Craps Place Bet Calculator: Find the Best Numbers to Bet

Place bets let you bet on specific numbers being rolled before a 7. Our free calculator shows exact payouts, true odds, and house edge for every place bet—helping you make the smartest wagers at the craps table.

What Is a Place Bet in Craps?

A place bet is a wager that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. Unlike come bets, place bets can be made at any time and can be removed or reduced at will.

Quick Answer: Place bets on 6 and 8 have the lowest house edge (1.52%) among place bets. They pay 7:6, so bet in multiples of $6 for even payouts. Place bets on 4 and 10 have a 6.67% house edge—avoid these or "buy" them instead.

How to Use Our Free Place Bet Calculator

Use the Craps Place Bet Calculator →

Enter your bet amount and see exact payouts for each place number.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select Number: Choose 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10

2. Enter Bet Amount: Input your wager

3. View Payout: See what you'll win if number hits

4. Compare House Edge: Understand which bets are best

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Place Number	Number wagered on	6
Bet Amount	Size of wager	$30
Payout Odds	What bet pays	7:6
Payout Amount	Winnings if hit	$35
House Edge	Casino advantage	1.52%

Place Bet Payouts and Odds

Complete Place Bet Reference

Number	True Odds	Payout	House Edge	Best Bet Size
4	2:1	9:5	6.67%	Multiples of $5
5	3:2	7:5	4.00%	Multiples of $5
6	6:5	7:6	1.52%	Multiples of $6
8	6:5	7:6	1.52%	Multiples of $6
9	3:2	7:5	4.00%	Multiples of $5
10	2:1	9:5	6.67%	Multiples of $5

Why 6 and 8 Are Best

The 6 and 8 each have 5 ways to roll (more than any non-7 number):

• 6: 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1
• 8: 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2

Combined with the 7:6 payout, they offer the lowest house edge among place bets.

Proper Bet Sizing

For 6 and 8: Bet in multiples of $6

• $6 wins $7
• $12 wins $14
• $30 wins $35
• $60 wins $70

For 4, 5, 9, 10: Bet in multiples of $5

• $5 on 5/9 wins $7
• $5 on 4/10 wins $9
• $10 on 5/9 wins $14
• $10 on 4/10 wins $18

Place Bet Strategy

The 6 and 8 Strategy

Focus on place 6 and 8:

• Lowest house edge (1.52%)
• Most frequent hits (5 ways each)
• Easy to calculate winnings

Example: $12 each on 6 and 8 = $24 in action

• If 6 hits: Win $14, still have $12 on 8
• If 8 hits: Win $14, still have $12 on 6
• If 7 hits: Lose $24

Press and Regress

Press (increase bet with winnings):

1. Win $14 on 6
2. Add $12 to 6 (now $24)
3. Take $2 profit

Regress (reduce after win):

1. Start with $30 on 6
2. Win $35
3. Reduce to $12, pocket $35

Iron Cross Strategy

Cover 5, 6, 8, and Field simultaneously:

• $5 on 5
• $6 each on 6 and 8
• $5 on Field

You win on any roll except 7. House edge is higher than 6/8 alone, but provides action on every roll.

Real-World Place Bet Examples

Example 1: Conservative 6 and 8

Bet: $12 each on 6 and 8 ($24 total)

Scenarios:

• 6 or 8 hits: Win $14 (58.3% ROI on that number)
• 7 hits: Lose $24
• Any other number: No action

Expected value per roll: -$0.36 (1.52% of $24)

Example 2: Across the Board

Bet: $5 each on 4, 5, 9, 10 + $6 each on 6, 8 = $32 total

Payouts if hit:

• 4 or 10: $9
• 5 or 9: $7
• 6 or 8: $7

Analysis: Diversified action but higher combined house edge than 6/8 alone.

Example 3: Inside Numbers Only

Bet: $5 each on 5, 9 + $6 each on 6, 8 = $22 total

Rationale: Covers the four most frequent numbers after 7.

