A come-out roll is the first roll of a craps round, before a point has been established. On this roll, Pass Line bets usually win on 7 or 11, lose on 2, 3, or 12, and move into the point phase if 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 rolls.
Plain Talk
The come-out roll is the reset moment in craps.
The puck is OFF, the shooter is starting a new decision cycle, and the table is waiting to see whether the roll creates an immediate result or establishes a point. It is the roll that confuses many new players because 7 is good here for Pass Line bettors, but bad after the point.
For the full game structure, read Craps and the Glossary.
| Come-out result | Pass Line result | Don’t Pass result | What happens next |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | Wins | Loses | New come-out roll |
| 2 or 3 | Loses | Wins | New come-out roll |
| 12 | Loses in most rules | Push on Don’t Pass in common rules | New come-out roll |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 | Point established | Point established | Puck turns ON |
Where You See It
You see “come-out roll” in craps rules, dealer instructions, table lessons, and casino beginner guides.
Why It Matters
The come-out roll changes the meaning of 7.
That one fact drives much of the confusion around craps. A 7 on the come-out can be a Pass Line winner. A 7 after the point is a seven out. Same number, completely different result.
The come-out roll also affects whether certain bets are working, off, or waiting for the point.
Example
You bet $10 on the Pass Line.
The shooter rolls 11 on the come-out roll. Your bet wins immediately. If the shooter rolls 6 instead, the dealer marks 6 as the point. Now the shooter must roll 6 again before 7 for your Pass Line bet to win.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, the come-out roll tells the crew the table is in a new decision state.
Dealers watch:
- whether the puck is OFF
- which line bets are active
- whether odds are allowed yet
- whether Come Bets or place bets are working by house rule
- which bets need to be paid, pushed, moved, or collected
A good craps crew makes this look smooth. Underneath, the state of the table changes sharply after one roll.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often ask, “Why was 7 good a minute ago and bad now?”
Because the game phase changed. During the come-out roll, 7 is a natural winner for Pass Line. After a point is established, 7 ends the shooter’s hand and beats many right-side bets.
Hard Truth
Craps is not hard because the dice are mysterious. It is hard because the same dice total can mean opposite things depending on the phase of the game.
Related Terms
- The Point — the number established by many come-out rolls.
- Pass Line — the main right-side bet affected by the come-out roll.
- Don’t Pass — the opposite main bet on the come-out roll.
- Seven Out — what 7 means after the point.
- Odds Bet — becomes available after the point is set.
- Craps — the full game term.
FAQ
Is every first roll a come-out roll?
It is the first roll of a new decision cycle. After a point is made or a seven out occurs, the next roll is a new come-out roll.
Can a point be established on the come-out roll?
Yes. A roll of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 establishes the point in standard craps.
What does “puck off” mean?
It means no point is currently established. The table is in the come-out phase.
Are place bets working on the come-out roll?
House rules vary. Many place bets are off by default on the come-out unless the player asks to have them working.
Is the come-out roll better for Pass Line or Don’t Pass?
Both are low-house-edge base bets, but they have different immediate win, loss, and push conditions.
Deeper Insight
The come-out roll is the only time the Pass Line bet can settle immediately or move into a second phase.
That two-phase structure is why basic craps math looks less obvious than roulette or baccarat. A line bet can win immediately, lose immediately, or become a point race.
Formula / Calculation
For the come-out roll only:
| Outcome group | Dice combinations | Pass Line effect |
|---|---|---|
| 7 or 11 | 8 | Win |
| 2, 3, or 12 | 4 | Lose |
| 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 | 24 | Point established |
Total dice combinations:
6 × 6 = 36
Immediate Pass Line win chance on come-out:
8 / 36
Immediate Pass Line loss chance on come-out:
4 / 36
Point establishment chance:
24 / 36
Formula Explanation in Plain English
On the come-out roll, two-thirds of all possible dice combinations establish a point. The bet usually does not end right away. That is why craps feels like a sequence, not a single spin. The opening roll sets the condition for what happens next.
Related Reading
Read Pass Line and Don’t Pass to understand the main bets before the dice move. Then read The Point and Seven Out to understand what changes after the come-out roll. For a broader lesson, use Craps and Ask a Veteran.