Walk up to any craps table at the Bellagio or a local joint in downtown Vegas, and the energy is usually electric. People are screaming. They're high-fiving. They're rooting for the shooter to hit that repeat 8 or a hard 10. But then there’s that one guy. He’s standing quietly at the end of the table, placing chips on the "Don't" side. When the shooter sevens out and the rest of the table groans in collective agony, this guy quietly collects a stack of chips.
That’s the "dark side" player.
If you want to play with the lowest house edge possible, you have to get comfortable being the villain. Specifically, you need to understand the don't come bet craps strategy. It’s not just about being a contrarian; it’s about the math. While most players are betting with the shooter, you are essentially betting that the house will win. And in a casino, betting on the house is usually the only way to stay in the game long-term.
What Actually Happens When You Play the Dark Side?
Let's get the basics out of the way first. Most people know the Don’t Pass line. The don't come bet craps players use is basically the exact same thing, just moved forward in time. You can’t place a Don’t Come bet until a point has already been established for the shooter. Once that point is set, you drop your chips in the "Don't Come" box.
On the very next roll, you win if the shooter rolls a 2 or 3. You lose if they hit a 7 or 11. If they roll a 12, it’s a "push"—nobody wins, nobody loses. This is the casino’s way of keeping their edge. If any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) is rolled, your bet moves to a "behind the scenes" spot on that number. Now, you are rooting for a 7 to show up before that number hits again.
It feels backwards. It feels wrong.
You’re literally cheering for the game to end. But here is the kicker: once that bet moves to a number, you are the statistical favorite. On a Don’t Come bet moved to the 4 or 10, there are three ways to roll those numbers and six ways to roll a 7. You have a 2-to-1 advantage.
Honestly, it’s a weird psychological hurdle. You have to stand there stone-faced while the grandmother next to you loses her vacation fund because you just won twenty bucks on a "Big Red" (the 7).
The Math Behind the Don't Come Bet Craps Strategy
Craps is a game of tiny margins. If you play the Pass Line, the house edge is roughly 1.41%. That’s not bad compared to a slot machine or a triple-zero roulette wheel. But if you switch to the don't come bet craps players prefer, that house edge drops to 1.36%.
It sounds like a small difference. 0.05%? Who cares, right?
Well, over thousands of rolls, that margin is the difference between having enough for a steak dinner and eating a dry granola bar in your hotel room. When you combine the Don’t Come with "laying odds," you can drop the house edge to nearly zero. Effectively, you are playing a fair game against the casino.
Laying Odds vs. Taking Odds
When you bet the Pass Line and a point is set, you "take odds." You’re betting more money to win more money. The Don't Come bet is the opposite. You "lay odds." This means you have to bet more to win less.
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Wait. Why would anyone do that?
Because the probability is on your side. If the point is 4, you might lay $60 to win $30. It feels expensive. But remember, the 7 is twice as likely to appear as that 4. You are paying for the privilege of being the favorite to win the hand. Expert players like Stanford Wong, who literally wrote the book on professional gambling (specifically Winning Ways), have long pointed out that while laying odds requires a bigger bankroll, it is the mathematically superior way to play.
The Social Suicide of the Dark Side
I’ve seen it happen. A guy wins five Don’t Come bets in a row during a cold streak. The rest of the table is losing hundreds. The shooter is frustrated. People start looking at the dark side player like he’s a narc.
The social pressure is real.
In craps, there’s this "we’re all in this together" vibe. The don't come bet craps strategy flies in the face of that. If you’re going to play this way, here’s a tip: don’t celebrate. Don’t scream "Seven!" like a maniac. Just pick up your chips and look slightly bored. It’s the "Don’t Player’s Code."
Handling the Come-Out Roll
The only time a Don't Come bet is truly vulnerable is the moment you place it. On that first roll after you put your money down, the 7 and 11 (which happen frequently) are your enemies. This is the "come-out" for your bet.
- 7 or 11: You lose immediately.
- 2 or 3: You win immediately.
- 12: You push (the house bar).
- Anything else: Your bet travels to the number.
Once it travels, the 7 becomes your best friend. This "hedge" nature of the game is what makes craps so complex. You are rooting for different things at different times.
Advanced Tactics: Multiple Don't Come Bets
Some players don’t stop at one. They’ll put a Don’t Come bet out on every single roll until they have three or four numbers "covered."
