Place 5 and Place 9 are craps bets that win if 5 or 9 rolls before 7. They usually pay 7:5 and carry about a 4.00% house edge. They are simple, but they are noticeably more expensive than Place 6 and Place 8 because 5 and 9 appear less often.
Quick Facts
- The 5 and 9 each have 4 dice combinations.
- The 7 has 6 dice combinations.
- Place 5 and Place 9 usually pay 7:5.
- A $10 Place 5 pays $14 profit.
- The house edge is about 4.00%.
- Proper bet sizes are usually multiples of $5.
- They are not terrible, but they are not low-cost bets.
Plain Talk
Place 5 and Place 9 look like the same kind of bet as Place 6 and Place 8. Mechanically, they are. Mathematically, they are worse.
The 5 and 9 each have 4 ways to roll. The 7 has 6 ways to roll. That means the seven is 50% more likely than either number in the race that matters.
The casino pays 7:5. That means $5 wins $7, $10 wins $14, and $25 wins $35.
That payout is not enough to make the bet close to fair. The house edge lands around 4.00%, which is much higher than the 1.52% on Place 6/8.
That does not mean nobody should ever make the bet. It means the player should understand the price. If you want full context, compare this page with Place 6 and Place 8 and craps house edge. The Wizard of Odds craps basics gives standard payout structure, the house-edge appendix shows the 4.00% figure, and the derivation appendix is useful for expected-value checks.
How It Works
The procedure is simple.
- A point is on.
- You tell the dealer, “Place the five,” “Place the nine,” or “Place the five and nine.”
- The dealer positions your chips on the correct number.
- If your number rolls before 7, you win.
- If 7 rolls first, you lose.
- Other numbers do not decide the bet.
| Bet | Dice combinations | Loses against | Standard payout | Approx. house edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place 5 | 4 | 6 ways to roll 7 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| Place 9 | 4 | 6 ways to roll 7 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
Clean payouts:
| Bet amount | Win pays | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| $5 | $7 | Smallest clean unit on many layouts |
| $10 | $14 | Common beginner amount |
| $15 | $21 | Clean payout |
| $25 | $35 | Green-chip unit |
| $50 | $70 | Larger action, same edge |
The important point is that larger bets do not improve the price. A $50 Place 5 has the same house edge as a $5 Place 5. It only creates more expected loss in dollar terms.
Craps Table Example
You are playing a $15 table and the point is 8. You already have $18 on the 6 and $18 on the 8. After a few rolls, you want more coverage.
You say:
“Place the five and nine for fifteen each.”
Now your working bets are:
| Number | Bet | Payout if hit |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $15 | $21 |
| 6 | $18 | $21 |
| 8 | $18 | $21 |
| 9 | $15 | $21 |
This setup feels balanced because every hit pays $21. But the bets are not equal in cost. The 6 and 8 are better priced. The 5 and 9 carry a higher edge.
If the shooter rolls 9, you win $21 and your $15 stays up. If the next roll is 7, all four place bets lose. That is $66 cleared from the layout.
From the Casino Side:
Dealers handle Place 5 and Place 9 quickly because the payout is clean in $5 units. A $15 bet paying $21 is easy. A $25 bet paying $35 is easy. This helps table speed.
The boxman and floor still watch the sequence: was the bet booked before the roll, was it correctly placed, was the payout made at 7:5, and did the player request a press or take-down before the dice moved?
Place 5/9 also create player-memory disputes. A player may think the dealer forgot a bet after a seven-out because the layout had many small bets working. Proper dealer placement and verbal confirmation reduce those disputes.
The Massachusetts rules document is useful because it shows how regulated craps procedure defines accepted wagers and table control, not just math.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking Place 5/9 are nearly as good as Place 6/8.
- Covering 5, 6, 8, and 9 without realizing total action has jumped.
- Pressing 5/9 because they “need to catch up.”
- Betting too many numbers with a short bankroll.
- Confusing Place 5 with buying the 5.
- Treating a $21 payout as proof that the bet is strong.
- Forgetting that the house edge is per resolved bet, not per shooter.
Hard Truth
The 5 and 9 are not bad because they lose every time. They are bad because they pay a little too short every time the long run catches up.
FAQ
What does Place 5 mean in craps?
It means you are betting that 5 will roll before 7.
What does Place 9 mean in craps?
It means you are betting that 9 will roll before 7.
What does a $10 Place 5 pay?
A $10 Place 5 usually pays $14 profit.
What does a $15 Place 9 pay?
A $15 Place 9 usually pays $21 profit.
Is Place 5 better than Place 6?
No. Place 6 has a lower house edge because 6 appears more often and is better priced.
Are Place 5 and Place 9 identical mathematically?
Yes. Each has 4 dice combinations and the same standard payout.
Should beginners avoid Place 5 and 9?
Beginners do not have to avoid them completely, but they should understand that they cost much more than Place 6 and 8 over time.
Deeper Insight
The 5 and 9 are middle numbers, and that is exactly how they should be treated. They are not as poor as Place 4/10, but they are not as efficient as Place 6/8.
The true odds against rolling a 5 before 7 are 6 to 4, or 3 to 2. A fair payout on a $10 bet would be $15 profit. The casino pays $14.
That missing $1 on a $10 win pattern is enough to create a 4.00% house edge.
This is why payout comparison matters. A $10 Place 5 pays more profit than a $12 Place 6, but that does not make it a better bet. The Place 6 wins more often relative to the seven, and its payout is closer to fair.
Formula / Calculation
Dice combinations:
5 = 4 combinations
9 = 4 combinations
7 = 6 combinations
Probability that 5 rolls before 7:
P(5 before 7) = 4 / (4 + 6) = 4 / 10
Expected value on a $5 Place 5 paid $7:
EV = (4/10 × $7) - (6/10 × $5)
EV = $2.80 - $3.00 = -$0.20
House edge:
House Edge = $0.20 / $5 = 4.00%
Expected loss on $500 resolved Place 5 action:
Expected Loss = $500 × 0.04 = $20
Formula Explanation in Plain English
In the only rolls that matter, the 5 wins 4 times and the 7 wins 6 times. The casino pays $7 when you win a $5 bet, but the winning side does not happen often enough to overcome the short payout.
Related Reading
Read place bets explained before comparing individual numbers. Then compare Place 6 and Place 8 with Place 4 and Place 10. For the probability engine, use craps odds. For cost, check craps house edge and the expected loss calculator. If your plan is to cover more numbers after every hit, read why low house edge does not mean safe and test the risk with the variance simulator.