Lay Bets in Craps: True Odds, the 5% Vig, and When to Use Them
Jake WilfredMost craps players bet on numbers to hit. The lay bet does the opposite: you’re betting the 7 shows up before a specific number. It’s the dark-side cousin of the buy bet, and it pays at true mathematical odds minus a 5% commission on the potential win.
That commission (called the “vig”) is what separates lay bets from free odds behind the don’t pass. Free odds cost 0%. Lay bets cost something. How much depends on the number you’re laying against and whether the casino charges vig on every bet or only on wins. At its best (laying the 4 or 10 with vig on wins only), the house edge drops to 1.67%.
At its worst (laying the 6 or 8 with vig on every bet), it climbs to 4.00%. This guide covers every lay bet number, the exact vig math, how to place them, and where they fit in a complete craps strategy.
- Lay bets pay at true odds (1:2 on 4/10, 2:3 on 5/9, 5:6 on 6/8) minus a 5% commission on the win amount
- With vig charged on every bet, house edges are 2.44% (4/10), 3.23% (5/9), and 4.00% (6/8)
- With vig charged only on wins, house edges drop to 1.67% (4/10), 2.00% (5/9), and 2.27% (6/8)
- You must bet more than you’ll win because the 7 is more likely to appear than any specific number
- Lay bets can be placed, taken down, or turned off at any time, giving you full control
- The 4 and 10 are the best numbers to lay against because the 7 has a 2:1 advantage over them
What Is a Lay Bet in Craps?
A lay bet is a wager that the 7 will appear before a specific point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). You’re betting against the number, which puts you on the same side as the don’t pass bettor. The 7 has 6 out of 36 dice combinations, making it the most common roll. Any individual number has fewer combinations. That’s why lay bets win more often than they lose.
The trade-off: because you’re favored to win, you must risk more than you stand to collect. The payout is inverted compared to a buy bet. Where a buy bet on the 4 pays 2:1, a lay bet against the 4 pays 1:2. You put up $40 to win $20 (plus a commission to the house).
Lay bets are placed through the dealer. You hand over your chips, tell the dealer which number you want to lay against, and the dealer positions your bet in the number box with a special marker indicating it’s a lay. The bet stays active across multiple rolls until either the 7 appears (you win) or the number appears (you lose).
Lay bets can be made on any of the six point numbers: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. They can be placed at any time after the come-out roll and can be taken down, reduced, or turned “off” at any point. This flexibility is one of their key advantages over locked bets like the pass line (which can’t be removed once a point is established). If you’re still getting comfortable with craps basics, our how to play craps guide covers the full game flow.
Lay Bet Odds, Payouts, and the 5% Vig
Lay bets pay at true mathematical odds. That means the casino doesn’t shortchange you on the payout ratio itself. Instead, the land-based or online craps casino charges a 5% commission (vig) on the potential win amount. That commission is where the house edge lives.
True Odds Payouts
| Number Laid Against | Dice Combos for Number | True Odds (Lay Payout) | You Risk | You Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 3 | 1:2 | $40 | $20 |
| 5 or 9 | 4 | 2:3 | $30 | $20 |
| 6 or 8 | 5 | 5:6 | $24 | $20 |
The logic is straightforward. The 7 has 6 dice combinations. The 4 has 3. That’s a 2:1 ratio favoring the 7, so you risk $2 to win $1 (or $40 to win $20). The 6 has 5 combinations against the 7’s 6, a tighter ratio of 6:5, so the payout ratio is closer to even.
The Vig: How the Casino Gets Paid
The 5% commission is calculated on your potential win, not your total wager. This is critical because it changes the effective cost depending on the number.
You lay $40 against the 4. If you win, the true odds payout is $20. The 5% vig on $20 = $1. You pay $1 commission when placing the bet. If the 7 hits first, you collect $20 in profit. If the 4 hits first, you lose your $40. Either way, the $1 vig is gone. Total at risk: $41 ($40 lay + $1 vig). Potential profit: $20.
