Craps Don't Come Calculator: Betting with the House

Don't come bets are the contrarian's choice—winning when shooters lose. Our calculator shows don't come odds, laying odds strategy, and why this slightly-better-edge bet faces social challenges at the craps table.

What Is a Don't Come Bet?

Don't come is the opposite of come bets: you win if 2 or 3 rolls, push on 12 (bar 12), and lose on 7 or 11. Any other number becomes your "don't come point"—you win if 7 rolls before your point. You're betting against the shooter.

Quick Answer: Don't come = opposite of come bet. Win on 2/3 (2.78%), push on 12 (2.78%), lose on 7/11 (22.22%). House edge: 1.36% (slightly better than pass/come at 1.41%). Can lay odds (true odds, 0% edge). Called "wrong" or "dark side" betting. Socially unpopular—you're rooting for 7 while others want points made.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Don't Come Calculator →

Enter bet details to see probabilities and expected value.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Don't Come Bet: Base wager

2. View Initial Outcome: Probabilities

3. Set Point Established: If applicable

4. Add Lay Odds: True odds bet

5. Calculate Total EV: Combined expected value

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Don't Come Bet	Base wager	$10
Initial Win	2 or 3	8.33%
Initial Lose	7 or 11	22.22%
Bar (Push)	12	2.78%
Point Made	Establishes	66.67%
House Edge	Casino advantage	1.36%

Don't Come Mechanics

Initial Roll Resolution

Don't come bet placed
Next roll determines:

Win immediately:
2 (1/36) or 3 (2/36) = 8.33%

Lose immediately:
7 (6/36) or 11 (2/36) = 22.22%

Push (bar 12):
12 (1/36) = 2.78%

Point established:
4,5,6,8,9,10 = 66.67%

After Point Established

Your number becomes don't come point
Bet moves to number box (behind)

Waiting for:
7 rolls: YOU WIN
Point repeats: YOU LOSE

This is "wrong" betting
You want 7, others don't

Laying Odds on Don't Come

How Lay Odds Work

After don't come point established:
Can place lay odds (bet more)

Lay odds = betting MORE to win less
Because you're favored after point

Payout structure:
Point 4/10: Lay 2 to win 1 (2:1)
Point 5/9: Lay 3 to win 2 (3:2)
Point 6/8: Lay 6 to win 5 (6:5)

House edge on lay odds: 0%

Lay Odds Strategy

Example: $10 don't come, point is 4

Without lay odds:
Win: 66.67% chance at $10

With $20 lay odds (2:1):
Win: 66.67% chance at $20 total
($10 DC + $10 lay odds win)

Lay odds improve returns
Same 0% edge as taking odds

Probability Breakdown

Point Resolution Odds

Don't come point of 4:
Ways to make 4: 3
Ways to roll 7: 6
Win probability: 6/9 = 66.67%

Don't come point of 5:
Ways to make 5: 4
Ways to roll 7: 6
Win probability: 6/10 = 60%

Don't come point of 6:
Ways to make 6: 5
Ways to roll 7: 6
Win probability: 6/11 = 54.55%

House Edge Calculation

Don't come:
Win on 2: 1/36
Win on 3: 2/36
Push on 12: 1/36 (bar)
Lose on 7: 6/36
Lose on 11: 2/36
Point established: 24/36

Combined EV through all outcomes:
House edge = 1.36%

Slightly better than pass line (1.41%)!

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Basic Don't Come Bet

Scenario: $10 don't come bet

Roll 1: 5 rolls

Don't come point: 5
Bet moves to don't come 5 box
Waiting for 7 or 5

Roll 2: 9 rolls

Nothing—not your point, not 7

Roll 3: 7 rolls

Seven! You win $10
Point wasn't made
Don't come wins

Example 2: Multiple Don't Come Bets

Strategy: Keep betting don't come

Roll 1: $10 don't come, rolls 8

Don't come point: 8

Roll 2: $10 don't come, rolls 5

Don't come point: 5
Now have two working don't come bets

Roll 3: $10 don't come, rolls 7

Instant loss on new don't come
But 7 wins both previous bets!
Win: $10 + $10 = $20
Lose: $10 (the new one)
Net: +$10

