The Big Six and Big Eight
| Updated: Complete Guide to Big Six and Big Eight Bets in Craps
One of the main reasons why the game of craps remains so popular is that it ranks among the most exciting casino games. Many land-based casino operators dedicate substantial floor space to it. The same applies to online casinos, as craps is available at many reputable gambling sites.
Although the game is based on wagering on the outcome of a roll of two dice, some gambling enthusiasts are reluctant to try it because they consider it too complicated. The main reason is that players can choose from a wide range of bets, which can initially make the game difficult to understand, especially if they have little experience.
While the variety of available wagers can be confusing, most bets follow straightforward principles once you understand how they work. The Big Six and the Big Eight are among the easiest craps bets to understand because they work in a simple manner.
This guide explains the basics of the Big Six and Big Eight wagers, along with their specific rules. In short, players bet that 6 or 8 will be rolled before 7. For a Big Six bet, only 6 and 7 determine the outcome. For a Big Eight bet, only 8 and 7 matter. All other numbers are neutral. These bets can be placed together or individually. We will also compare them with Place bets to explain which option is more advantageous.
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The Big Six and the Big Eight Explained
First, it should be noted that the Big Six and the Big Eight have much in common with the Place bet. One of the clearest differences is their position on the betting layout. The payouts they offer are also different. Another point to consider is that, unlike the Big Six and the Big Eight, which are always working, a Place bet is turned off during the come-out roll unless you ask for it to remain working.
These bets do not receive much play, mainly because the house edge is a substantial 9.09%. This makes them unfavorable to craps players. In fact, these wagers are less common today, so it may be difficult to find a craps table that features the Big Six and the Big Eight.
Once you have found a craps table that features these two bets, you will see that they are positioned beside the pass line. If you examine the betting layout, you will notice two separate boxes labeled “Big 6” and “Big 8”. These are self-service bets, meaning players place their chips without assistance from the dealer. To make a Big Six or Big Eight bet, place your chips in the box corresponding to the number you want to bet on.
After a Big Six or Big Eight bet wins and the dealer places the winnings in the appropriate box, the player must collect them. Otherwise, leaving the winnings there will be treated as a new bet. Players may wager an amount equal to or greater than the table minimum. Additionally, the Big Six and the Big Eight are always working, and players may take them down whenever they wish.
Players who do not have much experience with craps should know that the Big Six and the Big Eight are bets that play against 7. If you place a Big Six bet, it wins when 6 appears before 7. The bet pays even money. If 7 appears first, the bet loses. The same applies to a Big Eight bet: if 8 appears before 7, the bet wins; otherwise, it loses.
When placing a Big Six or Big Eight bet, players should remember that all numbers other than their chosen number and 7 are irrelevant. These neutral numbers do not affect whether the bet wins or loses.
Playing the Big Six and the Big Eight
Although players will not often see others making Big Six or Big Eight bets, it can happen from time to time. These bets are generally avoided by knowledgeable players because Place bets on 6 and 8 offer better payouts.
Nonetheless, let us take a closer look at the Big Six and Big Eight bets to explain all their key characteristics. As mentioned above, the areas dedicated to these two bets are positioned near the corners of the betting layout. Although these bets are not favorable to players, they are straightforward, and their rules are easy to understand. Players simply wager that 6 or 8 will appear before 7.
Suppose you decide to wager $5 on the Big 6. You place your chip in the appropriate area of the betting layout and wait for the outcome. The first number rolled is 12. When making a Big Six bet, only 6 and 7 determine the result. Because 12 is a neutral number, the bet remains active. If the next roll produces a 5, the bet again remains active because 5 is also neutral.
Now suppose you decide to make a Big Eight bet and again stake $5. The first roll produces a 2, which does not affect the bet. Another roll produces a 9, which is also neutral. If a 7 then appears, your bet loses because 7 has been rolled before 8. As you can see, there is nothing complicated about making a Big Six or Big Eight bet.
The Big Six and the Big Eight Odds
One of the key things to remember about the Big Six and the Big Eight is that both bets pay even money, as illustrated above. Returning to our example, a winning $5 bet produces a $5 profit. However, there are six ways to roll 7 and only five ways to roll either 6 or 8. Therefore, the losing combinations outnumber the winning combinations. Because these bets pay even money, some players might expect the number of winning and losing combinations to be equal, but that is not the case.
If you decide to place either or both of these bets, you should be aware that the house edge is 9.09%. This explains why the Big Six and the Big Eight are not among the most popular wagers in craps. The expected loss per roll is approximately 2.78% of the amount wagered while the bet remains active. These figures show why most knowledgeable players refrain from placing Big Six and Big Eight bets.
Should Gamblers Opt for the Big Six and the Big Eight Bets
Once players realize that the Big Six and the Big Eight have such a high house edge, it becomes clear why most experienced gamblers recommend avoiding these bets. It also explains why many craps tables do not feature them. If you want to bet on 6 or 8, your options are not limited to the Big Six and the Big Eight.
Instead, making a Place bet is a far more advantageous option because its house edge is much lower, at only 1.51% compared with 9.09% for the Big Six or Big Eight. A Place bet also offers a better payout, providing another reason to choose it over a Big Six or Big Eight bet.
Experienced players will generally advise against making Big Six and Big Eight bets because better alternatives are available. A Place bet on 6 or 8 pays 7 to 6 (7:6), making it more advantageous than a Big Six or Big Eight bet, which pays even money.
The Big Six and the Place Bets Compared
Now, we will compare the Big Six bet with the Place bet to illustrate why the latter is the better option. First, suppose you place a $6 Big Six bet, which pays even money. Another player at the table places a $6 Place bet on 6. As mentioned above, a winning Place bet on 6 pays $7 for every $6 wagered because its payout is 7 to 6 (7:6).
As you can see, the amount won differs depending on whether you make a Place bet or a Big Six bet. This comparison demonstrates that a Place bet is the better option. For this reason, knowledgeable players generally avoid Big Six and Big Eight bets in favor of Place bets on 6 or 8.
Conclusion
The Big Six and the Big Eight are self-service bets that allow players to wager on 6 or 8. Because they are separate bets, they do not affect one another. Players can therefore place them together or individually, depending on their preferences. Both bets pay even money, but their house edge is 9.09%. For this reason, knowledgeable craps players generally recommend choosing a Place bet on 6 or 8 instead.