Place Bet Optimizer: Best Spread for Your Budget
Jake WilfredPlace bets are one of the most popular wagers at the craps table. But not all point numbers are created equal. The Place Bet Optimizer helps you spread your budget across the numbers in a way that balances cost and coverage.
- Optimize how you spread place bets across 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10
- The tool factors in house edge differences between inside and outside numbers
- Place 6 and 8 offer the lowest house edge at 1.52%
- Budget-conscious players should focus on inside numbers first
How It Works
Enter your total budget for place bets. The optimizer distributes that amount across the point numbers, prioritizing those with the lowest house edge. It also shows you correct bet sizing for each number so you collect full payouts without rounding losses.
Place bets on 6 and 8 carry a 1.52% house edge. Numbers 5 and 9 jump to 4%. And 4 and 10? Those sit at 6.67%. The optimizer takes this hierarchy into account.
With a $44 budget, the classic “inside” spread is $12 each on 6 and 8, and $10 each on 5 and 9. This covers the four most frequently rolled point numbers at a combined edge well below most other bet combinations.
Inside Numbers vs. Across
Placing “inside” (5, 6, 8, 9) gives you 18 of the 24 non-seven point combinations. Going “across” adds 4 and 10, which roll less frequently and carry higher house edges. The optimizer shows the trade-off clearly.
For a deeper dive into which bets deserve your money first, check our guide on the best craps bets.
When to Consider Buy Bets Instead
On 4 and 10, buy bets can offer better value than place bets, especially at casinos that only charge the 5% commission on wins. The optimizer flags when a buy bet makes more sense for those outside numbers.
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Craps Place Bet Optimizer FAQs
Most tables require bets in specific increments: multiples of $6 for the 6 and 8, and multiples of $5 for 4, 5, 9, and 10. Table minimums usually start at $5 or $6 per number. Check the table layout guide for placement details.
Not usually. Spreading across all six means higher total exposure per roll, and the outside numbers (4 and 10) carry significantly higher house edges. Focus on inside numbers unless your bankroll supports the extra action.
