Buy Bets in Craps: True Odds, the 5% Vig, and When They Beat Place Bets
Jake WilfredA place bet on the 4 costs you 6.67% in house edge. A buy bet on the same number? Just 4.76%. Same action, same number, same win condition. The difference is a 5% commission called the “vig” that buys you something valuable: true odds payouts.
That’s the buy bet’s entire pitch. You pay a small fee upfront (or on your win, depending on the casino), and in return, the casino pays you at the actual mathematical probability instead of the reduced place bet odds. On the 4 and 10, this trade-off is a clear win for the player.
On the 5, 9, 6, and 8? Less so. Knowing exactly when buy bets make sense and when place bets are the better call is one of those details that separates informed craps players from everyone else at the rail.
- Buy bets pay at true odds (2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8) minus a 5% commission
- The house edge on buy bets is 4.76% across all numbers, but drops to 1.67% on the 4 and 10 at casinos that charge vig only on wins
- Buy bets on the 4 and 10 are always superior to place bets on the same numbers (4.76% vs. 6.67% house edge)
- Buy bets on the 6 and 8 are worse than place bets (4.76% vs. 1.52%), so skip them
- Whether the casino charges the vig on every bet or only on winning bets makes a massive difference in your effective house edge
What Is a Buy Bet in Craps?
A buy bet is a wager that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. It works almost identically to a place bet, with one critical difference: the craps casino pays you at true odds instead of the reduced place bet odds. The trade-off is a 5% commission, known as the vig (short for vigorish).
Think of it as paying a premium for a better product. The place bet is the standard version. The buy bet is the upgrade. Whether the upgrade is worth the premium depends entirely on which number you’re betting.
You make a buy bet by placing your chips on the craps table layout and telling the dealer “buy the four” or “buy the ten” (or whichever number you want). The dealer places a “BUY” button on top of your chips to distinguish them from place bets. That’s your receipt for paying the vig.
Buy bets are multi-roll wagers. They stay active until your number is rolled (you win), a 7 is rolled (you lose), or you take the bet down. Unlike proposition bets that resolve in a single throw, buy bets can sit on the table for dozens of rolls. You can remove or reduce a buy bet at any time by telling the dealer. If you’re still learning the basics, our how to play craps guide covers the full game flow.
Buy Bet Payouts and True Odds
Buy bets pay at the actual dice combination probabilities. No rounding, no reduced odds. Here’s what each number pays:
| Number | True Odds (Payout) | Ways to Roll | Ways to Roll a 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 4 | 6 |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5 | 6 |
Compare these to place bet payouts on the same numbers:
| Number | Buy Bet Payout (True Odds) | Place Bet Payout | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 9:5 | Buy pays significantly more |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 7:5 | Buy pays slightly more |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 7:6 | Buy pays slightly more |
The payout improvement is most dramatic on the 4 and 10. A $20 place bet on the 10 pays $36 (9:5). A $20 buy bet on the 10 pays $40 (2:1) minus the vig. That’s where the buy bet shines brightest.
You want $20 on the 10. As a place bet, you’d win $36 when the 10 hits. As a buy bet, you’d win $40 (true odds) minus a $1 vig (5% of your $20 wager). Net profit: $39. That’s $3 more than the place bet on the same number. Over 50 winning bets, that’s $150 extra in your pocket.
The Vig: How the 5% Commission Works
The vig (vigorish) is the casino’s fee for giving you true odds. It’s typically 5% of your bet amount. On a $20 buy bet, the vig is $1. On a $25 buy bet, it’s $1.25. Most casinos round down to the nearest dollar on the vig, which actually helps you.
Here’s where it gets important: how and when the casino charges the vig changes the effective house edge dramatically.
Vig Charged on Every Bet (Up Front)
At some casinos, the vig is collected when you place the bet, regardless of whether you win or lose. This means you pay 5% on your wager even when the 7 wipes you out. The house edge under this model is 4.76% on all buy bets.
