What Are Place Bets in Craps?
Place bets are among the most straightforward wagers in craps — you pick a number and bet that it will be rolled before a 7. No come out roll phase, no contract rules, no complications. You tell the dealer which number you want, they place your chips in the corresponding box, and you wait for the dice to decide.
The six available Place bet numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. However, not all Place bets are created equal. The house edge ranges from an attractive 1.52% on the 6 and 8 to a steep 6.67% on the 4 and 10. Understanding which Place bets offer value — and which are traps — is essential for any craps strategy.
Place Bet Payouts and House Edge
| Number | True Odds | Casino Payout | House Edge | Correct Bet Increment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6:5 | 7:6 | 1.52% | Multiples of £6 |
| 8 | 6:5 | 7:6 | 1.52% | Multiples of £6 |
| 5 | 3:2 | 7:5 | 4.00% | Multiples of £5 |
| 9 | 3:2 | 7:5 | 4.00% | Multiples of £5 |
| 4 | 2:1 | 9:5 | 6.67% | Multiples of £5 |
| 10 | 2:1 | 9:5 | 6.67% | Multiples of £5 |
Why Place 6 and 8 Are the Smart Play
The 6 and 8 are each rolled 5 out of every 36 rolls, making them the second and third most frequent numbers after 7. Combined, they appear on 10 out of 36 rolls — meaning on any given roll where a 6, 7, or 8 could appear, you have a 10:6 split (62.5% of the relevant outcomes go your way).
At 1.52% house edge, Place 6 and Place 8 sit comfortably in the top tier of craps bets — better than most table games and only marginally worse than the Pass Line at 1.41%.
The 6 and 8 Strategy
Many experienced craps players use a simple strategy of placing the 6 and 8 as their primary bets. Here is how it works:
- Wait for a point to be established (or bet immediately if you prefer).
- Place £6 each on 6 and 8 (£12 total at risk).
- Each hit pays £7 (7:6 payout on £6).
- After two hits (£14 collected), you have recovered your initial £12 investment plus £2 profit.
- Everything from the third hit onward is pure profit.
- When a 7 rolls, you lose both bets (£12) and start again.
Expected Win Rate
With Place 6 and 8 both active, you win on 10 out of 36 rolls (27.78%) and lose on 6 out of 36 rolls (16.67%). The remaining 20 rolls are pushes (they do not affect your Place bets). This means you win approximately 1.67 times for every loss — a satisfying hit frequency that keeps the game engaging.
Why You Should Avoid Placing 4 and 10
Place bets on 4 and 10 carry a 6.67% house edge — more than four times higher than Place 6 and 8. The reason is simple: the payout of 9:5 is significantly below the true odds of 2:1.
If you want to bet on 4 or 10, consider a Buy bet instead. A Buy 4 or Buy 10 pays true odds (2:1) minus a 5% commission, resulting in a 4.76% house edge — nearly 2% better than the Place bet on the same numbers. Some casinos only collect the commission on wins, further reducing the effective edge.
Place Bet Timing and Control
One major advantage of Place bets over Pass Line/Come bets is control. Place bets are not contract bets, which means:
- You can remove them at any time. Simply tell the dealer “take down my 6” and your chips are returned.
- You can turn them off. Say “off on my numbers” and your Place bets will not be active for the next roll (or rolls) but remain on the table. This is commonly done during come out rolls.
- You can increase (press) them. After a win, you can “press” your bet — typically doubling it — to increase your action.
This flexibility makes Place bets ideal for players who want to manage their exposure dynamically. You can turn bets off when you have a bad feeling, take them down when your win goal is reached, or press them when a shooter is rolling well.
Press and Regression Strategies
Full Press
After a win, double your Place bet. A £6 Place 6 pays £7 — add £5 from your payout to your existing £6 bet, making it £12. The next hit pays £14. This aggressive approach lets you ride a hot streak, but a 7 at any point costs you more.
Half Press
A more conservative version: increase your bet by half after a win. A £6 Place 6 pays £7 — add £3 to make it £9 (rounded to the nearest multiple for proper payout). You grow your action whilst keeping more profit in your rack.
