Place bet house edge depends on the number. Place 6 and 8 are about 1.52%, Place 5 and 9 are about 4.00%, and Place 4 and 10 are about 6.67%. The bet looks simple because you pick a number, but the payout gap changes the price dramatically.
Quick Facts
- Place bets win when your chosen number rolls before 7.
- Place 6 and 8 pay 7 to 6 and have about 1.52% house edge.
- Place 5 and 9 pay 7 to 5 and have about 4.00% house edge.
- Place 4 and 10 pay 9 to 5 and have about 6.67% house edge.
- The 6 and 8 appear more often than 5, 9, 4, or 10.
- Place bets can usually be turned off or taken down.
- Place bets are easier than Come bets but usually cost more by percentage.
Plain Talk
A place bet is a bet that one box number will roll before a 7. The available numbers are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10.
The stronger place bets are 6 and 8 because those numbers have 5 combinations each. The weakest common place bets are 4 and 10 because those numbers have only 3 combinations each and the casino payout is short compared with true odds.
For basic mechanics, read place bets explained. This page is only about house edge. For broader context, use the craps guide, craps odds, and craps house edge.
The Wizard of Odds craps basics lists place-bet house edges, the Wizard of Odds craps appendix shows expected-return structure, and the Massachusetts craps rules show how craps wagers and payouts are handled in a regulated table-game format.
How It Works
A place bet resolves only when your number or 7 rolls. Other numbers do nothing.
| Place Number | Ways to Roll Number | Ways to Roll 7 | Common Payout | Approx. House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| 8 | 5 | 6 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | 7 to 5 | 4.00% |
| 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
| 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 to 5 | 6.67% |
The payout is the problem. True odds would pay more:
| Number | True Odds | Common Place Payout | Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2 to 1 | 9 to 5 | Paid short |
| 5 or 9 | 3 to 2 | 7 to 5 | Paid short |
| 6 or 8 | 6 to 5 | 7 to 6 | Paid slightly short |
That shortfall is the house edge.
Craps Table Example
You place the 6 and 8 for $12 each. The dealer sets the bets in the box and says, “Six and eight.”
If 6 rolls before 7, your $12 Place 6 wins $14. If 8 rolls before 7, your $12 Place 8 wins $14. If 7 rolls first, both bets lose.
Now compare that with a $10 Place 4. If 4 rolls before 7, it pays $18. True odds would be 2 to 1, or $20 on a $10 bet. The casino keeps that $2 gap in the payout structure. That is why Place 4 is much more expensive than Place 6.
From the Casino Side:
Place bets are dealer-controlled wagers. Players do not put them directly in the box. The base dealer books them, positions them by player, presses or pays them, and removes them on a seven-out.
The boxman watches for correct placement, correct odds, proper verbal calls, and late betting. Place bets can create disputes because several players may have different amounts on the same number. The dealer’s hand positioning and verbal confirmation matter.
From a casino management view, Place 6 and 8 are solid player-value bets but still profitable at volume. Place 4 and 10 are more expensive for the player unless buying the number is allowed with favorable commission rules.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking all place bets have the same house edge.
- Placing 4 or 10 because they pay more without checking why.
- Making odd bet amounts that create awkward payouts.
- Forgetting that place bets usually come down on a seven-out.
- Pressing place bets automatically after every hit.
- Confusing place bets with Come bets.
- Treating Place 6 and 8 as “safe” because they have relatively low edge.
Hard Truth
The layout makes all box numbers look equal. The dice do not. Place 6 and 8 are playable. Place 4 and 10 are a price trap unless you know exactly why you are there.
FAQ
Which place bets have the lowest house edge?
Place 6 and Place 8 have the lowest common place-bet edge, about 1.52%.
What is the house edge on Place 5 and 9?
About 4.00%, because the payout is shorter than true odds.
What is the house edge on Place 4 and 10?
About 6.67% with the common 9 to 5 payout.
Are place bets better than Pass Line bets?
Usually no by house edge. Pass Line is about 1.41%, while Place 6 and 8 are about 1.52% and the others are higher.
Why do players like place bets?
They are simple, flexible, and easy to control. You pick a number and can usually take the bet down or turn it off.
Should I place every number?
That creates more total action and usually more expected loss. Covering the table feels safe, but it exposes more chips.
Are place bets working on the come-out roll?
Usually they are off by default on the come-out unless the player asks for them to work. House procedures can vary.
Deeper Insight
Place bets are a perfect example of why payout language matters.
A player hears “Place 4 pays 9 to 5” and sees a bigger payout than Place 6. That feels attractive. But the number 4 is harder to roll than 6. There are only 3 combinations for 4 and 6 combinations for 7. The 7 is twice as likely as the 4.
A fair payout would be 2 to 1. A $10 true-odds bet on 4 would pay $20. The place bet pays $18. That $2 gap is not decoration. It is the casino edge.
For 6 and 8, the gap is smaller. True odds are 6 to 5. On a $12 bet, true odds would pay $14.40. The casino pays $14. The house edge exists, but it is much tighter.
This is why serious craps advice usually separates place bets by number instead of saying “place bets” as one category.
Formula / Calculation
P(event) = favorable dice combinations / 36
Expected Value = (Probability of Win × Net Win) - (Probability of Loss × Stake)
House Edge = -Player EV / Initial StakeExample: $12 Place 6 paying $14.
Winning combinations for 6 = 5
Losing combinations for 7 = 6
Probability of win before 7 = 5 / 11
Probability of loss before 6 = 6 / 11
EV = (5/11 × $14) - (6/11 × $12)
EV = $6.36 - $6.55 = -$0.18 approx.
House Edge = $0.18 / $12 ≈ 1.52%Example: $10 Place 4 paying $18.
Winning combinations for 4 = 3
Losing combinations for 7 = 6
EV = (3/9 × $18) - (6/9 × $10)
EV = $6.00 - $6.67 = -$0.67 approx.
House Edge = $0.67 / $10 ≈ 6.67%Formula Explanation in Plain English
The bet only cares about your number and the 7. Count how often your number appears compared with the 7, then compare that risk to the payout. When the payout is lower than the true risk deserves, the difference becomes the house edge.
Related Reading
Use place bets explained for mechanics, then compare specific pages for Place 6 and 8, Place 5 and 9, and Place 4 and 10. For broader cost comparison, read craps house edge and test numbers with the house edge calculator or expected loss calculator. If you cover many numbers at once, check craps variance and the variance simulator.