Craps Big 6 and Big 8: the same bet as a place bet, for less
The Big 6 and Big 8 win if a 6 or 8 rolls before a 7, just like a place bet. But they pay only even money, while placing the 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Bet | Pays | House edge |
|---|---|---|
| Big 6 or Big 8 | 1 to 1 | 9.09% |
| Place 6 or 8 | 7 to 6 | 1.52% |
| Buy 6 or 8 (fee on win) | 6 to 5 minus 5% | 2.27% |
| Come bet with odds | Varies | Below 1.41% |
Key numbers
Big 6 and 8 in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- The Big 6 and the place 6 win and lose on the same rolls.
- A $6 place bet wins $7; a $6 Big 6 bet wins only $6.
- Some layouts no longer show the Big 6 and 8 at all.
- Bet the 6 and 8 in multiples of $6 to get the full 7 to 6.
Cheat sheet
What decides a Big 6
Glance the pips — compare in one second.
1Six
Wins — five ways to roll
2Six
Another way: 5-1
3Seven
Loses — six ways to roll
4Eight
No decision for the Big 6
Pay table
Same bet, two payouts on $30
Glance before you bet
| Bet | Win amount | Expected loss per decision |
|---|---|---|
| Big 6 $30 | $30 | About $2.73 |
| Place 6 $30 | $35 | About $0.45 |
Both bets win 5 times in 11 decisions.
Why the Big 6 is a trap
The Big 6 box sits right in front of players, and even money sounds fair. It is not: the 7 rolls six ways and the 6 only five.
Placing the same number requires asking the dealer, which new players skip. That is how the bet earns its 9.09%.
Sequence
Betting the 6 the right way
Step 01
Pick a $6 multiple
$6, $12, $18 and so on.
Step 02
Hand chips to the dealer
Say "Place the 6".
Step 03
Wait for a decision
6 wins $7 per $6; 7 loses.
Step 04
Take it down any time
Place bets can come down between rolls.
Where it is missing
Atlantic City casinos do not offer Big 6 and Big 8. Many newer layouts elsewhere have dropped the boxes too.
Where it remains, it is mostly a trap for beginners.
Working on the come-out
Big 6 and 8 bets usually work on the come-out roll, while place bets are often off. That difference does not make the Big 6 a better bet.
You can ask for place bets to work on the come-out if you want.
Floor rules
Craps terms
Know before you sit
- Big 6 / Big 8
- Even-money bets that 6 or 8 rolls before 7.
- Place bet
- A bet on a number before a 7, booked by the dealer.
- Working
- Active on the next roll.
- Off
- Not active on the next roll.
An hour on the Big 6
A $12 Big 6 bet left up for an hour might see about 30 decisions. Expected loss is about $33.
The same $12 placed on the 6 loses only about $5.50 over those decisions, while paying $14 on every win instead of $12.
A short history
The Big 6 and Big 8 date from older layouts when tables printed many even-money boxes. Regulators in some states removed them as unfair to players.
Nevada still allows them, so you may see them on older tables in Las Vegas and Reno.
Common mistakes
- Using the Big 6 box
- It pays less for the same result. Place the 6 instead.
- Placing $5 on the 6
- Odd amounts get rounded payouts. Use $6.
- Forgetting place bets are off on the come-out
- Ask the dealer if you want them working.
- Thinking even money is fair
- Fair pay for a 6 before a 7 is 6 to 5. Even money is well below that.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.
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Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
What is the Big 6 in craps?
A bet that a 6 rolls before a 7, paid at even money. The Big 8 is the same bet on the 8.
What is the house edge on Big 6 and 8?
About 9.09%, compared with 1.52% for placing the same number. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Why is the place bet better?
It wins on exactly the same rolls but pays 7 to 6 instead of 1 to 1. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
02Odds
How often does a 6 come before a 7?
Five times in 11, about 45.5%. The 6 has five combinations and the 7 has six. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Is the Big 6 better than the field?
No. The common field bet carries an edge near 5.56%, lower than the Big 6’s 9.09%.
Can I buy the 6 instead?
Yes, but buying costs about 2.27% with the fee on the win. Placing at 1.52% is cheaper.
03At the table
Why do some tables not show the Big 6?
Atlantic City does not allow it, and many layouts have dropped it because it is a poor bet.
Can I move a Big 6 bet?
Yes. It can be picked up between rolls, like a place bet. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Do online craps games have the Big 6?
Some do. Check the bet list and payout before betting. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.
Sources
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry)The gaming industry’s standard reference for casino-game math, by actuary Michael Shackleford. Not an official registry; our calculators compute these numbers independently. · accessed Oct 14, 2026Rules, odds and house edge
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement · accessed Oct 14, 2026Craps rules in Atlantic City
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER