What are place bets?
Place bets are the direct route: skip the come-out drama and simply back a number to show before the 7. How good a deal that is depends entirely on which number you pick.
How placing works
While a point is on, put chips on any box number. If your number rolls before a 7, you're paid; if the 7 shows first, the bet loses. Place bets are 'working' only during the point phase - they sit out come-out rolls by default - and unlike a pass bet you can take them down or press them up between rolls. That flexibility is their charm.
The payout ladder
| Number placed | Payout | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or 8 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
| 5 or 9 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| 4 or 10 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
The gap comes from the combinations: the 6 and 8 roll 5 ways each against the 7's six, while the 4 and 10 roll only 3 ways. The payouts don't rise enough to cover the extra risk on the outside numbers.
Place the 6 and 8, mostly
The classic advice writes itself: placing the 6 or 8 at 1.52% is one of the best bets in craps, close behind the pass line. Placing the 4 or 10 at 6.67% is hard to justify when come bets with odds reach the same numbers far cheaper. Bet in multiples of $6 on the 6/8 and $5 on the others so the 7:6 and 7:5 payouts come out even.
Related questions
What is the field bet?
The field is a one-roll bet that wins if the next roll is 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 and loses on 5, 6, 7 or 8. Winners pay even money, except the 2 pays 2:1 and the 12 pays 3:1 on our table - making the house edge a modest 2.78%.
What are odds bets?
Odds bets are extra chips placed behind your pass, come or don't bet after a point is set. They pay true odds - 2:1 on the 4 and 10, 3:2 on the 5 and 9, 6:5 on the 6 and 8 - so the house edge on them is exactly zero. It's the only bet like it in the casino.
What are the best craps bets for beginners?
Start with the pass line - one chip, even money, a house edge of just 1.41%. Back it with an odds bet, which has zero house edge, and if you want more action, place the 6 or 8 at a 1.52% edge. Ignore the shiny proposition bets in the middle of the table.