Craps Place Bet: Odds, Payouts, and Strategy

Updated on

April 22, 2026

Place bets are one of the most popular wagers at the craps table, and for good reason. You pick a number, the dealer sets your chips, and you win the moment that number rolls before a 7.

Unlike pass line or come bets, place bets give you immediate action on the exact number you want. You'll learn which numbers are worth your money, how payouts actually shake out, and why the 6 and 8 get the most action from players who know what they're doing.

What Are Place Bets in Craps

With place bets, you're betting a specific number, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 rolls before a 7 shows up. You can make a place bet anytime after the point is established, meaning the puck shows "on." When your number hits, you win immediately. No waiting for two rolls, no going through a come-out phase first.

Here's what makes place bets so popular: you're in control. You pick the number. You decide when to bet. And you can add, remove, or adjust your wager between any roll.

Immediate action: Your bet is live on the very next roll after you place it.
Flexible timing: Call your bet on or off whenever you want.
Standalone wager: No pass line or come bet required first.

The trade-off is a slightly higher house edge compared to backing a pass line bet with odds. But if you want to pick your number and cash out fast, place bets are exactly where you want to be.

Which Numbers Can You Place Bet On

Six numbers are available for place betting: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Each number has different odds of showing before a 7, and that's why the payouts and house edge change. Understanding how these numbers group tells you exactly where your money works hardest.

Place 4 and Place 10

The 4 and 10 are the hardest place bet numbers to hit. Only three dice combinations make a 4 (1-3, 2-2, 3-1), and three make a 10 (4-6, 5-5, 6-4). Compare that to six combinations for a 7, and you can see why players call the 4 and 10 "outside numbers." The odds aren't great, so the casino pays more when you win.

Place 5 and Place 9

The 5 and 9 sit in the middle. Four dice combinations make each number. Better odds than the 4 or 10, but still not as good as the 6 or 8. Some players ignore the 5 and 9 completely. Others bet them to spread action across more numbers.

Place 6 and Place 8

Five dice combinations roll a 6, and five roll an 8. That's more ways to win than any other place bet number. Only the 7 (with six combinations) appears more often. That's exactly why smart players stick with the 6 and 8.

Place Bet Payouts and House Edge

Each place bet number pays out differently, and the house edge changes with it. The closer a payout sits to true odds, the smaller the casino's advantage.

Number	Payout	House Edge
4 or 10	9 to 5	6.67%
5 or 9	7 to 5	4.00%
6 or 8	7 to 6	1.52%

Notice the 6 and 8 carry a house edge under 2%, which is competitive with some of the best bets in the casino. The 4 and 10? They eat a way bigger chunk of your money.

Quick thing about payouts: the "to" language means you keep your bet plus whatever you win. To receive full payouts without rounding, bet in proper units. For the 6 and 8, bet in multiples of $6. For the 4, 5, 9, and 10, bet in multiples of $5.

How to Make a Place Bet

First time placing a bet at the craps table? Don't sweat it. It's easier than you think. You don't touch the layout yourself. The dealer handles chip placement for you.

Where Place Bets Go on the Craps Table Layout

Look at the top of the craps table layout. You'll see numbered boxes for 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. When you place a bet, the dealer puts your chips in the box for your number, positioned so everyone knows it's yours.

How to Call Your Place Bet

Toss your chips toward the dealer and say what you want. Keep it clear and direct. For example:

"Place the 6."
"Place the 6 and 8 for $12 each."
"$25 on the 5."

The dealer confirms and sets your chips. That's it.

Turning Place Bets On or Off

By default, place bets are "off" during the come-out roll. Keeps you safe from losing to a 7 when the new round starts. If you want your bets working during the come-out, tell the dealer "keep my bets on."

You can also call your bets "off" anytime mid-game. The chips stay on the table, but they're inactive until you turn them back on. That kind of control is exactly why place bets pull in so many players.

Place Bets vs Buy Bets in Craps

Buy bets cover the same numbers as place bets but pay true odds. The catch is you pay a 5% commission (called the vig) for that privilege. Whether buying beats placing depends on the number and the casino's commission rules.

Place Bets vs Come Bets

Craps throws a bunch of bets at you that sound alike but play completely different. Let's break down the differences.

Come bet: Functions like a pass line bet made after the point is established. A come bet requires two rolls to resolve, and the dice determine your number rather than you choosing it.
Place bet: Standalone, immediate, and you pick the number. The house edge is higher than odds bets but lower than most proposition bets.

If you want instant action on a specific number you choose, place bets deliver.

Best Place Bet Strategy for Craps

Good craps strategy? Pick the bets where the math doesn't destroy you. Here's what works.

1. Focus on Place 6 and Place 8

The 6 and 8 give you the best shot at winning with the lowest house edge of any place bet. Many experienced players bet only on the 6 and 8 and skip the rest entirely.

2. Skip Place 4 and Place 10

Unless you're buying the 4 and 10 at a casino with favorable commission rules, the 6.67% house edge makes placing the 4 and 10 poor value. Better options exist on the same table.

3. Press Your Bets at the Right Time

Pressing is when you take your winnings and stack them on top of your original bet. During a hot roll, pressing is how you ride the streak. During choppy action, pressing accelerates losses. Only do it when the table's running hot. Otherwise, you're just bleeding money faster.

4. Combine Place Bets With Pass Line and Odds

A classic approach is to make a pass line bet, back it with maximum odds, then place the 6 and 8. You've got action on several numbers without getting crushed by the house edge. Works whether you're just starting out or you've been playing for years.

Place Bet Mistakes That Cost You

These mistakes will drain your bankroll fast:

Placing all six numbers at once. You're exposed to the 7 on every roll. One bad outcome wipes out multiple bets.
Ignoring proper bet sizing. Betting $5 on the 6 means you won't get the full 7-to-6 payout. The dealer rounds down.
Forgetting place bets are off on come-out rolls. If you want action during the come-out, you have to call it.
Placing the 4 or 10 when buying is smarter. Check the commission rules and do the math before deciding.