Imagine this scenario:
The shooter is rolling. You have a Don’t Come bet on the 5, the 9, and the 10. You have effectively built a wall. Unless the shooter is on a legendary "monster roll" where they hit all their points, you are going to pick them off one by one. Eventually, the 7 must come. It’s a mathematical certainty. When it does, all three of those bets pay out at once.
It’s a beautiful sight.
But there is a danger. If the shooter starts hitting those numbers before the 7, your bankroll will evaporate faster than a puddle in the Mojave. This is why you need a significant "buy-in." If you’re playing $15 minimums and you want to play three Don’t Come bets with odds, you should probably have at least $500 to $1,000 on the table to weather the swings.
Why the "Bar 12" Exists
You’ll notice on the craps layout it says "Bar 12" or sometimes "Bar 2." This is the only reason the casino has an edge on the don't come bet craps players make.
Without this rule, the Don't side would actually have an advantage over the house. The casino can't have that. By making the 12 a "push" instead of a win for the Don't bet, they tip the scales back just enough to ensure they make a profit in the long run. It’s a small detail, but it’s the pivot point for the entire game’s economy.
Common Misconceptions About the Don't Side
A lot of people think the Don't Come bet is "cheating" or "scamming." It’s not. The casino loves Don't players just as much as Pass players because most Don't players don't know when to quit.
Another myth: "The Don't side is for people who hate fun."
Actually, many people find it more fun. There is a specific kind of thrill in being the only one winning when the "inevitable" 7 shows up. It feels like you’ve hacked the system.
Does it Work in Online Craps?
Yes, but it feels different. When you play don't come bet craps online (like on Evolution’s Live Craps or a standard RNG game), the social pressure is gone. You don't have to worry about the guy next to you giving you the side-eye. This makes it much easier to stick to your strategy without feeling like a jerk.
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However, be careful with RNG (Random Number Generator) games. While they are audited and fair, the sheer speed of digital craps can lead you to bet way more than you intended. A real-life craps game is slow. There’s chip counting, stick-handling, and shouting. Online, you can lose ten bets in the time it takes to take a sip of coffee.
How to Get Started with the Don't Come Bet
If you’re ready to try the dark side, don’t just dive in with $500.
- Start with the Don't Pass. This is your entry point. Wait for a new shooter, put your minimum bet on the Don't Pass line.
- Wait for the Point. Once a point is established, your Don't Pass bet stays put.
- Drop the Don't Come. Now, put your chips in the "Don't Come" area.
- Learn to Lay Odds. If you have the bankroll, tell the dealer you want to "lay odds" on your Don't Come bet. They will help you place the chips correctly (usually tucked slightly off-center on top of your bet).
- Manage Your Emotions. You will lose some rolls. You will lose to a "yo" (11) on the come-out. It happens. Stay the course.
Real-World Nuance: The "Cold Table" Strategy
The best time to utilize don't come bet craps tactics is when a table is "cold." This is a gambler's term for a table where nobody is hitting their points.
Is a table being "cold" a real scientific phenomenon? No. Every roll of the dice is an independent event. The dice have no memory. They don't know that the last shooter sevened-out in three rolls.
But, humans are emotional creatures. If you see a table where people are frustrated and leaving, it’s usually because the 7 is appearing early and often. This is the ideal environment for the Don’t player. Not because the math has changed, but because you won’t be the only one "killing the vibe"—the vibe is already dead.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you want to master the don't come bet craps style, start by practicing at home with a simulator or a deck of cards (to represent dice totals) until the movement of the bets becomes second nature.
- Check the Table Minimums: Don’t play a $25 table if you only have $200. You’ll be gone in five minutes.
- Watch the Dealers: They are your best resource. If you aren't sure where to place your odds, just ask. "Hey, can I lay odds on that DC?" They’ll know exactly what you mean.
- Set a Win Limit: The Don't side is a grind. You won't usually have a massive, explosive win like a Pass Line player hitting a heater. You win small amounts consistently. Know when to walk away with your profit.
- Ignore the Superstitions: People will tell you that saying "seven" at the table is bad luck. It’s not. It’s just a number. However, for the sake of peace, just keep your mouth shut and enjoy the math working in your favor.
The dark side isn't for everyone. It requires a thick skin and a disciplined mind. But if you’re tired of losing your shirt while everyone else is cheering for a shooter who can’t hit a point to save their life, it might be time to start betting against the crowd.
Next time you're in the casino, look for the "Don't Come" box. It’s lonely over there, but the math is much friendlier. Just remember to tip your dealer when you win—even villains should have good manners.