Craps: Understanding the Come Out Roll

In craps, the Come Out Roll is the very first dice roll of a new round, and it decides how the game will continue. If you are just starting with craps, learning what happens on this roll will help you follow the table action and understand why players cheer or groan at different results.

What Happens on the Come Out Roll?

The Come Out Roll begins a new round whenever no point is established, whether at the start of the game or after the previous round has ended. Before the roll, players place their main starting bets on the Pass Line or Don’t Pass Line. The total of the two dice then leads to one of three basic situations:

The round can end immediately with a win, loss, or push on Pass/Don’t Pass bets.
A point number is created and marked on the table.
A new Come Out Roll is needed if the previous one ended the round at once.

Number Groups on the Come Out Roll

Instead of remembering every outcome separately, it is easier to group the possible totals:

“Natural” results: 7 or 11. For Pass Line players, these are the dream outcomes on the Come Out Roll. A 7 or 11 means Pass Line bets win at once and the round is over, with a new Come Out Roll coming next. Don’t Pass bets lose on these totals.
“Craps” numbers: 2, 3, or 12. These totals are bad for Pass Line bets, which lose instantly. For Don’t Pass bets, rolling a 2 or 3 results in an immediate win, while a 12 is a push (no win, no loss). After resolving the result, that round ends, and a fresh Come Out Roll begins.
Point numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. When one of these numbers appears, it does not settle the main bets right away. Instead, that total becomes the point. In online games, the software highlights the point on the virtual layout, and the round continues with the same shooter attempting to roll that number again before a 7.

Why the Come Out Roll Matters

For craps players, the Come Out Roll is important because:

It is the only moment when Pass Line and Don’t Pass bets can win or lose immediately.
It tells you when a point phase starts and when it ends.
It marks the biggest excitement shift in the game, so knowing what each total means lets you follow the action with confidence.

Once you know this first roll, you will find it easier to learn extra bets that come later, such as Come bets or Place bets, because you understand when each round truly begins and ends.

FAQ

What happens to my Pass Line bet if the Come Out Roll sets a point?

Your Pass Line bet stays where it is and remains active. It then wins if the shooter rolls the point number again before rolling a 7.

Can I place a Come bet during the Come Out Roll?

No. Come bets only become available after a point has been set. The Come Out Roll is focused on starting the round and resolving Pass and Don’t Pass bets.