Pass and Come
Pass Line and Come have a house edge of about 1.414% per initial wager under standard rules. They are mathematically equivalent once a Come bet begins its own come-out roll.
The wager cannot normally be removed after a point is established because the player would otherwise avoid the unfavorable part of the contract.
Don’t Pass and Don’t Come
With 12 barred, the edge is about 1.364% per initial wager. The lower percentage does not mean every session will be less volatile or socially comfortable at a live table.
Lay odds behind the Don’t side risk more than they win because seven is more likely than any individual point.
Taking odds
Pass/Come odds pay according to the true point probability: commonly 2:1 on 4 or 10, 3:2 on 5 or 9, and 6:5 on 6 or 8. Because payout matches probability, expected value of that added portion is zero.
Casinos cap odds using formats such as 3-4-5x, 5x, 10x, or higher.
The denominator issue
Adding odds leaves expected loss from the line wager unchanged while increasing total action. The blended edge per total dollars wagered falls, but bankroll swings grow.
Do not describe this as making the original bet safer. It improves the price per dollar of combined action while putting more dollars in play.
Practical checklist
- Choose Pass/Come or Don’t deliberately
- Confirm the odds multiple
- Use correct point payouts
- Distinguish edge per line bet from edge per total action
- Budget for the larger exposure
Rules, probabilities, and payouts apply only to the model stated on this page. Posted casino rules control when they differ. Last reviewed September 20, 2026.