Big 6 and Big 8 Craps Calculator: The Sucker Bet Exposed

Big 6 and Big 8 are corner bets where you wager that 6 or 8 will appear before 7—but at even money instead of the 7:6 that Place bets offer. Our calculator reveals why this 9.09% house edge trap should never touch your chips.

What Are Big 6 and Big 8?

Big 6 and Big 8 are self-service bets in the corners of the craps layout. You bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before 7. They win at even money (1:1). This sounds fine until you realize Place 6/8 offers 7:6 for the exact same bet—making Big 6/8 objectively worse.

Quick Answer: Big 6/8 = bet 6 or 8 before 7. Pays even money (1:1). Same bet as Place 6/8 but worse payout. House edge: 9.09% vs 1.52% for Place 6/8. Same probability, different payout. Never bet Big 6/8. Always Place 6/8 instead. Classic sucker bet.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Big 6/8 Calculator →

Compare Big 6/8 to Place 6/8 bets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Bet Amount: Your wager

2. View Win Probability: 45.45%

3. See Big 6/8 Payout: Even money

4. Compare to Place 6/8: 7:6 payout

5. Calculate Loss Difference: Real cost

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Bet Amount	Your wager	$10
Win Probability	6 before 7	45.45%
Big 6/8 Payout	Even money	$10
Place 6/8 Payout	7:6	$11.67
Big 6/8 Edge	House advantage	9.09%
Place 6/8 Edge	House advantage	1.52%

The Mathematics

Win Probability

Rolling 6 before 7:

Ways to roll 6: 5
Ways to roll 7: 6
Total decisions: 11

P(6 wins) = 5/11 = 45.45%
P(7 wins) = 6/11 = 54.55%

Same for 8
Same for Place bet
Only payout differs

Big 6/8 House Edge

Even money payout:

Win 45.45%: +$10
Lose 54.55%: -$10

EV = 0.4545(10) + 0.5455(-10)
= 4.545 - 5.455
= -0.91 per $10
= -9.09%

Terrible house edge

Place 6/8 House Edge

7:6 payout:

Win 45.45%: +$11.67
Lose 54.55%: -$10

EV = 0.4545(11.67) + 0.5455(-10)
= 5.30 - 5.455
= -0.15 per $10
= -1.52%

Same bet, 6× better!

Direct Comparison

Side by Side

Big 6/8 vs Place 6/8:

| Aspect | Big 6/8 | Place 6/8 |
|--------|---------|-----------|
| Bet on | 6 or 8 | 6 or 8 |
| Win when | Before 7 | Before 7 |
| Probability | 45.45% | 45.45% |
| Payout | 1:1 | 7:6 |
| Edge | 9.09% | 1.52% |

IDENTICAL BET
DIFFERENT PAYOUT

Long-Term Impact

100 bets of $10 each:

Big 6/8:
Expected loss: $90.90

Place 6/8:
Expected loss: $15.20

Difference: $75.70 WASTED

Why would anyone bet Big 6/8?

Why Big 6/8 Exists

Historical Reasons

Origins:

Easy self-service bet
Players can place themselves
No dealer interaction needed
Prominently placed on layout

Casino Perspective

Why casinos keep it:

9.09% is very profitable
Some players don't know better
Convenient corner location
Tradition keeps it there

Player Psychology

Why people bet it:

Don't know Place bet exists
Think 1:1 is simpler
Shy about asking dealer
Corner placement is inviting

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Big 6 Win

Even money:

Bet: $10 Big 6
Rolls: 4, 9, 5, 8...
Roll: 2-4 (Six!)

Result: WIN $10

9.09% edge cost you
Should have won $11.67
Lost $1.67 in value

Example 2: The Comparison

Same outcome, different bets:

Player A: $12 Big 6
Player B: $12 Place 6

Roll: 4-2 (Six!)

Player A wins: $12
Player B wins: $14

Same bet, same risk
B got $2 more

Example 3: Session Impact

Real cost over time:

50 decisions on Big 6:
Win 23, Lose 27

Big 6 ($10 each):
Won: 23 × $10 = $230
Lost: 27 × $10 = $270
Net: -$40

Place 6 ($12 each):
Won: 23 × $14 = $322
Lost: 27 × $12 = $324
Net: -$2

Difference: $38 lost to Big 6

Example 4: Dealer Education

Learning moment:

You: Place $10 Big 6
Dealer: "Sir, you can Place 6 instead"
Dealer: "Same bet, pays 7 to 6"
You: "What's the difference?"
Dealer: "You'll win $11.67 instead of $10"

Good dealers will tell you
Listen to them

Strategy: Just Say No

The Only Strategy

Big 6/8 strategy:

Step 1: Never bet it
Step 2: Bet Place 6/8 instead
Step 3: There is no step 3

That's the entire strategy

Place 6/8 Mechanics

How to Place 6/8:

Give chips to dealer
Say "Place the 6" or "Place the 8"
Bet in $6 increments
Dealer places for you

Wins: 7:6 ($7 per $6)
Much better value

Bet Sizing

Place 6/8 sizing:

$6 wins $7
$12 wins $14
$18 wins $21
$30 wins $35

Bet in $6 multiples
Ensures proper payout

Common Mistakes

1. Not Knowing Place Exists

Mistake: Thinking Big 6/8 is only option Problem: Missing 7:6 payout Fix: Learn Place bets

2. Convenience Over Value

Mistake: Self-service feels easier Problem: 9.09% edge is brutal Fix: Take 5 seconds, ask dealer

3. Following Others

Mistake: Copying Big 6/8 bettors Problem: They're also wrong Fix: Know your own strategy

4. Minimum Bet Issues

Mistake: "I can't afford Place" Problem: Place 6 is $6 minimum Fix: If you can bet $5, you can bet $6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Big 6/8 ever a good bet?

No. Place 6/8 is the exact same bet with a better payout. There is no scenario where Big 6/8 is correct.

Why do casinos still offer Big 6/8?

Profit. 9.09% edge is highly profitable. Some players don't know better. It's tradition on the layout.

What's the minimum for Place 6/8?

Usually $6 (to pay $7). Big 6/8 may accept $5, but even at $6, Place is vastly superior.

Will the dealer tell me about Place bets?

Good dealers often do. If not, ask: "Can I Place the 6 instead?" They'll help.

Are Big 6/8 ever removed from tables?

Some casinos have removed them. Many keep them for profit from uninformed players.

Is Big 6 the same as Big 8?

Identical mathematics. Both 45.45% to win. Both pay 1:1. Both are sucker bets. Place either for 7:6.

Pro Tips

• Never bet Big 6/8: 9.09% edge

• Always Place 6/8: 1.52% edge

• 6× better value: Same bet, better pay

• $6 minimum: For proper 7:6 payout

• Ask the dealer: They'll help you

Related Calculators

• Craps Odds Calculator - Main game
• Place Bets Calculator - Better alternative
• Pass Line Calculator - Compare
• House Edge Calculator - Compare games
• Expected Value Calculator - Bet analysis

Conclusion

Big 6 and Big 8 are identical to Place 6/8 in every way—except they pay even money instead of 7:6. Our calculator exposes this 9.09% vs 1.52% house edge trap and shows why five seconds with the dealer saves you 6× in expected losses.

Calculate Big 6/8 vs Place 6/8 Now →

That convenient corner bet costs you $1.67 on every $10 win compared to Place bets. Our calculator proves Big 6/8 is the purest sucker bet on the craps table.