Craps Buy Bet vs Place Bet

Players often ask whether it is better to buy a bet or place a bet in craps. Both wagers allow players to bet on numbers like 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, but the payouts and commission rules are different.

Bet Type	Odds Paid	Commission	Common Use
Place Bet	Less than true odds	No commission	Most common on 6 and 8
Buy Bet	True odds	5% commission	Often used on 4 and 10

Place Bet

Now that you understand how Come bets increases the amount of numbers you can bet on, let's discuss another way you can bet on multiple numbers with Place Bets. This is a great way to spread out your bets across the numbers. Because just like with eggs, you don’t want to put all your bets in one basket!

Unlike Come bets where the dice determines what number you bet on, with a Place Bet you choose what numbers you wish to bet on. Place Bets are similar to Come Bets except you don’t need two rolls of the dice before you get paid. However, since you are picking the numbers instead of the dice determining the number the odds are paid slightly less.

After a point has been established, you can bet on additional numbers. In the same area you would place your Come Bet, put down the money you wish to bet and tell the dealer both the numbers and the amount you wish to bet. The player is betting that their selected number will be rolled before a 7. Place bets will continue to win each time they roll before a 7, and all lose once a 7 OUT is rolled. If a 4 or 10 wins, then the odds will be paid 9 to 5, giving us a house edge of 6.67%. If a 5 or 9 win, then the odds will be paid 7 to 5, giving us a house edge of 4% and if a 6 or 8 win, then the odds will be paid 7 to 6, giving us a house edge of 1.52%.

In this example we will place a $25 chip down and say to the dealer, 6 and 8 $12 each. You can also just say "6 & 8," The dealer will know how much you want. Now when a 6 or an 8 is rolled you will be paid $14 each time. The difference between Come Bets and Place Bets, is that with a Come bet your money will come down when the number hits, with a Place Bet, your money will stay up to hopefully win again. However, another bonus with Place Bets, if you wish you can call your Place Bets down, by simply telling the dealer “Down on my number". Side note, it is important to understand to never reach inside the number boxes. This is the dealer’s working area and only the dealer’s hands are allowed in this area. Think of the dealer’s area like their personal bubble. Respect the dealer’s bubble—no hands in the number boxes! We learned this in kindergarten, and it still applies today! If the player wants to receive the correct payout for a 4, 5, 9, or 10 Place Bet, then their odds should be made in increments of $5. If the player wants to make a correct payout for a 6 or 8, then their odds bet should bet in increments of $6.

Now let's see what happens when there is a Point Winner. If you remember in the Come Bet lesson, if a 7 rolls you lose your original bet and get your odds returned to, and if your number rolls you only get paid on the original bet. With Place Bets, your bets are “OFF” on the Come Out roll. So, if a number is rolled where you have a Place Bet the dealer will ask you, "What would you like to do with your bet?," you have the option to, either take it down, move it to another number, or keep it on the number it is already on.

Buy Bets & Lay Bets

Now let's discuss Buy bets and Lay bets. On the 4 and 10, the odds on a Place Bet pay 9 to 5, but if we Buy the 4 and 10 we get the True Odds of 2 to 1. It will cost you 5% of your wager, because of the vig, but it takes this house edge from 6.67% down to 4.76%. Lay bets are like the Buy bets except they’re designated for the Don’ts. Let's look at this example:

Player 1 will Buy the 4 for $20. At the same time Player 2 will Lay the 4 for $40. The vigorish or Vig will cost you 5%. For the Buy bet we pay it on the amount we wager, for the Lay bet we pay it for the amount we will win. In both cases it is $20 which 5% of is $1. On the Lay bet the Vig will be paid at the time the bet is made. For the Buy bet the VIG will be collected either before or after the bet wins, depending on the casino’s rules.

So now if a 4 rolls, the Lay bet will lose. The Dealer will announce, "Down behind the 4" and the Buy bet will be paid 2 to 1. The dealer will cut out $40 and ask the player for $1 Vig or will take it out of the payout. The bet will stay up to win again unless the Player wishes to take the bet down.

If a 7 out rolls the Buy bet loses and the Lay bet will be paid 1 to 2. The dealer will announce, "paying behind" and pay the $40 Lay bet $20. And then place the winning bet inside the Don't Come box for the player to collect. You heard that right. This is one of the rare times in a casino where the player bets more than they win. The odds are in your favor, as you are more likely to win on this bet.