Buy Bets Explained
What this guide covers
Buy bets offer a genuinely different trade-off than place bets on the same numbers — true odds payouts in exchange for a commission. This guide covers exactly how that trade-off works and when it's worth taking. For the standard alternative it's compared against, see place bets explained; for the broader betting menu, see craps betting guide.
How a buy bet works
A buy bet wagers on the same outcome as a place bet — a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) repeating before a 7 — but pays true mathematical odds instead of the adjusted, lower place-bet payout. In exchange for this better payout, the casino charges a commission, typically 5% of the bet amount, usually collected upfront regardless of whether the bet wins or loses.
Buy bet payout table
| Number | True odds payout | Commission | Effective house edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 or 10 | 2:1 | 5% | ~4.76% |
| 5 or 9 | 3:2 | 5% | ~4.76% |
| 6 or 8 | 6:5 | 5% | ~4.76% |
Because the commission is typically a flat 5% regardless of which number you're buying, the effective house edge is roughly the same across all six numbers on a buy bet — a meaningfully different pattern than place bets, whose house edge varies considerably by number.
Why buy bets are better value specifically on 4 and 10
Comparing the tables directly: a place bet on 4 or 10 carries a 6.67% house edge, while a buy bet on the same numbers carries roughly 4.76% — genuinely better value once you account for the commission. This is the clearest case where paying for true odds beats accepting the adjusted place-bet payout.
Why buy bets are worse value on 5, 6, 8, and 9
The comparison flips for the table's better-value numbers: a place bet on 6 or 8 carries just 1.52% house edge, while a buy bet on the same numbers costs roughly 4.76% once commission is included — considerably worse. The commission simply costs more than the payout improvement it buys on these already-favorable numbers, making a straightforward place bet the better choice.
When commission is charged
Commission timing varies by casino policy — some charge it upfront when the bet is placed, regardless of eventual outcome, while others charge it only if the bet wins. A "win-only" commission structure is meaningfully better for the player, since a loss doesn't compound with an additional commission cost on top of the lost stake. Checking a specific table's or platform's commission policy is worth doing before relying heavily on buy bets.
Worked example: buying the 4
A $20 buy bet on 4, with 5% commission charged upfront ($1), costs $21 total to place. If a 4 rolls before a 7, the bet pays 2:1 true odds on the $20 stake — $40 in winnings, for a net profit of $39 after accounting for the $1 commission already paid. Compare this to a $20 place bet on 4, paying 9:5 for $36 in winnings with no commission — the buy bet's $39 net edges out the place bet's $36, confirming buying 4 is the better choice.
Worked example: buying the 6
A $30 buy bet on 6, with 5% commission ($1.50) charged upfront, costs $31.50 to place. If a 6 rolls before a 7, the bet pays 6:5 true odds — $36 in winnings, for a net profit of $34.50. Compare this to a $30 place bet on 6, paying 7:6 for $35 with no commission — the place bet's $35 modestly beats the buy bet's $34.50, confirming that placing (not buying) 6 remains the better choice.
Minimum bet sizes for buy bets
Because commission is calculated as a percentage, very small buy bets can produce commission amounts that round in the casino's favor (a $1 minimum commission regardless of a tiny percentage calculation, for instance) — meaning buy bets generally make more sense at larger bet sizes where the percentage-based commission scales proportionally rather than being swallowed by a rounding minimum. Check a specific table's minimum commission policy before buying small amounts.
Buy bets and standing bet flexibility
Like place bets, buy bets can be added, adjusted, or removed by the player at any time, and are similarly considered "not working" by default during come-out rolls unless you specify otherwise. This flexibility is identical to place bets — the only structural difference between the two is the payout-versus-commission trade-off covered throughout this guide.
A simple rule of thumb
Given the math above, the practical rule of thumb is straightforward: buy the 4 and 10 specifically (where true odds meaningfully beat the adjusted place payout even after commission), and simply place the 5, 6, 8, and 9 (where the standard place payout already beats what a buy bet would net after commission). This combines the best available option for each number rather than defaulting to either buy or place exclusively across the board.
Frequently asked questions
What's the core trade-off with a buy bet? You pay a commission (typically 5%) in exchange for a true-odds payout instead of the lower, adjusted place-bet payout on the same number.
Are buy bets always better than place bets? No — they're specifically better value on 4 and 10, but worse value on 5, 6, 8, and 9, where the standard place-bet payout already exceeds what a buy bet nets after commission.
Does commission timing matter? Yes — a "win-only" commission policy is better for the player than one charged upfront regardless of outcome, since a loss doesn't also cost you the commission.
Can I remove a buy bet at any time? Yes — like place bets, buy bets offer full flexibility to add, adjust, or remove them at the player's discretion.
Should I buy every number instead of placing them? No — the practical rule of thumb is buying only 4 and 10 specifically, and placing 5, 6, 8, and 9, since that combination captures the best available payout for each individual number.
Are buy bets active during a come-out roll? Not by default — like place bets, they're typically considered "not working" during come-out rolls unless you specifically request otherwise.
