Place 6 and 8 strategy is a simple way to bet the two most frequent box numbers in craps. Each number has 5 winning combinations against 6 combinations for the seven, and the usual payout is 7:6. The house edge is about 1.52%, which is good for a place bet but still negative.
Quick Facts
- 6 and 8 each have 5 dice combinations.
- A place 6 or 8 usually pays 7:6.
- Bet in $6 units: $6 wins $7, $12 wins $14.
- The house edge is about 1.52%.
- The bet loses when 7 rolls before the chosen number.
- You may place 6, 8, or both after a point is established.
- Pressing increases volatility faster than most players expect.
Plain Talk
The 6 and 8 are the strongest place numbers because they appear more often than 4, 5, 9, or 10. Only 7 appears more often.
That makes place 6 and 8 attractive to players who want action without diving into high-edge proposition bets. But the bet still pays less than true odds. The casino edge comes from that payout gap.
This page is about using 6 and 8 as a controlled strategy. For the basic mechanics, read Place 6 and Place 8. For the full mathematical comparison, read Place Bet House Edge.
For outside reference, the Wizard of Odds craps basics gives standard craps bet rules, the Wizard of Odds craps house-edge appendix shows the math behind common wagers, and the Massachusetts craps rules show how live-table wagers and dice procedure are controlled.
How It Works
After the come-out roll sets a point, you tell the dealer something like:
“Place the six and eight for twelve each.”
The dealer puts your chips in the 6 and 8 boxes. Those bets are not self-service bets. The dealer controls placement, payouts, presses, regressions, and removals.
| Bet | Correct unit | Usual payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place 6 | $6 | Wins $7 | About 1.52% |
| Place 8 | $6 | Wins $7 | About 1.52% |
| Place 5 | $5 | Wins $7 | About 4.00% |
| Place 9 | $5 | Wins $7 | About 4.00% |
| Place 4 | $5 | Wins $9 | About 6.67% |
| Place 10 | $5 | Wins $9 | About 6.67% |
The strategy choices are practical:
| Style | Example | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Flat betting | $6 each on 6 and 8 | Keeps exposure steady |
| Collect first | Win once before pressing | Slows bankroll swings |
| Press one unit | $6 to $12 after a hit | Builds action gradually |
| Regress after hit | Start $18 each, drop to $6 each after win | Chases early recovery, still risky |
| Same bet only | Always collect | Boring but controlled |
A clean beginner version is simple: place $6 or $12 each on 6 and 8, collect wins, and avoid adding field, hardways, and horn bets around them.
Craps Table Example
A player buys in for $300 at a $15 table. The point is 5.
The player says, “Place the six and eight for twelve each.”
Now the player has:
- $12 on place 6
- $12 on place 8
- $24 total working
The next rolls are 3, 8, 11, 6, 7.
Results:
| Roll | Result |
|---|---|
| 3 | No effect on place 6/8 |
| 8 | $12 place 8 wins $14 |
| 11 | No effect |
| 6 | $12 place 6 wins $14 |
| 7 | Both place bets lose, total $24 loss |
The player won $28 and lost $24, finishing $4 ahead on those place bets. A different short sequence could easily wipe both bets before either number appears.
From the Casino Side:
Dealers like place 6 and 8 because the payouts are standard and fast when players bet in proper units. Problems start when players hand in odd amounts, press unclearly, or call changes while the dice are moving.
The base dealer tracks which player owns which 6 and 8. The boxman watches payout accuracy and late-bet disputes. The stickman keeps the dice moving, which means unclear press calls can become a table-speed problem.
For game management, place 6 and 8 are healthy bets: low enough edge to keep players engaged, still profitable over time because payout is not true odds.
Common Mistakes
- Betting $5 on 6 or 8 and forcing awkward payouts.
- Pressing every hit without understanding total exposure.
- Calling “press it” after the dealer has already moved on.
- Thinking 6 and 8 are safe because they are frequent.
- Adding high-edge hard 6 and hard 8 because the numbers feel connected.
- Leaving bets working when you meant to turn them off.
- Confusing place bets with odds bets.
Hard Truth
The 6 and 8 are good craps bets because they are less bad, not because they are protected from the seven.
FAQ
Is placing 6 and 8 a good craps strategy?
It is one of the cleaner low-edge strategies, but it still has negative expectation. It reduces cost compared with many bets; it does not beat craps.
Why should 6 and 8 be bet in $6 units?
Because the usual payout is 7:6. A $6 bet wins $7, which keeps the payout clean and avoids rounding problems.
Should I press 6 and 8?
Only if you accept higher volatility. Pressing can create bigger wins, but it also leaves more money exposed to the next seven.
Are place 6 and 8 better than place 5 and 9?
Yes. Place 6 and 8 have about 1.52% house edge, while place 5 and 9 are about 4.00%.
Can I turn place 6 and 8 off?
Yes. Tell the dealer before the next roll. Different houses may handle come-out defaults differently, so say clearly whether you want them working.
Is this better than pass line with odds?
Pass line with odds usually has a lower combined edge, but place 6 and 8 are simpler for some players. Compare both with the craps odds calculator.
Deeper Insight
The strategic value of 6 and 8 comes from frequency. Each has five combinations:
| Number | Combinations |
|---|---|
| 6 | 1-5, 2-4, 3-3, 4-2, 5-1 |
| 8 | 2-6, 3-5, 4-4, 5-3, 6-2 |
| 7 | 1-6, 2-5, 3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1 |
The seven still has six combinations. That one-combination difference matters over thousands of resolved bets.
The true odds against hitting 6 before 7 are 6 to 5. A fair payout would be 6:5. But place 6 pays 7:6. That is close, but not equal.
| Bet | Fair relationship | Casino payout | Edge source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Place 6 | Risk 5 to win 6 equivalent | Pays 7 for 6 | Slight underpayment |
| Place 8 | Risk 5 to win 6 equivalent | Pays 7 for 6 | Slight underpayment |
This is why the bet is respectable but not free.
Formula / Calculation
P(6 before 7) = 5 / (5 + 6) = 5 / 11
P(7 before 6) = 6 / (5 + 6) = 6 / 11
Expected Value on $6 place 6:
EV = (5/11 × $7) - (6/11 × $6)
EV = $35/11 - $36/11 = -$1/11 = -$0.0909
House Edge = $0.0909 / $6 = 1.52% rounded
Formula Explanation in Plain English
Once only the 6 and 7 matter, the 7 has six ways and the 6 has five ways. The casino pays $7 on a $6 bet, which is close to fair but short by a small amount. That small shortage is the house edge.
Related Reading
Use the craps guide for the full table flow and craps odds for dice combinations. Read Place 6 and Place 8 for the base bet and Place Bet House Edge for the math. Compare this with Best Craps Bets and Craps House Edge. To model bet size, use the expected loss calculator or variance simulator. For the mental trap behind “low edge means safe,” read why low house edge does not mean safe.