Regression Strategy
Start with larger Place bets (e.g., £30 on 6 and £30 on 8). After the first hit (£35 payout), regress both bets to £6 each. You have locked in profit and now have minimal exposure. This is particularly effective for short sessions where you want to secure a win quickly. Full analysis in our strategy guide.
Place Bets vs Come Bets: Which Is Better?
| Factor | Place 6/8 | Come Bet (on 6/8) |
|---|---|---|
| House Edge | 1.52% | 1.41% (+ 0% Odds) |
| Come Out Phase Risk | None — bet goes directly to number | Yes — can win/lose on 7, 11, 2, 3, 12 |
| Odds Available? | No | Yes — 0% house edge |
| Contract Bet? | No — fully controllable | Yes — cannot remove |
| Can Be Turned Off? | Yes | No |
Come bets with Odds are mathematically superior due to the zero-edge Odds component. However, Place bets offer superior flexibility — you can remove, turn off, press, or regress them at will. Many players use a combination: Pass Line + Odds as the core bet, with Place 6 and 8 for additional coverage. For more on Come bets, see our Come and Don’t Come guide.
Place Bets at Online Craps
Online craps makes Place betting straightforward. Most interfaces have clearly labelled number boxes where you click to place your bet. Some key differences from live play:
- Automatic bet sizing: Online platforms typically handle bet increments for you, ensuring correct multiples.
- Easy on/off toggle: A single click turns Place bets on or off for the next roll.
- No dealer interaction: You place and remove bets yourself — no need to call out instructions.
- Lower minimums: Many UK online craps sites allow Place bets starting at £1, compared to £5-£10 minimums at live tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Place bet in craps?
Place 6 and Place 8 are the best Place bets with a house edge of 1.52%. The numbers 6 and 8 are each rolled 5 out of 36 times, making them the most frequent outcomes after 7. All other Place bets carry significantly higher edges.
Should I place all six numbers?
No. Placing all six numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) exposes you to the high house edges on 4, 5, 9, and 10. Stick to 6 and 8 for the best value. If you want additional coverage, consider adding a Pass Line bet with Odds rather than Place bets on less favourable numbers.
When should I turn off my Place bets?
Traditionally, Place bets are turned off during come out rolls because a 7 on the come out would lose your Place bets. However, since 7 is always the most likely outcome on any roll, some players leave them working. It is a matter of preference — turning them off during come out rolls reduces your total exposure.
What does it mean to press a Place bet?
Pressing means increasing your bet after a win, typically by doubling it. You use part of your winnings to increase the bet and keep the rest. For example, a £6 Place 6 wins £7 — you give back £6 to double your bet to £12 and keep £1 profit. This aggressive approach maximises returns during winning streaks but increases losses when a 7 appears.
Is a Buy bet better than a Place bet?
For 4 and 10, yes — Buy bets pay true odds minus 5% commission (4.76% edge vs 6.67% for Place). For 6 and 8, no — Place bets are much better (1.52% vs 4.76%). For 5 and 9, the Place bet (4.00%) is marginally better than the Buy bet (4.76%), though some casinos with win-only vig make the Buy bet competitive.
Can I make Place bets before the come out roll?
Technically, Place bets require a point to be established. However, you can tell the dealer to place your bets and they will be “off” during the come out roll. Once a point is set, they become active. At online craps, the interface usually handles this automatically. For a complete guide to all craps bets, see our detailed breakdown.
What is the difference between Place bets and the Field bet?
Place bets are multi-roll wagers — they stay active until your number or 7 is rolled. The Field bet is a one-roll wager that wins or loses on the very next roll. Place bets on 6 and 8 have a much lower house edge (1.52%) compared to the Field bet (2.78% or 5.56%). They serve different purposes in a betting strategy.
How much should I bet on Place 6 and 8?
Always bet in multiples of £6 to receive the correct 7:6 payout. If you bet £5 on Place 6, the casino rounds down the payout to even money — dramatically increasing the effective house edge. The minimum proper Place 6 or 8 bet is £6.
