Place Bet in Craps

What Is a Place Bet in Craps

A craps place bet is a wager made on one or more specific point numbers — 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10 — after the come-out roll has been completed. The idea is simple: if your chosen number is rolled before a 7, you win; if a 7 comes first, you lose.

Here’s what makes this bet stand out 👉

• You can make it anytime after the point is set.
• You can choose one number or multiple numbers to cover.
• You’re not restricted to the pass line orcome bet craps areas.

📝 Unlike pass line bets, a place bet doesn’t require the shooter to win the initial roll. This gives players more opportunities to enter the game mid-round. Many prefer it for the direct control it provides, as you can decide exactly which numbers you want to back and for how much.

Payouts for Place Bets

Understanding the craps place bet payout structure is essential before putting chips on the table. Each number pays differently because some are easier to roll than others 👉

Odds and House Edge for Each Number

The table below shows the craps place bet payout chart along with the probability and house edge for each number 👇

💡 As you can see, 6 and 8 have the lowest house edge, making them the most player-friendly options.

How Payouts Are Calculated

Payouts are based on the ratio between your bet size and the place betodds craps. 

📌 For example:

• Bet $10 on 4 and it wins → Paid $18 (9:5 payout)
• Bet $6 on 8 and it wins → Paid $7 (7:6 payout)
• Bet $5 on 5 and it wins → Paid $7 (7:5 payout)

⚠️ Always remember that the casino rounds payouts down to the nearest whole unit of the table’s betting denomination.

Minimum and Maximum Bet Limits

The what is the minimum place bet in craps varies by casino, but often starts at $5 or $6 for even payouts. Maximum limits depend on the table rules and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Always check the specific table before placing your wager.

How to Place a Bet in Craps Step by Step

Placing this wager is fast once you know the flow. Here’s how does a place bet work in craps in practice, from timing to dealer lingo. 🎯

Waiting for the Right Moment

A place bet is made after the point is set. On the come‑out roll, wait. The puck will move to a number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). That’s your signal.

• During the come‑out, most place bets are “off” by default.
• After the point is on, you can act.
• If you want your bet to work on the come‑out in a later round, tell the dealer “working.”

Telling the Dealer Your Bet

You don’t set chips yourself on the numbered boxes. Hand chips to the dealer and speak clearly:

1. State the number(s) and amount(s).
   • “Place $12 Six and $12 Eight.”
   • “Place $10 Five.”
2. Use correct multiples for clean payouts based on craps place bet odds 👇
   • 6 or 8 → bet in multiples of $6 (pays 7:6).
   • 5 or 9 → bet in multiples of $5 (pays 7:5).
   • 4 or 10 → bet in multiples of $5 (pays 9:5).
3. Keep it simple and firm so the dealer logs your action fast.

Dealer Placement on the Layout

The dealer places your chips in the numbered box, marked to your position 👇

• Each player position has a distinct spot within the box.
• Your chips stay there until you:
  
  
  • Press (increase)
  • Same bet (leave as is)
  • Take it down (remove)

If you add more numbers, the dealer builds a spread for you across 5/6/8/9 (or 4/10 if you like bigger hits).

Collecting Winnings and Pressing Bets

When your number hits before a 7, you’re paid according to the place bet craps payout schedule 👇

• Dealer pays in the come area in front of you.
• Pick up winnings or call a move right away.

Common calls after a hit 👇

• “Same bet.” Keep the base the same.
• “Press.” Increase the base using part or all of the win.
• “Power press.” Aggressive jump to a higher base using the entire win plus some bankroll.
• “Take me down.” Remove the place bet entirely.

📌 Example flow:

• You bet $12 on 6. It hits → dealer pays $14 (7:6).
• You say “press to $18.” Dealer uses $6 to press and hands you $8 change.
• Next time 6 hits, $18 pays $21. Now you can same‑bet, press to $30, or pull down.

This rhythm—hit, get paid, decide—keeps the game dynamic and lets you shape risk and reward on the fly.

