craps what is buy and place 2026
Master craps "buy" and "place" bets with our in-depth guide. Learn the real costs, best numbers, and when to avoid them. Play smarter today.>
craps what is buy and place
craps what is buy and place — two of the most misunderstood wagers at the table. They appear simple: you’re betting a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will hit before a 7 rolls. But their mechanics, payouts, and hidden fees diverge sharply. A "Place" bet pays fixed odds that are less than true mathematical odds. A "Buy" bet pays true odds—but the casino charges a 5% commission, usually upfront. This tiny detail creates a cascade of strategic implications most players never consider.
The Illusion of Simplicity
At first glance, both bets serve the same purpose. You slide your chips into the designated box for your chosen point number. The dealer moves them to the appropriate spot on the layout. If your number rolls before a 7, you win. If a 7 appears first, you lose. End of story? Not even close.
The devil lives in the payout structure. Place bets use casino-defined odds:
- 4 or 10: pays 9:5 (or 1.8:1)
- 5 or 9: pays 7:5 (or 1.4:1)
- 6 or 8: pays 7:6 (or ~1.17:1)
These are worse than the true odds of rolling those numbers versus a 7:
- True odds for 4/10: 2:1
- True odds for 5/9: 3:2 (1.5:1)
- True odds for 6/8: 6:5 (1.2:1)
A Buy bet fixes this by offering the true odds—but slaps on a 5% vigorish (vig). For a $20 Buy on the 4, you’d typically pay a $1 commission (5% of $20), then win $40 if it hits (true 2:1 odds on your $20 stake). Your net win is $39 after the vig.
This trade-off—worse odds vs. a direct fee—is the core tension between Place and Buy.
What Others Won't Tell You
Most beginner guides parrot the rule: “Buy the 4 and 10; Place the 6 and 8.” It’s incomplete and sometimes dangerously wrong. Here’s what they omit:
-
Commission Timing Varies by Casino:
In Las Vegas and many online casinos, the 5% vig on Buy bets is charged when you make the bet. In some Atlantic City or international venues, it’s only charged on winning bets. This single difference flips the math. Paying vig only on wins makes Buy bets on 5 and 9 viable—and sometimes superior to Place bets. -
Table Minimums Distort Value:
A $10 minimum table forces awkward stakes. To minimize vig impact on a Buy 4/10, you need stakes divisible by $20 (so the $1 vig is exactly 5%). Betting $25 incurs a $2 vig (8% effective fee!). Many players unknowingly inflate the house edge by ignoring this. -
Place Bets on 6/8 Aren’t Always Best:
Yes, their house edge is a low 1.52%. But if you’re playing a short session or chasing quick action, the higher volatility of a Buy 4/10 (with its 4.76% edge when vig is upfront) might align better with your bankroll goals—even if it’s mathematically inferior long-term. -
Online Craps Can Have Different Rules:
Some digital platforms automate the vig collection differently or offer “no-vig” promotions. Never assume the land-based rules apply. Always check the paytable or help section. -
The “Push” Myth:
A persistent rumor claims Buy bets push (tie) if a 7 rolls immediately after placement. This is false. Like all multi-roll bets, Buy and Place resolve only when the chosen number or a 7 appears. Every roll in between is irrelevant.
When to Use Which Bet: A Strategic Breakdown
Choosing between Buy and Place isn’t just about the number—it’s about your session length, bankroll size, and risk tolerance.
For marathon sessions where the house edge compounds, stick to the mathematically optimal choices:
- Always Place 6 and 8. Their 1.52% edge is the lowest among these options.
- Buy 4 and 10 only if the vig is taken on wins. Otherwise, Place them (6.67% edge) is still worse than Buy (4.76%), so Buy remains preferable despite the vig.
For shorter, aggressive play:
- Consider Buying 5 and 9 if the casino charges vig on wins only. The house edge drops to 2.0%, beating the Place bet’s 4.0%.
- Avoid fractional bets. Round your Buy stakes to multiples of $20 for 4/10 and $25 for 5/9 to keep the vig at a clean 5%.
Remember: no version of these bets beats the Pass Line (1.41% edge) or Don’t Pass (1.36%) for pure efficiency. Use Buy and Place as tactical tools, not your foundation.
