers available in any table game.

House edge on don't come

The base bet runs about 1.36% house edge. Max out the odds, and the combined edge drops, sometimes under 0.5%, depending on table limits.

For context, most slot machines run between 2% and 15% house edge. Don't come with odds? One of the best bets in any casino.

Don't come bet strategy tips

1. Use it after the come-out roll

You can't bet it until there's a point. Don't try betting it during the come-out, won't work. Wait for the puck to flip to "ON" before betting.

2. Combine with don't pass for coverage

Here's what a lot of players do: bet don't pass, then add one or two don't come bets after the point. You've got multiple numbers working against the shooter without risking too much.

The risk? A 7 on the come-out kills your don't pass before any don't come bets go live. Don't come wins, don't pass loses.

3. Lay maximum odds when possible

The odds bet has no house edge. Lay the max, and you're cutting your disadvantage. Check table limits before you sit. JB's crypto tables show the odds limits right there, no guessing.

Tip: If you're new to dark side betting, start with a single don't come bet plus odds. Add complexity once the rhythm feels natural.

Common mistakes with the don't come bet

Everyone screws this up sometimes. Mistakes that'll cost you:

Placing the bet during come-out: The don't come bet isn't active until after a point exists. Wait for the puck to show "ON."
Forgetting you can remove it: Unlike come bets, don't come bets can be taken down after moving to a number. Most players leave them since the math favors them, but the option is there.
Misunderstanding bar 12: A 12 doesn't lose. It pushes. Your chips stay exactly where they are.
‍Skipping the odds bet: Not laying odds means accepting a higher house edge than necessary. If your bankroll allows, lay odds behind your don't come bet.

FAQs about the don't come bet in craps

What is the riskiest bet in craps?

Prop bets and hardways? House edge over 10%. Don't come runs 1.36%, drops lower with odds.

Can you remove a don't come bet after it moves to a number?

Yes. You can pull a don't come bet down anytime after it moves to a number. Can't do that with come bets. Most leave it—the odds are with you at that point.

Is betting the don't come considered bad etiquette at craps tables?

Not really. Some pass line players prefer everyone cheering together, but the don't come bet is a legitimate wager offered by every casino. Play your game.