Place Bet Strategies in Craps

Smart players tailor their craps place betcraps strategy to balance risk, reward, and bankroll longevity. Here are the most effective approaches.

Focusing on 6 and 8 for Lower House Edge

👉 The 6 and 8 are statistically the most common point numbers after 7. Their low house edge (1.52%) makes them the most efficient for long-term play. Betting in $6 increments ensures clean payouts. Many players keep consistent action on these numbers while ignoring higher-risk bets like 4 and 10.

Spreading Bets Across Multiple Numbers

👉 Covering several numbers — for example, 5, 6, and 8 — increases your chance of hitting on each roll. However, spreading too thin drains the bankroll faster if the shooter hits cold streaks. This approach works best when you have a larger budget and want steady, smaller wins.

Pressing Wins to Maximize Profit

👉 Pressing means using your winnings to increase the size of your place bets. This lets you capitalize on hot shooters without risking much extra bankroll. 

✅ For example:

1. Start with $12 on 6.
2. First hit pays $14 — press to $18.
3. Second hit pays $21 — press to $30.
4. From there, either keep pressing or lock in profit.

Combining Place Bets With Pass Line Bets

👉 Mixing place bets with a pass line bet provides coverage on both the come-out roll and during pointcraps play. This hybrid style helps diversify outcomes and smooths variance, especially if you focus your place bets on the best odds numbers.

Pros and Cons of Place Bets

Like any wager in craps, a place bet craps has strengths and weaknesses. Understanding both sides helps you decide when to use it.

Pros

• Flexible and customizable — you choose the numbers, the amounts, and when to get in.
• Can be made anytime after the point is set, giving you more entry points than pass line bets.
• Ideal for covering multiple outcomes, especially in combination with other wagers.

Cons

• Higher house edge on some numbers like 4 or 10 makes them riskier over time.
• Requires more bankroll management, especially when spreading across many numbers.
• Payouts are less than true odds, so the casino keeps its built-in advantage.

Place Bets vs Buy Bets in Craps

While a place bet craps and a buy bet may look similar on the table, they work differently in payouts and fees. Knowing when to use each can make a real difference in your returns.

Key Differences

💡 A place vs buy bet craps decision often comes down to your number choice. Buy bets shine on 4 and 10 because the commission is outweighed by the improved payout.

When Buy Bets Are More Profitable

☝️ For numbers like 4 and 10, buy bets usually pay better over the long run because they return true odds of 2:1. Even with the 5% commission, the net payout surpasses a place bet’s 9:5 odds. Many players switch to buy bets if they’re focusing on these numbers specifically.

Which Bet Is Better for Beginners

☝️ Beginners often stick with place bets because they’re simpler — no commission, easy to calculate payouts, and flexible across more numbers. Once you’re comfortable with odds and house edge, you can explore buy bets for specific cases.

If you’re wondering what is the opposite of a place bet in craps, that would be a lay bet — where you bet a 7 will be rolled before your chosen number. Learning how to place a lay bet in craps can be a useful counter-strategy in certain games.

Tips for Winning With Place Bets

Success with place bet craps isn’t just luck — strategy and discipline matter. Here are key tips to improve your results 👇

Focus on Numbers With the Best Odds

• Prioritize 6 and 8 for lower house edge and frequent hits.
• Add 5 or 9 only if you have extra bankroll to spread safely.
• Avoid 4 and 10 unless you’re using a buy bet approach.

Avoid Spreading Too Thin Across the Table

• Covering too many numbers reduces the potential payout per number.
• Concentrate on fewer numbers to manage risk efficiently.
• Press wins instead of constantly adding new numbers, to build profits steadily.

Have a Clear Bankroll Limit Before Starting

• Decide your session bankroll before placing a single chip.
• Set loss and win limits to avoid chasing losses.
• Use small increments for pressing, keeping most of your funds protected.

💡 Pro Tip: Many experienced players combine craps place bet strategy with pass line bets or come bets to create layered coverage, balancing risk and reward across rolls.