Example 3: Laying Odds Calculation

Bet: $10 don't come, point of 6

Without lay odds:

Win: 54.55% × $10 = $5.45
Lose: 45.45% × $10 = -$4.55
EV: +$0.90 (expected from just point resolution)

With $30 lay odds (6:5):

Win: 54.55% × ($10 + $25) = $19.09
Lose: 45.45% × ($10 + $30) = -$18.18
Larger amounts at stake
Same positive EV, reduced house edge percentage

Example 4: Seven Out Impact

Situation: Pass line and don't come active

Pass line: $10 on point 8
Don't come: $10 on point 5
Don't come: $10 on point 9

7 rolls:
Pass line: LOSES $10
Don't come 5: WINS $10
Don't come 9: WINS $10

Net: +$10
Opposite outcomes offset

Don't Come vs Come Comparison

House Edge

Come bet: 1.41%
Don't come: 1.36%

Difference: 0.05%
Small but real advantage

Why different?
Bar 12 = push (not win)
That 1/36 protects casino slightly less

Win Rate Perception

Come bet:
Wins 22.22% immediately (7/11)
Point wins ~27%
Total win rate: ~49%

Don't come:
Wins 8.33% immediately (2/3)
Point resolution wins ~40%
Total win rate: ~48.5%

Don't come wins less often
But wins bigger on average
Same house edge impact

Social Considerations

The "Wrong Bettor" Label

Craps culture:
Table cheers when shooter makes points
Wrong bettors win when 7 rolls

Reality:
Mathematically valid strategy
Slightly better edge
Your money, your choice

Table Etiquette

Tips:
- Don't celebrate others' losses
- Keep reactions subdued
- Know you might face comments
- Some tables more tolerant

Alternative:
Play at empty tables
Play online
Accept the social cost

Common Mistakes

1. Not Laying Odds

Mistake: Don't come without lay odds Problem: Missing 0% edge opportunity Fix: Always lay when able

2. Laying Too Much

Mistake: Huge lay odds relative to bankroll Problem: Variance can be brutal Fix: Size appropriately

3. Arguing with Table

Mistake: Defend wrong betting vocally Problem: Creates hostile environment Fix: Bet quietly, collect quietly

4. Confusing with Don't Pass

Mistake: Think don't come = don't pass Problem: Similar but different timing Fix: Don't pass = before come out; don't come = after

Frequently Asked Questions

Is don't come betting smarter?

Mathematically, 1.36% beats 1.41%. Practically, the difference is negligible. Play what's comfortable.

Why is 12 barred instead of 2?

Casino choice. Some tables bar 2 instead. Result is the same—one tie outcome instead of player win.

Can I remove don't come bets?

Unlike come bets, yes. You can take down don't come bets (you're giving up advantage). Usually unwise to do so.

Why would I give up an advantaged position?

You wouldn't normally. But some players remove if they feel "heat" or change strategy.

Are lay odds different from taking odds?

Opposite betting direction. Lay = risk more to win less (when you're favored). Take = risk less to win more.

Is the dark side profitable?

Same long-term expectation as right-side betting. 1.36% edge still means house wins. Just different experience.

Pro Tips

• Lay full odds: Best additional bet in casino

• Quiet wins: Don't antagonize the table

• Know your math: 1.36% is real but small

• Multiple don't comes: 7 sweeps all points

• Bar understanding: 12 pushes, not wins

Related Calculators

• Craps Come Bet Calculator - Opposite strategy
• Craps Don't Pass Calculator - Similar dark side
• Craps Odds Calculator - All probabilities
• Craps Pass Line Calculator - Standard betting
• House Edge Calculator - Edge comparison

Conclusion

Don't come bets offer a slight mathematical edge over come bets—1.36% versus 1.41%. Our calculator shows the probabilities, lay odds calculations, and why contrarian craps betting is mathematically valid despite social challenges.

Calculate Don't Come Odds Now →

Betting "wrong" isn't wrong mathematically—it's marginally better. Our calculator quantifies the don't come advantage, helping you understand when betting against the shooter makes mathematical sense even if it doesn't make friends at the table.