You lay $24 against the 6. True odds payout if you win: $20. The 5% vig on $20 = $1. You pay $1 up front. If the 7 comes first, you collect $20. If the 6 comes first, you lose $24. Total at risk: $25 ($24 lay + $1 vig). Potential profit: $20.
Vig on Every Bet vs. Vig on Wins Only
This is where the house edge changes dramatically. Some casinos charge the 5% vig every time you place the lay bet, win or lose. Others charge it only when you win. The difference is significant.
| Number | House Edge (Vig on Every Bet) | House Edge (Vig on Wins Only) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2.44% | 1.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 3.23% | 2.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 4.00% | 2.27% |
Always ask the dealer: “Do you charge vig on lay bets up front, or only on wins?” This one question can cut your house edge by 25% to 45% depending on the number. At a vig-on-wins casino, laying the 4 or 10 at 1.67% is cheaper than many bets most players consider “good.” At a vig-on-every-bet casino, the same lay costs 2.44%. Both are reasonable, but the difference adds up over a session. Check the policy at the craps casinos you visit before committing your bankroll.
How to Place a Lay Bet
Lay bets are dealer-handled. You can’t place them yourself. Here’s the process.
Hand your chips to the dealer and say “lay the [number].” For example: “Lay the four for forty” or “lay the ten for forty.” The dealer places your chips in the appropriate number box on the craps table layout with a small “LAY” button or marker on top to distinguish it from a buy bet or place bet on the same number.
The vig (if charged up front) is collected at the time of placement. If the casino charges vig on wins only, the dealer notes the vig and deducts it from your payout when you win.
Lay bets stay active roll after roll until either the 7 shows (you win) or your laid number shows (you lose). You can take the bet down, reduce it, or turn it “off” at any time by telling the dealer.
Lay bets are typically “on” during the come-out roll by default, unlike most other multi-roll bets. This means a 7 on the come-out pays your lay bet. Some players turn lay bets off during the come-out to avoid conflicting with pass line bets on the same roll. If you want your lays off during the come-out, tell the dealer “my lays off” before the dice are pushed out.
Which Numbers to Lay: The Best and Worst Options
Not all lay bets are created equal. The number you choose determines both your win probability and your house edge.
Laying the 4 or 10 (Best Option)
The 7 has 6 combinations. The 4 and 10 each have 3. That’s a 2:1 edge for the 7, giving you a 66.67% chance of winning each time. The payout is 1:2 (risk $40 to win $20), and the house edge is 2.44% with vig on every bet or 1.67% with vig on wins only.
This is the strongest lay bet on the table. At 1.67%, it’s cheaper than place bets on 5 or 9 (4.00%) and comparable to place bets on 6 or 8 (1.52%). For dark-side players, laying the 4 and 10 is a core move.
Laying the 5 or 9 (Middle Ground)
The 5 and 9 each have 4 combinations against the 7’s 6. That’s a 3:2 edge, giving you a 60% win probability. Payout: 2:3 (risk $30 to win $20). House edge: 3.23% (vig always) or 2.00% (vig on wins).
Reasonable at vig-on-wins casinos. Less attractive at vig-on-every-bet properties.
Laying the 6 or 8 (Worst Lay Option)
The 6 and 8 each have 5 combinations, the closest to the 7’s 6. That’s a 6:5 edge, giving you just a 54.55% win probability. Payout: 5:6 (risk $24 to win $20). House edge: 4.00% (vig always) or 2.27% (vig on wins).
The 6 and 8 are the worst numbers to lay because your probability advantage over them is the slimmest. You’re risking the most per dollar of profit with the smallest mathematical cushion.
| Lay Number | Win Probability | Risk-to-Win Ratio | Best House Edge (Vig on Wins) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 66.67% | 2:1 | 1.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 60.00% | 3:2 | 2.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 54.55% | 6:5 | 2.27% |
If you’re going to lay, lay the 4 and 10. They have the highest win probability (66.67%), the lowest house edge (1.67% with vig on wins), and the widest mathematical gap between the 7 and the target number. Dark-side players who combine don’t pass with lay odds on the point and additional lay bets on the 4 and 10 create a potent, low-edge position against the table. For the full dark-side strategy, see our craps strategy guide.
