Big 6 8 Craps: Mastering Betting Strategies & Payouts

There are numerous wagers to make on the craps table and the Big 6 and Big 8 are two of those that often get overlooked as players head to the Pass Line, Come Bar, Place Bets, and Field.

But betting the “Big” bets and many players don’t even consider these wagers. Why is that and what exactly are the Big 6 and 8 bets in craps? Keep reading to learn more about these wagers as well as the odds and payouts.

What Are Big 6 and 8 Bets in Craps?

The Big 6 and 8 betting locations are generally located in a sliver of the table felt between the Field and Pass Line near the corners of the table. A bettor simply drops a chip on either the Big 6, Big 8, or both (or asks the dealer to do so) to make this wager.

So how do payouts work on these bets? A craps player betting on these is hoping to see the shooter roll a 6 or 8 before a 7. If that happens, you win your bet. If the shooter rolls a 7 before a 6 or 8, you lose the bet. The bet stays in play as long as any other number is rolled. It’s also important to note that these bets also pay out at even money.

The wager was originally added to the craps table as a simple bet for those who might not understand the bets available to them. It’s a quick, easy bet to make and 6 and 8 are the most likely numbers to roll other than a 7, at 13.89% of the time.

How to Place Big 6 and 8 Bets in Craps

As noted, making this wager is easy. Simply drop a chip on these locations on the felt or instruct the dealer to do so if you’re not located near the Big 6 and 8 bets. The dealer will then pay out the bet if your number is rolled before sevening out. If you lose, the dealer will collect the wager.

It’s important to note that these bets can be made at any point during the game. Players don’t have to wait for a come out roll or wait for a point number to be established, they can be made at any time during the game.

Payouts for Big 6 and 8 Bets

Bug 6 and 8 craps betting generally pays out even money. So if you bet $10 on the Big 6 and a 6 is rolled before a 7, then you’ll win another $10. It’s as simple as that. Many craps experts point to the shortcomings in betting the Big 6 or 8 because those funds might be better wagered on other parts of the table that would deliver better results than even money.

For example, instead of getting just even money, a Place Bet on 6 or 8 pays out at 7 to 6. So a $6 Place Bet would pay out $7 rather than the even money on Big 6 or 8.

Another better option is making a Pass Line bet. Players will earn even money on this $5 bet, winning on 7 or 11 and 2, 3, or 12. If a point number is also established and that number is rolled before sevening out, you’ll also win.

However, while you’ll still get even money on the initial wager, you can also back that bet up with “odds” of 2x, 3x, or more at some casinos. These are some of the best bets in the casino and pay out the true odds of rolling that number. The 6 and 8 odds bet pays out at 6 to 5. So a player with a $5 Pass Line bet and $10 odds bet would collect $5 on the initial wager and $12 on the odds bet for a total of $17. Here’s a look at the comparisons of these bets.

Bet	Payout
Big 6 and 8 bets	Even money
Place bets (6 or 8)	7 to 6
Pass Line plus odds bet (6 or 8 point number)	Even money on the Pass Line wager and 6 to 5 on the odds bet

Understanding the House Edge in Big 6 and 8 Bets

Because players earn just even money rather than the 7 to 6 on placing a 6 or 8, there is a significant house edge when making the Big 6 or 8 bets. Making these bets come with a house edge of 9.09%, a hefty advantage for the casino.

By contrast, placing the 6 or 8 comes with a house edge of just 1.52%. If the 6 and 8 keep getting rolled, a player would win more placing these bets rather than betting the Big 6 and 8.

Strategies for Winning with Big 6 and 8 Bets

There are no real strategies for betting the Big 6 or 8. There may be worse bets to make in the casino, but players can find better options on the craps table. As noted, consider placing the 6 or 8 instead for better odds or placing that money on the Pass Line and backing up the bet with odds.

If you do make the Big 6 or 8 vats, consider combining these bets with other bets that have lower house edges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Big 6 and 8 Bets

Betting the Big 6 or 8 is simple, but making the bet too often puts too much of your money at risk on a wager that has a high house edge. As mentioned above, other bets feature lower house edges and would make for wiser bets.

Betting too much on these types of bets can also more quickly drain your bankroll. Play within your means and consider Place Bets or Pass Line wagers instead for a better chance to win over the long run.

Conclusion

The Big 6 and 8 craps bets are simple to make and found at the corner of the table between the Field and Pass Line. Make these bets by placing chips on either or ask the dealer to do it for you. When making a Big 6 or 8 bet, the player is hoping that the shooter rolls a 6 or 8 before rolling a 7. The Big 6 or 8 pays out at even money.

While this bet is easy, it also comes with a hefty house edge of 9.09%. Players would be better advised to use Place Bets for these numbers or to simply play the Pass Line for better odds and better payouts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Big 6 and Big 8 bets and Place Bets?

Big 6 and 8 pay out at even money while Place Bets pay out at 7 to 6.

How can I reduce the house edge when using Big 6 and Big 8 bets?

Consider combining these with more favorable bets on the table. Or consider avoiding these bets entirely and instead make Place Bets or putting money on the Pass Line with odds. These provide better bang for the buck.