Buy Bets vs. Place Bets in Craps: The Math Difference
Last reviewed: June 2026
Buy bets pay true odds but charge commission, while Place bets pay less than true odds with no commission — Buy only wins on 4 and 10, and only if the casino charges commission on wins, not upfront.
Place bets recap
You can bet that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) will roll before a 7. The payouts are fixed and less than fair odds:
| Number | True odds | Place payout | Place house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 9:5 | 6.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 7:5 | 4.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 7:6 | 1.52% |
Place bets are straightforward: no commission, just a built-in markdown on the payout.
Buy bets explained
A Buy bet is a wager that the same number will roll before 7, but the casino pays you true odds (fair odds) in exchange for a 5% commission on your wager.
Typical commission structure: charged upfront (the casino takes it from your bet immediately). Some casinos charge commission only on wins, which dramatically improves the math.
| Number | True odds payout | Buy edge (5% commission upfront) | Buy edge (commission on wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 4.76% | 1.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 4.76% | 2.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 4.76% | 2.27% |
When to Buy (and when not to)
Buy 4 and 10 (if commission is on wins only): the 1.67% edge beats Place 4/10 at 6.67% by a mile. If the casino takes commission only when you win, Buy 4/10 is clearly superior.
Buy 4 and 10 (if commission is upfront): 4.76% still beats Place at 6.67%, but the advantage is smaller. Still worth it, but ask first.
Do NOT Buy 5, 9, or 6, 8: Buy at 4.76% upfront is worse than Place at 4.00% (5/9) and 1.52% (6/8). Buy makes sense nowhere except 4 and 10.
The key question to ask
Before placing a Buy bet, ask the dealer: “Is the commission charged upfront or on wins only?”
- On wins only: Buy 4/10 is an excellent edge play.
- Upfront: Buy 4/10 is still better than Place, but less impressive.
- Never Buy 5, 9, or 6, 8 regardless of commission structure.
Practical strategy
- Place the 6 and 8: 1.52% edge is excellent.
- Buy the 4 and 10 (if wins-only commission): 1.67% is nearly as good.
- Place 5 and 9 OR skip them: 4.00% is acceptable if you want to hedge, but not essential.
- Never touch Big 6/8 or center props: those are sucker bets.
Compare Bet Edges
- In the craps simulator, look at the odds breakdown for each number.
- Note the edge differences between Place 4/10 and Buy 4/10.
- Try placing 6 and 8 vs. a mix of buys and places — see the long-run edge difference.
Sources & Further Reading
- Wizard of Odds — Craps Appendix — detailed Buy vs. Place edge tables
- Casino rules — always confirm commission structure before you play
Educational explanation only. No real-money gambling happens on LearnTheOdds.
Responsible gambling: Play for entertainment, not income — the math favors the house over time. Set limits, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, take a break. 21+. Need help? Call 1-800-MY-RESET (1800myreset.org).