Place vs Buy Craps Guide

Place vs buy craps decisions come down to one tradeoff: fixed payouts versus true odds plus a commission.

Place bets favor 6 and 8 with steadier hit rates, while buy bets often make 4 and 10 more efficient when the casino only charges commission on wins.

Understanding the difference between place and buy bets in craps begins with how each wager sits on the table and how payouts align with the probability of each number.

A place bet is a wager on the four, five, six, eight, nine, or ten winning before a seven appears. The six and eight, for example, each carry five combinations out of thirty-six possible dice outcomes, giving them a 13.89 percent chance of appearing on any roll. A winning place bet on either returns 7-to-6, meaning a $12 wager pays $14.

According to American Gaming Association revenue reports, traditional brick-and-mortar slots and table games generated nearly $50 billion in annual revenue in 2024, underscoring how much play still flows through core wagers like place bets at regulated casinos, even on crypto casino sites.

What does it mean to buy a number in craps?

A buy bet matches the exact numbers but pays true odds after applying a 5 percent commission on winning results, clarifying what a buy bet in craps aims to accomplish. True odds for the 4 and 10 are 2-to-1, since each has three of the thirty-six possible outcomes, giving them an 8.33 percent probability.

A $20 buy bet on the 4, with a $1 commission at most casinos, pays $40 on a win, which helps explain what it means to buy a number in craps and why players often look at the 4 or 10 when buy rules are favorable.

Both options target the exact point numbers, yet the payout paths differ because place bets rely on fixed returns, while buy bets use true odds with a commission.

Place and buy bets target the same point numbers, but the financial outcome changes sharply once you compare their payouts, commission rules, and house edges side by side.

The numbers below show how a typical $20 wager performs under standard rules, which makes it easier to see when a place bet or a buy bet offers a stronger return.

These examples make the pattern clear: place bets are usually more efficient on 6 and 8, while buy bets gain an edge on 4 and 10 only when the casino charges commission on wins, instead of upfront.

Place bet payouts follow standardized schedules that reflect the frequency of each number, rather than true odds. The 6 and 8 return 7-to-6 because they appear more often, while the 5 and 9 pay 7-to-5, and the 4 and 10 pay 9-to-5.

Numerous online casinos prominently showcase bets because their consistent hit rates help players stay active for longer sessions; a $10 place bet on the 9 pays $14 when it hits, even though the true odds would yield a higher return, highlighting the cost embedded in the fixed payout model.

Buy bets mirror the same number range but apply true odds with a commission that shifts the edge in favor of the casino. The 4 and 10 pay 2-to-1 based on the correct probability, the 5 and 9 pay 3-to-2, and the 6 and 8 pay 6-to-5.

Most casinos take a five percent commission on winning wagers, although some collect it upfront. On many Las Vegas tables, buy bets on 4 and 10 charge 5 percent commission only on winners, and often round the vig down on bets of $20 or $25, which can temporarily push the effective house edge near 1.3 percent for those specific bet sizes.

For example, a $20 buy bet on the ten pays $40 at true odds but returns $39 after the commission at a standard table.

Commission details are often clearly displayed in game descriptions on gambling platforms, where live dealer craps interfaces show the exact vig, payout odds, and minimum buy thresholds next to each number selection.

Players often change between these wagers based on table rules, bankroll limits, and number volatility. The choice connects directly to place or buy craps evaluations because each option trades a different house edge for a different hit rate on specific numbers.

A simple scenario shows how the math functions during play. If a player places $18 on the 6, a hit pays $21. With 2 hits before a 7, the wager covers its cost and produces profit even on a moderate table minimum.

Many casinos offer 6 and 8 as core options for maintaining pacing, without shifting into higher volatility.

A numerical comparison highlights the difference between place and buy in craps. A $20 place bet on the 10 pays $36, while a $20 buy bet pays $40 minus a $1 commission, creating a net return of $39. This efficiency strengthens the case for buying under favorable table rules.

These advantages extend to broader craps buy vs place vs lay evaluations, because choosing buy bets on the 4 and 10 aligns more closely with accurate probabilities than preset payouts.

*Assumes a five percent commission on wins.

Place, buy, and lay bets all target the same numbers but flip the direction of risk. Place and buy bets win when the number rolls before a 7, while lay bets win when a 7 appears first. On 4 and 10, that creates three distinct profiles for the same point.

Here is how a typical $20 wager behaves on 4 or 10 under common rules:

*Edges assume standard 5 percent commission with common rounding rules on live tables.

This is the practical difference in craps buy vs place vs lay decisions: placing 4 or 10 is simple but expensive, buying them reduces the edge when commission is only taken on wins. Laying them flips the bet, so you profit when the number never shows.

Dealers place both wager types in clearly marked boxes above the point numbers, with place bets set directly behind the number and buy bets marked with a small plastic button.

When a player requests a change, the dealer converts the wager by adjusting chip placement and confirming whether a commission applies.

Many layouts also highlight the distinction between payouts, making it easier to follow returns across volatility tiers. In high-volume environments, such as those featured in popular online casinos, digital dealers replicate this exact positioning. Hence, players understand where each bet sits and how it behaves after the dice settle.

Commission handling defines what does “buy” mean in craps during live gameplay. Dealers apply the fee on winning wagers, although some casinos take it up front. These rules shape the edge and influence which bet supports a player’s strategy under current table minimums.

The importance of clear dealer communication echoes guidance from casino consultant and author Bill Zender, whose Casino-ology series emphasizes transparent chip handling as a core part of game protection on live dice tables.

Place vs buy craps decisions shape how much edge you give the house on each number and how often your bets are likely to hit. Knowing the exact payouts, house edges, and commission rules on your table lets you decide when placing 6 and 8 or buying 4 and 10 makes more mathematical sense for your bankroll.

Please play responsibly. 21+, T&Cs apply.