The Real Cost: House Edge Comparison
This table cuts through the noise. It shows the effective house edge for each bet under common casino conditions. All figures assume standard rules unless noted.
| Point Number | Bet Type | Vig Charged When? | House Edge | True Odds | Casino Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | Place | N/A | 6.67% | 2:1 | 9:5 (1.8:1) |
| 4 or 10 | Buy | On placement | 4.76% | 2:1 | 2:1 minus 5% vig |
| 4 or 10 | Buy | On win only | 1.67% | 2:1 | 2:1 minus 5% vig |
| 5 or 9 | Place | N/A | 4.00% | 3:2 | 7:5 (1.4:1) |
| 5 or 9 | Buy | On placement | 4.76% | 3:2 | 3:2 minus 5% vig |
| 5 or 9 | Buy | On win only | 2.00% | 3:2 | 3:2 minus 5% vig |
| 6 or 8 | Place | N/A | 1.52% | 6:5 | 7:6 (~1.17:1) |
| 6 or 8 | Buy | On placement | 4.76% | 6:5 | 6:5 minus 5% vig |
Key takeaway: The 6 and 8 should almost never be bought. The Place bet’s edge is simply too good. The value of Buy bets hinges entirely on the vig policy for 4/10 and 5/9.
Practical Examples from the Table
Imagine you’re at a Las Vegas Strip casino with a $10 minimum. You want to bet on the 4.
Scenario A: Place Bet
You put down $10. If the 4 hits, you win $18 (9:5 on $10). House edge: 6.67%.
Scenario B: Buy Bet (Vig Upfront)
You put down $20 + $1 vig. Total risk: $21. If the 4 hits, you win $40. Net profit: $19. House edge: 4.76%. Better, but you’ve committed more capital.
Scenario C: Buy Bet (Vig on Win Only – Rare in Vegas)
You put down $20. If the 4 hits, you win $40 minus $1 vig = $39. Net profit: $19. House edge plummets to 1.67%. This is the golden scenario—if you can find it.
Now, for the 6:
- A $12 Place bet wins $14 (7:6). Edge: 1.52%.
- A $20 Buy bet (with $1 vig upfront) wins $24 (6:5 on $20) for a net $23. But you’ve paid an extra $1 for a much worse deal. The math screams: just Place it.
Navigating Online Craps Platforms
The principles remain, but execution differs. Reputable US-licensed online casinos (operating in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Michigan) must disclose their rules clearly.
Look for these details in the game’s info panel:
- Vig Policy: Is the 5% commission deducted from your balance on bet placement, or only subtracted from winnings?
- Minimum Stakes: Some platforms allow $1 or $2 bets, making precise vig management easier.
- Auto-Bet Features: These can accidentally lock you into suboptimal stakes. Manually verify your bet amount and expected payout before confirming.
Never assume an online craps game mirrors the brick-and-mortar experience. A 2025 audit by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement found minor but material differences in vig handling across three major platforms. Due diligence is non-negotiable.
Conclusion
craps what is buy and place boils down to a choice between paying a direct fee for fair odds (Buy) or accepting reduced payouts with no upfront cost (Place). The optimal path isn’t universal. It depends on the specific casino’s commission rules, your chosen number, and your personal strategy. For the 6 and 8, Place is king. For the 4 and 10, Buy is usually better—but only if you manage your stake to control the vig’s impact. And for the 5 and 9, the decision hinges entirely on whether the casino charges that 5% when you bet or when you win. Arm yourself with this knowledge, observe the table’s rules, and never let a seemingly simple bet become a silent bankroll killer.
What's the main difference between a Buy bet and a Place bet in craps?
A Place bet pays out at fixed, below-true odds with no commission. A Buy bet pays true odds but requires a 5% commission (vig), which can be charged either when you place the bet or only if you win, depending on the casino.
Should I always Buy the 4 and 10 instead of Placing them?
Almost always, yes. The house edge for a Buy bet on 4/10 is 4.76% (with vig upfront), which is better than the 6.67% edge of a Place bet. However, if the casino charges the vig only on wins, the edge drops to a fantastic 1.67%, making it a top-tier bet.
Is it ever smart to Buy the 6 or 8?
No. The Place bet on 6 or 8 has a very low house edge of 1.52%. Buying them introduces a 5% vig, which results in a much higher house edge of 4.76%, making it a poor strategic choice.
How does the 5% commission (vig) work on a Buy bet?
The standard commission is 5% of your bet amount. For a $20 bet, that's $1. In many casinos, you pay this $1 when you make the bet. In others, it's deducted from your winnings if the bet is successful. Always clarify the casino's policy before betting.
What's the best way to minimize the cost of the vig?
Bet in increments that make the 5% vig a whole dollar amount. For the 4 and 10, use multiples of $20 (e.g., $20, $40, $60). For the 5 and 9, use multiples of $25. This prevents the casino from rounding the vig up, which would increase your effective house edge.
Do online craps games handle Buy and Place bets the same as live casinos?
Not necessarily. While the core concepts are identical, the implementation of the vig can differ. Some online platforms may have different minimum bets or automated vig collection methods. Always review the specific game's rules and paytable before playing.
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