Lay Bets vs. Buy Bets: Mirror Images With the Same Vig
Lay bets and buy bets are two sides of the same coin. Both pay at true odds. Both charge a 5% vig. The difference: buy bets want the number before the 7. Lay bets want the 7 before the number.
| Feature | Buy Bet | Lay Bet |
|---|---|---|
| Betting On | Number before 7 | 7 before number |
| Win Probability (4/10) | 33.33% | 66.67% |
| Payout on 4/10 | 2:1 | 1:2 |
| 5% Vig Charged On | Potential win | Potential win |
| House Edge (4/10, vig on wins) | 1.67% | 1.67% |
| Risk vs. Reward | Risk less, win more | Risk more, win less |
| Best Numbers | 4 and 10 (always buy, never place) | 4 and 10 (highest win probability) |
The interesting symmetry: both buy and lay bets on the 4 and 10 carry identical 1.67% house edges (with vig on wins). The difference is the experience. Buying means you win big but less often. Laying means you win small but more often. Same cost per dollar. Different cash flow patterns.
Lay bets are the opposite of place bets too. A place bet on the 6 pays 7:6 (house edge 1.52%) and wants the 6 before the 7. A lay bet against the 6 pays 5:6 minus vig (house edge 2.27% to 4.00%) and wants the 7 first. For the 6 and 8, place bets are cheaper than lay bets. For the 4 and 10, lay bets (1.67% with vig on wins) beat place bets (6.67%) by a wide margin. Always compare. See our craps payout chart for the complete side-by-side.
Lay Bets vs. Don’t Pass Lay Odds: An Important Distinction
Here’s where many players get confused. A lay bet against a number and laying odds behind a don’t pass or don’t come bet are related but different.
Lay odds behind don’t pass/don’t come pay at true odds with no vig. That’s the free odds bet, and it carries a 0% house edge. You can only make this bet if you already have a don’t pass or don’t come bet active.
Lay bets (the standalone wager this article covers) also pay at true odds but charge a 5% vig. You can make them at any time, on any number, without needing a line bet active.
If you have a don’t pass bet and the point is 4, you can lay odds behind it at 0% house edge. That’s always better than placing a separate lay bet against the 4 (1.67% to 2.44% edge). Use lay odds (free) behind your don’t pass whenever possible. Use standalone lay bets only on numbers where you don’t have an active don’t pass or don’t come position. This distinction is covered in depth in our free odds bet guide.
When Lay Bets Make Strategic Sense
Lay bets fit best into dark-side strategies where you’re betting against the shooter. Here are the scenarios where they earn their place.
Complementing a Don’t Pass Position
After the point is set and you’ve laid maximum free odds behind your don’t pass bet, you might want additional numbers working in your favor. Lay bets on the 4 and 10 (1.67% edge with vig on wins) give you two more numbers where the 7 pays. Now three specific numbers cost the shooter, and you’re positioned on all of them.
Short-Term Protection on a Cold Table
If multiple shooters have been sevening out quickly, lay bets on the 4 and 10 can capture that pattern. You’re not predicting the future (the dice have no memory, and that’s a persistent craps myth). But if you’re already dark-side and want expanded coverage during a session that’s running cold, lays on the 4 and 10 are the cheapest option.
You bet $10 on don’t pass. Point is 8. You lay $50 in free odds (5:6 at 0% edge). You also lay $40 against the 4 and $40 against the 10 (1.67% edge each with vig on wins). Total at risk: $140. If the 7 hits, you collect: $10 (don’t pass flat) + approximately $42 (lay odds on 8) + $20 (lay the 4) + $20 (lay the 10) = $92 profit. If the 8 hits, you lose $60 on the don’t pass side but your lay bets on 4 and 10 stay active. It’s a layered approach that profits most when the 7 arrives.
