A buy bet is a craps wager where you bet that a chosen number will roll before a 7, while paying the casino a commission, usually called the vig. In casino language, a buy bet turns a place-style number bet into a true-odds-priced wager, but the commission keeps the house edge alive.
Plain Talk
A buy bet looks a lot like a place bet because you choose a number such as 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10. The difference is the price. A normal place bet pays fixed casino odds. A buy bet pays closer to the true odds of the number, but the casino charges a commission for giving you that better price.
That commission is the important part. A $25 buy bet on the 4 or 10 might pay true odds of 2 to 1, but the casino may charge $1 or $2 depending on house rules and whether vig is collected upfront or only after a win.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Craps and the Glossary.
Where You See It
Buy bets appear on live craps tables, electronic craps layouts, and some online craps games. You may hear the dealer say “buy the 4,” “buy the 10,” or “buy the 5 and 9.” Some casinos require a minimum bet size before buying a number makes sense because the vig has to be rounded.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Bet | A number bet with commission | Craps layout, dealer calls, game rules | Changes the payout and cost |
| Vig | Commission paid to the house | Buy and lay bets | Creates the house edge |
| True Odds | Mathematical odds of the event | Craps math and payout comparison | Explains why the bet pays more than a place bet |
| Place Bet | Similar number bet without commission | Craps layout | Often compared with buy bets |
For rules and house-edge comparisons, outside references such as Wizard of Odds craps basics, Wizard of Odds craps appendix, and official casino rule materials such as Venetian craps rules are useful for comparing payouts and procedures.
Why It Matters
A buy bet is not “free better odds.” It is better pricing with a fee attached. Whether it is smarter than a place bet depends on the number, the bet size, the vig amount, and when the vig is collected.
The classic comparison is the 4 and 10. A place bet on the 4 or 10 pays 9 to 5. A buy bet usually pays 2 to 1, then subtracts commission. That can be better for larger bets, especially when the casino collects vig only on winning bets.
Example
You buy the 10 for $25. The true odds against rolling a 10 before a 7 are 2 to 1, so a winning buy bet may pay $50. If the casino charges $1 vig only on a win, your net profit is $49. If it charges the vig upfront, you pay the commission whether the bet wins or loses.
That small procedural detail changes the real value of the bet.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, a buy bet is a rated wager with a different payout treatment than a standard place bet. The dealer must book the bet correctly, collect or mark the vig according to house rules, and pay it at the proper odds.
Supervisors care because buy bets can create payout errors, especially on awkward bet sizes. Surveillance cares because commission handling, cap timing, late bets, and payout accuracy are part of game protection. The bet is not dangerous by itself; sloppy procedure around the bet is the problem.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often hear “true odds” and assume the house has no edge. That is wrong. The commission is the price of the better payout. The bet may be good compared with another craps bet, but it is still a casino wager unless a rare promotion or error changes the math.
Hard Truth
A buy bet sounds like the player is buying fairness. What the player is really buying is a better payout schedule with a fee attached.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| Lay Bet | Betting against a number instead of for it | Lay Bet |
| Place Bet | Similar number bet without the same commission structure | Place Bet |
| Odds Bet | True odds behind a pass, don’t pass, come, or don’t come bet | Odds Bet |
| Vig | The commission that changes the bet’s cost | Vig |
| The Point | The main number established after a come-out roll | The Point |
FAQ
Is a buy bet the same as a place bet?
No. Both are number bets, but a buy bet pays true-odds-style pricing and includes a commission.
Which numbers are commonly bought?
The 4 and 10 are the most common because the true-odds payout is meaningfully better than the place-bet payout. Some players also buy the 5, 6, 8, or 9 depending on house rules.
What does “vig on win only” mean?
It means the casino charges the commission only if the buy bet wins. This is usually better for the player than paying the commission upfront.
Does a buy bet have zero house edge?
No. The commission creates the house edge.
Should beginners use buy bets?
Beginners should first understand Pass Line, Odds Bet, and Place Bet before adding buy bets.
Deeper Insight
A buy bet sits between simple table play and casino math. It teaches one of the most important craps lessons: payout language can sound generous while the actual edge hides in rounding and procedure.
Formula / Calculation
| Metric | Formula | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Win on Buy Bet | Bet Amount × True-Odds Payout | What the bet pays before commission |
| Net Win on Buy Bet | Gross Win - Vig | What the player keeps after commission |
| Expected Loss | Total Amount Wagered × House Edge | Long-run average cost of the wager |
| Effective Commission Rate | Vig / Bet Amount | The fee as a percentage of the bet |
Formula Explanation in Plain English
The payout is only one part of the bet. If you buy the 4 for $25 and win $50 before a $1 vig, you did not really win $50. You won $49 net. In a single roll, that difference feels tiny. Across many decisions, it becomes the house edge.
Related Reading
Start with Craps for the full game picture, then read Pass Line, Odds Bet, Place Bet, and Lay Bet to compare the main number bets. For a casino-side view of table procedure, read Casino Operations and Table Game Protection.