Definition
The Come Out Roll is the first roll of a new betting round in craps. It is used to establish a “point” for the Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets, or to end the round immediately with a win or loss.
In context
When you see a small plastic disk on the table that says “OFF” (black side up), the next roll will be a Come Out Roll. If the shooter rolls a 7, the Pass Line bettors win immediately. If the shooter rolls an 8, the “OFF” puck is flipped to “ON” (white side up) and moved to the 8-box, signaling that 8 is now the point.
Why it matters
The Come Out Roll is the only time players can place a new Pass Line or Don’t Pass bet. It is also the statistically safest time for a Pass Line bettor, as the most common number (7) results in an immediate win during this phase.
Related terms
In detail
The Come Out Roll is the heartbeat of a craps game. It represents a fresh start. Whether the previous shooter just “Sevened Out” (lost) or made their point (won), the game always returns to the Come Out Roll to begin the cycle again. For a casino operator, this is the moment of peak betting activity. For the player, it is the moment of highest hope.
The Puck: The Visual Cue
If you are walking through a noisy casino and want to know what’s happening at the craps table, look for the “puck.” This is a heavy plastic disk, usually black on one side (“OFF”) and white on the other (“ON”).
- OFF: The game is in the Come Out phase. No point has been set.
- ON: A point has been established, and the game is in the “middle” phase.
When the puck is “OFF,” it usually sits in the Don’t Pass bar area or in an empty space on the layout. This tells everyone that the very next toss of the dice is a Come Out Roll.
The Math of the Come Out
There are 36 possible combinations of two six-sided dice. On the Come Out Roll, the outcomes for a Pass Line bet are:
- 7 or 11 (8 ways): You win. These are “naturals.”
- 2, 3, or 12 (4 ways): You lose. This is “crapping out.”
- 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 (24 ways): These numbers become the Point.
Notice the math: there are 8 ways to win instantly and only 4 ways to lose instantly. This 2-to-1 advantage in favor of the player is why the Pass Line is such a popular bet. However, the house gets its edge back once a point is established, because after the Come Out, the 7 (the most common number) becomes a loser.
Player Strategy and Etiquette
The Come Out Roll is the designated time to get your money on the layout. If you try to place a Pass Line bet after the point is established, the dealer might let you, but it’s a “put bet”—a mathematically terrible move because you missed the “safe” window of the Come Out Roll.
This is also the time when “Place Bets” (bets on specific numbers) are traditionally “Off” or “Not Working.” If you have a bet on the 6 and the shooter rolls a 6 on the Come Out, you don’t win. The casino assumes you are waiting for the point to be set. However, you can tell the dealer “Work my bets,” and they will put a small “ON” button on your chips, allowing you to win (or lose) on that first roll.
The Momentum of the Game
The Come Out Roll creates a specific psychological rhythm. When a shooter is “making points,” they might have several Come Out Rolls in a single “hand.” For example:
- Shooter rolls a 7 (Winner, stays on Come Out).
- Shooter rolls an 11 (Winner, stays on Come Out).
- Shooter rolls a 9 (Point set).
- Shooter rolls a 9 (Point made, back to Come Out).
In this scenario, the shooter is “on fire,” even though they’ve only set one point. The table will be cheering because the 7, which is usually the “devil” in craps, is a hero during these rolls. Understanding this transition—from wanting a 7 to fearing a 7—is the core of mastering craps.
Operational Reality
For the pit boss and dealers, the Come Out Roll is a high-maintenance moment. They must ensure all bets are properly placed, all “odds” are handled according to player wishes, and the shooter is ready. If a die flies off the table during a Come Out Roll, it “kills the vibe,” but the rules remain the same: the next roll is still the Come Out. Dealers are trained to call out “Coming out!” loudly to alert the table that the “win on 7” window is open.