Vig Charged Only on Winning Bets
Many casinos, particularly in Las Vegas, only collect the vig when you win. If you lose, you pay nothing beyond your original wager. This policy drastically reduces the effective house edge because you’re only paying the commission on successful outcomes.
| Number | House Edge (Vig on Every Bet) | House Edge (Vig on Win Only) | Place Bet House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 4.76% | 1.67% | 6.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 4.76% | 2.00% | 4.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 4.76% | 2.27% | 1.52% |
Always ask the dealer: “Is the vig on the buy or on the win?” This single question can cut your house edge on the 4 and 10 from 4.76% to 1.67%. That’s a bigger difference than the gap between the pass line and don’t pass. If the casino charges vig only on wins, buy bets on the 4 and 10 become one of the best bets on the craps table.
When Buy Bets Beat Place Bets (and When They Don’t)
This is the most practical question: which numbers should you buy, and which should you place?
Buy the 4 and 10: Always
The buy bet on the 4 and 10 is superior to the place bet under every commission model. Even with vig charged on every bet (4.76%), it beats the place bet’s 6.67%. With vig on wins only (1.67%), it’s not even close. If you want action on the 4 or 10, buy it. Every single time.
On a $25 buy bet on the 4 or 10, most casinos round the 5% vig down from $1.25 to $1. This rounding makes bets in the $20-$25 range particularly efficient because you’re paying less than the full 5%. Ask the dealer about the minimum vig amount. Many casinos have a $1 minimum, meaning any buy bet of $20 or less costs the same $1 vig. A $20 buy bet pays a vig of $1.00 (5%). A $25 bet should cost $1.25 in vig, but gets rounded to $1.00. That makes $25 the sweet spot.
The 5 and 9: Depends on the Casino
With vig on every bet, the buy bet (4.76%) is slightly worse than the place bet (4.00%) on the 5 and 9. With vig on wins only, the buy bet drops to 2.00%, which beats the place bet’s 4.00% comfortably.
Bottom line: ask the vig policy. Vig on wins? Buy the 5 and 9. Vig on every bet? Place them instead.
The 6 and 8: Always Place, Never Buy
The place bet on 6 and 8 has a house edge of just 1.52%. The buy bet on the same numbers carries 4.76% (vig every bet) or 2.27% (vig on wins). No version of the buy bet beats the place bet here. The 6 and 8 should always be placed, never bought. This is one of those rules that has zero exceptions. For the full math, check our craps payout chart.
| Number | Best Bet Type | Lowest Available House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | Buy (always) | 1.67% (vig on win) or 4.76% (vig on bet) |
| 5 or 9 | Buy if vig on win; Place if vig on bet | 2.00% (vig on win) or 4.00% (place) |
| 6 or 8 | Place (always) | 1.52% |
How to Place a Buy Bet: Step by Step
Placing a buy bet is similar to a place bet but requires verbal communication with the dealer.
Put your chips in front of you on the table (not in the place bet boxes). Tell the dealer which number you want to buy: “Buy the four” or “Buy the ten for twenty.” The dealer moves your chips to the correct number box and places a small “BUY” marker on top. If the casino collects vig upfront, the dealer takes the commission immediately from your chip stack.
You set $26 on the table ($25 for the bet + $1 for the vig). You tell the dealer “buy the four for twenty-five.” The dealer places $25 in the 4 box with a BUY button on top and collects the $1 vig. If the shooter rolls a 4 before a 7, you win $50 (2:1 on $25). If the casino charges vig on wins only, you’d place just $25, and the dealer takes $1 from your $50 payout, giving you a net win of $49.
Buy bets are typically “off” during the come-out roll by default. This means a 7 on the come-out won’t take your buy bet. If you want it active during the come-out, tell the dealer “my buys are working.” For more on table communication, see our craps etiquette guide.
Buy Bets vs. Lay Bets: What’s the Difference?
Players sometimes confuse buy bets with lay bets. They’re opposites.
A buy bet wagers that a specific number will be rolled before a 7. You’re betting with the shooter. The 7 is your enemy.
A lay bet wagers that a 7 will be rolled before a specific number. You’re betting against the shooter. The 7 is your friend.
Both pay at true odds. Both charge a 5% vig. The difference is which side of the probability you’re on. Buy bettors risk less to win more (since the point is harder to hit than the 7). Lay bettors risk more to win less (since the 7 is more likely).
| Feature | Buy Bet | Lay Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Wins When | Number hits before 7 | 7 hits before number |
| Payout on 4/10 | 2:1 (win more than you risk) | 1:2 (risk more than you win) |
| 5% Vig Charged On | The bet amount (or winnings) | The potential winnings (or bet amount) |
| Betting Perspective | With the shooter | Against the shooter |
If you’re a don’t pass player who likes action on specific numbers, lay bets are your tool. If you’re a pass line player who wants the 4 or 10 at a better price than place bets, buy bets are yours.
