Buy Bets vs. Place Bets in Craps: The Math Difference
Last reviewed: October 2026
Buy bets pay true odds before commission; place bets pay a smaller fixed amount without a separate fee. Buying 4 or 10 usually wins the comparison under a 5% fee. Buying 5 or 9 can also be better when that fee is collected only on a win.
Place bets recap
Both bets ask whether a chosen number will roll before a 7. Other totals do not resolve the bet. With fair dice, the winning payouts and house edges per resolved place wager are:
| Number | True odds | Place profit | 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% |
Use bet amounts compatible with the payouts: multiples of $5 for place 4, 5, 9, and 10, and multiples of $6 for place 6 and 8. Payout rounding can change the result for other amounts.
Buy bets explained
A buy bet replaces the place payment with true odds and charges a commission, often called the vig. The table below assumes exactly 5% of the nominal wager, with no minimum fee or rounding. An upfront fee is paid in addition to the wager and retained when the bet resolves, whether it wins or loses. A win-only fee is deducted only from a winning payment.
| Number | Buy edge with an upfront fee, per wager plus fee | Buy edge with a win-only fee, per nominal wager |
|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 4.76% | 1.67% |
| 5 or 9 | 4.76% | 2.00% |
| 6 or 8 | 4.76% | 2.27% |
The upfront column uses a different denominator because you commit the stake and its fee. A $20 buy with $1 upfront costs $21. True odds have zero expectation before that fee, so the expected loss is $1: $1 ÷ $21 = 4.76%. Measured against the $20 nominal bet alone, it is 5%.
These are costs per resolved wager, not per dice roll. Taking a bet down, leaving a winner up, or renewing it may have additional commission consequences under the table’s rules.
When to Buy (and when not to)
4 and 10: There are three ways to roll the number and six ways to roll 7. A $20 buy with a $1 win-only fee earns $39 net profit on a win and loses $20 on a loss. Its expectation is (1/3 × $39) - (2/3 × $20) = -$0.33, or about 1.67%. A $20 place bet has expected loss about $1.33. Even the $1 retained upfront fee beats that place cost under these assumptions.
5 and 9: There are four winning combinations against six sevens. A $20 buy earns $29 after a $1 win-only fee. Its expectation is (4/10 × $29) - (6/10 × $20) = -$0.40, or 2%. A $20 place bet pays $28 and has expected loss $0.80, or 4%. Buying is better here with the win-only fee. With a retained $1 upfront fee, placing is better.
6 and 8: With five winning combinations against six sevens, the exact 5% win-only buy fee produces an edge of 2.27%. The place edge is lower at about 1.52%. For example, compare compatible $30 wagers: buying wins $34.50 after a $1.50 win-only fee, while placing wins $35. The place bet pays more on the same winning event.
The key question to ask
Ask: “For this amount, what commission do I pay if the bet wins or loses?” Then check when another fee is due and whether an upfront fee is returned if you take the bet down before it resolves.
A $1 minimum is 5% of $20 but 10% of $10. A rounded fee on a larger wager can be below 5%. Those differences can change which bet is cheaper; the percentage table is not a substitute for the actual dollar payment.
Practical strategy
For the exact fee schedules above, buy 4 and 10, buy 5 and 9 only with win-only commission, and place 6 and 8. If the fee or payout is rounded, calculate the cash flows again.
Choosing the cheaper version of a bet reduces its expected cost. Adding more numbers still exposes more money and is not automatically a useful hedge. Keep the overall wager within your budget, and compare these bets with free odds behind a line bet before choosing how to play.
Try the craps simulator to learn settlement and timing. Check its displayed rules before comparing a practice result with a casino’s commission policy.
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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).