Craps Buy Bet: Understanding the Rules and Odds

Q: Is it better to place or buy in craps?

It is better to place when betting on the 6 or 8. When betting on the 5 or 9, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $50 or more. You will make $1 more on the payout with a buy bet of $50. When betting on the 4 or 10, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $20 or more.

In this post, we will focus on the craps buy bet, which is a bet that is rarely made, and typically only made on the 4 and 10. Although it can be made on the 5, 6, 8, or 9 as well. Craps is a popular dice game at casinos, and there are many different types of bets that can be placed on the craps table.

We will cover how the buy bet works, whether it is a good bet to place, the odds of winning, and other important information about the buy bet in craps.

Craps table layout with buy bets and place bets area highlighted

How the buy Bet works

The Buy Bet is a wager that a particular number will be rolled before the seven appears. This bet is similar to the Place Bet, but with a different payout structure.

A buy bet can be placed on the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10, although the vast majority of casinos will not allow them on the 6 or 8. It is also somewhat common to see them not allowed on the 5 or 9 as well. To place a buy bet, simply place your money on the craps table layout and tell the dealer which number you’d like to buy. For example, “buy the 4 for $25”.

Buy bets are paid at true odds, minus a 5% commission, or vig. Some casinos collect the vig up front, others collect if the bet wins. The house edge is significantly reduced when the casino collects after a bet wins.

Why? If you bet $25 and you pay the commission upfront, you’ll put $26 on the table. If the bet loses, you are out $26. On the other hand, if the casino only collects after a win and you put the same $25 bet on the craps table and lose, you are out $25. $1 is small, I know, but it adds up and contributes to the overall house edge.

If you are new to craps, learn more about how craps works here.

When to Use a Buy Bet

Place bets are almost always better on the 6 or 8. Because there is a 5% commission, it does not make sense to buy the 6 or 8 until you have a bet amount greater than $126. Although you could buy it at this point, this is not something dealers do often and it may slow the pace of play significantly. This also assumes the commission is after the bet wins. And it is unlikely the casino actually lets you buy these numbers. Some limit you to only the 4 and 10, while some will limit you from buying more than one number.

When betting on the 5 or 9, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $50 or more. Compared to a place bet, you will make $1 more on the payout with a buy bet at $50. Also note – a lot of casinos do not allow buy bets on the 5 and 9.

When betting on the 4 or 10, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $20 or more.

Odds of Winning & Craps Buy Bet Payout

Buy bets payouts

4 or 10 pays 2:1
5 or 9 pays 3:2
6 or 8 pays 6:5

You will pay a 5% commission, usually rounded to the nearest dollar unless your casino has $.50 cent chips. Although buy bets pay true odds, the house still has to get paid.

Payouts are determined by local gaming commission regulations, most states follow the same payouts and commissions as listed above, but these could vary from one jurisdiction to another. The above are from NV.

House Edge on buy Bets

The house edge on buy bets fluctuates based on the amount bet and whether the commission is taken upfront or after a win. Here is the breakdown of the house edge for the 4 and 10.

Bet Amount	House Edge – Vig Up Front	House Edge – Vig After Win
$20	4.76%	1.67%
$25	3.85%	1.33%
$30	3.23%	1.11%

Craps buy Bets FAQs:

What is the difference between a place bet and a buy bet in craps?

The payout on place bets are slightly less than true odds. Buy bets are paid at true odds, but a 5% commission, or vig, is taken on buy bets. Because there is a 5% commission, it does not make sense to buy the 6 or 8 since your expected loss is already less than the 5% you would give up on a buy bet.

Buying the 4 or 10, once you have $25 or more on it makes sense. Keep in mind, some casinos will collect the commission after the number hits. In that case, they automatically “buy” the 4 or 10 once you get up to $20 or more. Other casinos may collect at the time the bet is made and they will place a “buy” token on top of your bet to keep track.

Is it better to place or buy in craps?

It is better to place when betting on the 6 or 8.

When betting on the 5 or 9, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $50 or more. You will make $1 more on the payout with a buy bet of $50.

When betting on the 4 or 10, it is better to place until you reach a bet amount of $20 or more.

Can you pull down a buy bet in craps?

Yes, a buy bet can be pulled down at any time. You can also turn the bet off anytime. By default, buy bets follow the point cycle, when there is no point established, your buy bet is “off”. Once a point is established, the bet is “on”.

Should I buy the 6 or 8 in craps?

No, unless you are betting more than $126 on the number and the casino collects its commission AFTER a win. The house edge by placing the 6 or 8 is less than the 5% commission you will pay to “buy” it until you get into the $126+ range.

Also note, most casinos will not allow you to buy the 6 or 8. It will drastically slow down the game as most dealers are not used to dealing with those payouts. Some casinos even prevent you from buying the 5 or 9.

What is a buy vs lay in craps?

With a “buy bet”, you will win if your number IS rolled before a seven.

With a “lay bet”, you will win if your number IS NOT rolled before a seven.

They also have a different payout structure – Check out our page on the Craps Lay Bet.

Why do you buy the 4 and 10 in craps?

Buying the 4 or 10 can significantly reduce the house edge, increasing your chances of winning. For example, if the casino collects its commission after a win and you buy the 4 for $25, it brings the house edge down to 1.33%. This is better than a pass-line bet, which carries a house edge of 1.41%.

What is statistically the best craps strategy?

Odds bets are by far the best, in order to place odds you would need to make line bets or come bets. Maximizing your odds leads to a reduced house edge and increases your chances of winning.

Proposition bets, or prop bets (aka sucker bets), are the worst bets in the game. Although fun with big payouts, over the long-term, your chances of winning on those bets are significantly less.

Bottom line – any of the bets where you can place odds. The more odds you place, the lower the house edge.

Related – Advanced Craps Betting Strategy

Final Thoughts

When it comes to bets in craps, the buy bet is one you should definitely implement if your strategy already includes place bets on the 4 or 10. Especially if the vig is taken after a winning bet.

Every casino has unique rules, so be sure to understand what they will and will not allow. For example, the 5% commission is not static since the craps game (most of them) only has chips in $1 increments. Because of this, the commission is rounded off and some casinos will round down. This means you could get a $39 buy bet for only a $1 commission, instead of the $1.95.

It’s pretty rare to come across that, however. A lot of casinos will not allow you to buy anything other than a 4 or 10 as well.

Good luck on the tables!