Buy Bet Strategy: When and How to Use Them
The buy bet isn’t a standalone strategy. It’s a tool that fits into a broader approach. Here’s how smart players use it.
Foundation: Pass Line + Odds + Buy the 4 and 10
Start with a pass line bet and take max free odds behind it (0% house edge). Then, if you want additional number coverage, buy the 4 and/or 10 instead of placing them. Place the 6 and 8 at 1.52%. This combination gives you the lowest possible house edge on every number you have working.
Avoid buying numbers on the come-out roll. A 7 on the come-out is a winner for pass line bettors, and your buy bet is off by default anyway. Wait until the point is established, then set up your buy bets. This prevents confusion and keeps your bets aligned with the game phase. For full strategy breakdowns, see our craps strategy guide.
The $25 Sweet Spot
Because most casinos round the vig down to the nearest dollar, and many have a $1 minimum vig, the $25 buy bet is the most efficient denomination. A $20 bet pays $1 vig (5% of $20). A $25 bet should pay $1.25 but gets rounded to $1. You’re getting an extra $5 in action for no additional commission cost. This makes $25 the ideal buy bet size at tables with dollar-rounding vig policies.
Know When to Take It Down
Buy bets can be removed at any time. If a shooter sevens out and you want to reassess before the next shooter’s turn, call your buy bets down. There’s no obligation to keep them active. Smart bankroll management means adjusting your exposure based on how the session is going.
- True odds payouts on every number (2:1, 3:2, 6:5)
- House edge on 4/10 (1.67% with vig on win) is one of the lowest on the table
- Can be removed or adjusted at any time, giving you full control
- $25 sweet spot with vig rounding gives you extra value
- 5% vig adds a cost that place bets don’t carry
- Buy bets on 6 and 8 are always worse than place bets (4.76% vs. 1.52%)
- Vig policy varies by casino, making it confusing for new players
- Requires verbal communication with the dealer, which can intimidate beginners
Buy Bets in Craps: Pay the Vig, Get the Odds, Pick the Right Numbers
The buy bet is one of those craps wagers that’s either brilliant or wasteful depending entirely on context. On the 4 and 10, it’s one of the best bets available. On the 6 and 8, it’s a money burner. The key is knowing the difference, asking the right question (“vig on the win?”), and applying buy bets only where the math justifies the commission.
Buy the 4 and 10. Place the 6 and 8. Check the vig policy on the 5 and 9. Build everything on top of a pass line bet with odds. That’s the formula. Practice it on our free craps simulator until the bet sizing becomes automatic, then bring it to a live table and play with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what every chip on the felt is costing them.
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Buy Bets FAQs
A buy bet is a wager that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. Unlike place bets, buy bets pay at true odds (2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8). The trade-off is a 5% commission (vig) charged either on the bet amount or on your winnings, depending on the casino.
Always buy the 4 and 10. A place bet on these numbers has a 6.67% house edge. A buy bet has a 4.76% house edge (vig on every bet) or just 1.67% (vig on wins only). The buy bet wins this comparison in every scenario. It’s one of the best craps bets when the casino charges vig only on winning bets.
No. The place bet on 6 and 8 has a 1.52% house edge, while the buy bet carries 4.76% (or 2.27% with vig on wins). The place bet is cheaper under every commission structure. Always place the 6 and 8; never buy them. Check the full comparison in our craps payout chart.
The vig (vigorish) is a 5% commission the casino charges for paying true odds on buy bets. On a $20 bet, the vig is $1. Some casinos charge it when you place the bet (regardless of outcome). Others charge it only when you win, which significantly lowers the effective house edge. Always ask the dealer which policy applies before placing your buy bet.
A buy bet wins when your chosen number hits before a 7 (betting with the shooter). A lay bet wins when a 7 hits before your chosen number (betting against the shooter). Both pay at true odds with a 5% vig. Buy bettors risk less to win more. Lay bettors risk more to win less, since the 7 is statistically more likely than any single point number.