When to Skip the Lay
Avoid laying the 6 and 8 unless the vig is on wins only. At 4.00% (vig always), the lay on 6/8 costs nearly 3 times what a place bet on the same numbers costs (1.52%). The 6 and 8 have 5 combinations each, giving the 7 only a slight 6:5 advantage. The probability edge is thin, the payout per dollar at risk is low, and the vig erodes what little profit you collect.
- Pay at true odds with no payout shortfall (unlike place bets, which round down)
- Win more often than you lose because the 7 is always more common than any individual number
- Can be placed, removed, reduced, or turned off at any time, giving you full control
- Laying the 4/10 with vig on wins produces a 1.67% house edge, competitive with the table’s best bets
- Work well alongside don’t pass and don’t come bets for a cohesive dark-side strategy
- You must risk more than you win (2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8)
- The 5% vig on wins adds a cost that free odds behind don’t pass/don’t come don’t have
- Laying the 6/8 carries a 4.00% edge (vig always), worse than placing the same numbers (1.52%)
- Social awkwardness: you’re visibly betting against the table, which some players dislike
- Vig policies vary by casino; you must ask before assuming the favorable vig-on-wins structure
The Lay Bet: True Odds With a Commission, Best on the 4 and 10
The lay bet is the dark-side player’s tool for expanding number coverage beyond the don’t pass line. At its best, laying the 4 or 10 with vig charged only on wins, it costs just 1.67% per dollar, which is competitive with many of the best craps bets on the table. At its worst, laying the 6 or 8 with vig on every bet, it costs 4.00%, making it an overpay for thin odds.
The rule is simple: lay the 4 and 10, skip the 6 and 8, and always ask about the vig policy first. Use free odds behind your don’t pass bet whenever possible (0% always beats 1.67%). Keep your lay bets as supplements to a core dark-side strategy, not replacements for it. Practice the full system on our free craps simulator and you’ll have the rhythm down before you visit a live table.
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Lay Bets FAQs
A lay bet is a wager that the 7 will appear before a specific point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10). It pays at true odds minus a 5% commission (vig) on the win amount. You win more often than you lose, but you must risk more than you stand to collect because the 7 is favored. Lay bets can be placed, removed, or turned off at any time.
Lay bets pay at true odds: 1:2 on the 4/10 (risk $40 to win $20), 2:3 on the 5/9 (risk $30 to win $20), and 5:6 on the 6/8 (risk $24 to win $20). A 5% commission on the win amount is charged either up front or only on wins, depending on the casino. Full payout details are in our craps payout chart.
With vig on every bet: 2.44% (4/10), 3.23% (5/9), 4.00% (6/8). With vig on wins only: 1.67% (4/10), 2.00% (5/9), 2.27% (6/8). Always ask the dealer whether vig is charged up front or only on wins, as this significantly affects the cost. The 4 and 10 offer the best lay bet value at either vig structure.
Yes. Lay bets can be taken down, reduced, or turned “off” at any time by telling the dealer. This gives you more flexibility than locked bets like the pass line (which can’t be removed once the point is set). If the vig was charged up front, you don’t get it back when taking the bet down.
A buy bet wagers that a specific number will appear before the 7. A lay bet wagers the 7 will appear first. Both pay at true odds and charge a 5% vig. Buy bets risk less to win more (but win less often). Lay bets risk more to win less (but win more often). On the 4 and 10 with vig on wins, both carry the same 1.67% house edge.
Generally, no. Laying the 6 or 8 carries a 4.00% house edge (vig on every bet) or 2.27% (vig on wins only). A place bet on the same numbers costs just 1.52%. If you want action on the 6 and 8, place them rather than lay against them. Save your lay bets for the 4 and 10, where the math strongly favors you. See our best craps bets for the full ranking.