Place Bets vs. Buy Bets

When to Buy Instead of Place

Buy bets pay true odds but charge 5% commission:

Number	Place Edge	Buy Edge	Better Choice
4	6.67%	4.76%	Buy
5	4.00%	4.76%	Place
6	1.52%	4.76%	Place
8	1.52%	4.76%	Place
9	4.00%	4.76%	Place
10	6.67%	4.76%	Buy

Summary: Buy 4 and 10, Place 5, 6, 8, 9.

Commission Timing

Some casinos charge commission only on wins. This dramatically improves buy bet value:

• Buy 4/10 (commission on win): 1.67% house edge
• Much better than 6.67% place bet edge

Common Place Bet Mistakes

1. Not Betting Correct Amounts: Betting $5 on 6 loses 83¢ in commission. Always bet multiples of $6 on 6/8.

2. Overweighting 4 and 10: These have the worst odds. Place small or buy them instead.

3. Leaving Bets Up Too Long: Place bets can be taken down anytime. Remove them before cold streaks.

4. Ignoring the 7: The 7 rolls 16.67% of the time—most common outcome. Respect it.

5. Spreading Too Thin: Better to have meaningful bets on 6/8 than small bets across all numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take down a place bet?

Yes. Unlike contract bets (pass/don't pass), place bets can be removed or reduced at any time.

What's the difference between place and buy?

Place bets have set payouts (like 7:6 on 6/8). Buy bets pay true odds but charge 5% commission.

Should I place inside or outside numbers?

Inside numbers (5, 6, 8, 9) hit more frequently. Outside numbers (4, 10) pay more but are harder to hit.

Can I make place bets on the come-out roll?

Yes, but they're typically "off" during come-out unless you request "working." This protects you from a 7-out on the come-out.

What's the minimum place bet?

Usually $5 on 4, 5, 9, 10 and $6 on 6, 8. Table minimums vary.

How do place bets compare to pass line?

Pass line has lower house edge (1.41%) and allows free odds. Place bets offer flexibility—make or remove them anytime.

Advanced Place Bet Concepts

Same-Side Place Bets

Bet 6 and 8 together or 5 and 9 together for balanced action:

• 6 and 8: Both pay 7:6, same frequency
• 5 and 9: Both pay 7:5, same frequency

Regression Strategy

Start high, reduce after first win:

1. Place $30 each on 6 and 8 ($60)
2. First hit: Win $35
3. Reduce to $12 each ($24), pocket $35
4. Now playing with house money

Progression (Risky)

Increase bets after wins:

1. $6 on 6, wins $7
2. Press to $12, wins $14
3. Press to $24, wins $28

Warning: One 7 loses accumulated winnings.

Place Bet Expected Value

Per-Roll EV Calculation

Bet	Amount	House Edge	EV per Roll
Place 6	$30	1.52%	-$0.46
Place 8	$30	1.52%	-$0.46
Place 5	$25	4.00%	-$1.00
Place 4	$25	6.67%	-$1.67

Hourly Cost Estimation

At 100 rolls/hour with $30 on 6:

• Expected loss: $45.60/hour
• Higher than pass + odds but with more flexibility

Pro Tips for Place Betting

• Stick to 6 and 8: Best risk/reward in place betting

• Use proper increments: $6 on 6/8, $5 on others

• Take bets down during cold streaks: Unlike pass line, you can

• Consider buying 4/10: Better edge than placing them

• Manage your bankroll: Place bets can add up quickly across numbers

Related Craps Calculators

• Craps Pass Line Calculator - Pass line odds
• Craps Come Bet Calculator - Come bet strategy
• Craps Odds Calculator - Free odds behind bets
• Craps House Edge Calculator - Compare all bets
• Craps Probability Calculator - Roll probabilities

Conclusion

Place bets offer flexibility that pass/come bets don't—make them anytime, take them down anytime. Our free calculator shows exact payouts and house edge for every number, helping you focus on the best wagers: 6 and 8 with their 1.52% house edge.

Calculate Your Place Bet Payouts Now →

Master place betting, and you'll have a valuable tool in your craps arsenal. Remember: 6 and 8 are your friends, 4 and 10 are expensive, and the 7 is always lurking.