Place 4 and Place 10 are craps bets that win if 4 or 10 rolls before 7. They usually pay 9:5 and carry about a 6.67% house edge. That is expensive. On many tables, buying the 4 or 10 is mathematically better than placing them, especially when commission is charged only on wins.
Quick Facts
- The 4 and 10 each have 3 dice combinations.
- The 7 has 6 dice combinations.
- Place 4 and Place 10 usually pay 9:5.
- True odds would be 2:1.
- The place-bet house edge is about 6.67%.
- These are the weakest standard place bets.
- Buy bets can be better depending on commission rules.
Plain Talk
The 4 and 10 are edge numbers. They sit at the outside of the box-number layout, and they roll less often than 5, 6, 8, or 9.
Each has only 3 combinations. The 7 has 6 combinations. That means the 7 is twice as likely as the 4 and twice as likely as the 10 in the race that decides the bet.
A fair payout would be 2:1. If you risk $5, fair odds would pay $10 profit. The standard place payout is 9:5, so a $5 bet wins $9. That missing dollar is the problem.
This is why Place 4 and Place 10 are often a poor deal. They look like normal place bets, but their pricing is harsh. The Wizard of Odds house-edge table lists the place 4/10 edge at about 6.67%, while the basic craps payout guide shows the standard 9:5 payout. For table procedure and accepted wager wording, see the Massachusetts craps and mini-craps rules.
Scope guard: this page is about placing the 4 and 10. For the alternative version, read buy bets explained. For the broader family, read place bets explained.
How It Works
The mechanic is the same as every place bet:
- A point is on.
- You ask the dealer to place the 4, the 10, or both.
- Your number must roll before 7.
- If your number rolls, you win.
- If 7 rolls first, you lose.
- Other rolls do not resolve the bet.
| Bet | Dice combinations | Losing 7 combinations | Standard payout | True odds | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place 4 | 3 | 6 | 9:5 | 2:1 | 6.67% |
| Place 10 | 3 | 6 | 9:5 | 2:1 | 6.67% |
Clean standard payouts:
| Bet amount | Place payout | Fair 2:1 payout | Short by |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $9 | $10 | $1 |
| $10 | $18 | $20 | $2 |
| $25 | $45 | $50 | $5 |
| $50 | $90 | $100 | $10 |
That “short by” column is the entire story. The bet is not bad because the 4 never rolls. The 4 rolls exactly as probability says it should. The bet is bad because the payout is too short.
Craps Table Example
You are at a $10 table. The point is 6. You have $12 on the 8 and decide to add the outside numbers.
You say:
“Place the four and ten for ten each.”
Your dealer books:
| Bet | Amount | Pays if hit | Loses to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place 4 | $10 | $18 | 7 |
| Place 10 | $10 | $18 | 7 |
The shooter rolls 10. You win $18 and your $10 stays up. Two rolls later, the shooter rolls 7. The dealer clears both outside bets.
The hit felt good. But look at the race: you were betting numbers with only 3 combinations each against a 7 with 6 combinations. The payout did not fully compensate that risk.
From the Casino Side:
Dealers know the 4 and 10 attract confident calls. Players like outside numbers because the payouts are bigger. Bigger visible payouts create excitement, even when the price is worse.
The floor cares about whether the player said “place” or “buy.” That word matters. A $25 Place 10 and a $25 Buy 10 are not the same bet. They can have different payout treatment and commission rules.
Good dealers repeat the instruction when needed: “Buying the ten?” or “Placing the ten?” That protects the table from disputes. Surveillance also cares because a wrong booking can change the payout and create a complaint after the result is known.
Common Mistakes
- Placing the 4 or 10 when buying would be better under that house’s rules.
- Thinking a higher payout means a better bet.
- Forgetting that the 7 is twice as likely as either number.
- Betting both 4 and 10 with a bankroll sized for only one.
- Saying “outside numbers” without clarifying exact amounts.
- Pressing hard after one hit because the payout looks large.
- Comparing Place 4/10 to Place 6/8 by profit only, not probability.
Hard Truth
The 4 and 10 are where craps makes many players pay for excitement. The payout is bigger because the number is harder. The edge is bigger because the payout is still not big enough.
FAQ
What does Place 4 mean in craps?
It means you are betting that 4 will roll before 7.
What does Place 10 mean in craps?
It means you are betting that 10 will roll before 7.
What does a $10 Place 4 pay?
A $10 Place 4 usually pays $18 profit.
What should Place 4 pay at true odds?
True odds would pay 2:1, so a $10 fair payout would be $20 profit.
Why are Place 4 and 10 bad bets?
Because they pay 9:5 instead of true odds of 2:1, creating about a 6.67% house edge.
Is buying the 4 or 10 better?
Often yes, especially when the commission is charged only on wins. Read the table’s buy-bet rules carefully.
Are 4 and 10 equally likely?
Yes. Each has 3 combinations out of 36.
Deeper Insight
Place 4 and Place 10 are a clean lesson in casino pricing.
The true odds are easy: the 7 has 6 ways and the 4 has 3 ways. That is a 2-to-1 disadvantage. If the casino paid 2:1, the bet would have no house edge before operational constraints.
Instead, the place payout is 9:5. That means $5 wins $9 instead of $10. On a small bet, one dollar looks minor. Across thousands of resolved bets, it is everything.
This is also why players need to separate three questions:
| Question | Correct focus |
|---|---|
| Does the 4 hit sometimes? | Yes, of course. |
| Is the payout exciting? | Yes, bigger than 6/8. |
| Is the price good? | No, not as a place bet. |
A bet can hit, feel good, and still be overpriced.
Formula / Calculation
Dice combinations:
4 = 3 combinations
10 = 3 combinations
7 = 6 combinations
Probability that 4 rolls before 7:
P(4 before 7) = 3 / (3 + 6) = 3 / 9 = 1 / 3
Expected value on a $5 Place 4 paid $9:
EV = (1/3 × $9) - (2/3 × $5)
EV = $3.00 - $3.3333 = -$0.3333
House edge:
House Edge = $0.3333 / $5 = 6.67%
Expected loss on $500 resolved Place 4 action:
Expected Loss = $500 × 0.0667 = $33.35
Formula Explanation in Plain English
When only 4 and 7 matter, the 4 wins one-third of the time and the 7 wins two-thirds of the time. A $5 bet wins $9 when it succeeds but loses $5 twice as often. That gap creates the high edge.
Related Reading
Start with place bets explained and compare this page with Place 6 and Place 8 and Place 5 and Place 9. For the alternative pricing model, read buy bets explained. For the full math, use craps odds, craps house edge, and the house edge calculator. If you are chasing larger payouts because the table feels cold, read why low house edge does not mean safe.