Craps Buy Bet Calculator: True Odds with Commission (2026)
Craps Buy Bet Calculator: Pay the Vig, Get True Odds
Buy bets offer something unique in craps: true odds payouts. The catch? A 5% commission (vig) that affects your edge. Our calculator shows exact payouts and helps you determine when buying beats placing.
What Is a Craps Buy Bet?
A buy bet is a wager that a specific number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will roll before a 7. Unlike place bets with house-adjusted payouts, buy bets pay true odds—but you pay a 5% commission for the privilege.
Quick Answer: Buy bets pay true odds (2:1 on 4/10, 3:2 on 5/9, 6:5 on 6/8) with a 5% commission. On 4 and 10, buying is better than placing (1.67% edge vs 6.67%). On 5, 9, 6, and 8, placing is better because the place bet edge is lower than 5% commission impact. Buy 4 and 10, place everything else.
How to Use Our Buy Bet Calculator
Use the Craps Buy Bet Calculator →
Enter your bet amount and number to see payouts with commission.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Enter Bet Amount: Your wager
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Select Number: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10
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Choose Commission Timing: On bet or on win only
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View True Odds Payout: Before commission
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See Net Payout: After commission
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bet Amount | Your wager | $25 |
| Number | Point to buy | 4 |
| True Odds | Actual payout | 2:1 |
| Commission | 5% vig | $1.25 |
| Gross Win | Before vig | $50 |
| Net Win | After vig | $48.75 |
Buy Bet Payouts
True Odds by Number
| Number | Ways to Roll | Ways to 7 | True Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 6 | 2:1 |
| 5 | 4 | 6 | 3:2 |
| 6 | 5 | 6 | 6:5 |
| 8 | 5 | 6 | 6:5 |
| 9 | 4 | 6 | 3:2 |
| 10 | 3 | 6 | 2:1 |
Payout Examples ($25 bet)
| Number | True Odds Win | Commission | Net Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | $50 | $1.25 | $48.75 |
| 5 | $37.50 | $1.25 | $36.25 |
| 6 | $30 | $1.25 | $28.75 |
| 8 | $30 | $1.25 | $28.75 |
| 9 | $37.50 | $1.25 | $36.25 |
| 10 | $50 | $1.25 | $48.75 |
Commission Timing: On Bet vs On Win
Commission on Every Bet
Traditional method:
- Pay 5% when making bet
- Commission lost even if bet loses
- Higher effective house edge
Commission on Win Only
Player-friendly method (some casinos):
- Pay 5% only when you win
- No commission on losses
- Lower effective house edge
Edge Comparison
| Number | Commission Always | Commission on Win |
|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 4.76% | 1.67% |
| 5/9 | 4.76% | 2.00% |
| 6/8 | 4.76% | 2.27% |
Buy vs Place: When to Buy
The Decision Matrix
| Number | Place Edge | Buy Edge (on win) | Better Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 6.67% | 1.67% | BUY |
| 5 | 4.00% | 2.00% | BUY |
| 6 | 1.52% | 2.27% | PLACE |
| 8 | 1.52% | 2.27% | PLACE |
| 9 | 4.00% | 2.00% | BUY |
| 10 | 6.67% | 1.67% | BUY |
The Rule
- Buy 4, 5, 9, 10 (if commission on win only)
- Place 6 and 8 (always)
- If commission on every bet: Buy only 4 and 10
Commission Calculation
Standard 5% Vig
Commission = Bet Amount × 5%
$20 bet: $20 × 0.05 = $1
$25 bet: $25 × 0.05 = $1.25
$50 bet: $50 × 0.05 = $2.50
$100 bet: $100 × 0.05 = $5
Minimum Commission Rules
Most casinos have minimum $1 commission:
| Bet Range | Commission |
|---|---|
| $1-$20 | $1 minimum |
| $21-$40 | $1-$2 |
| $41-$60 | $2-$3 |
Optimal bet: $20 (pay only $1 vig)
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Buy 4 for $25
Bet: $25 buy on 4 Commission timing: On win only
If 4 rolls:
- True odds payout: $25 × 2 = $50
- Commission: $25 × 5% = $1.25
- Net win: $48.75
If 7 rolls: Lose $25
Example 2: Buy 10 for $20 (Optimal)
Bet: $20 buy on 10 Commission: $1 minimum
If 10 rolls:
- True odds payout: $20 × 2 = $40
- Commission: $1
- Net win: $39
- Effective edge: 1.67%
Example 3: Place vs Buy Comparison
$30 on the 4:
| Method | Win | Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Place 4 | $54 (9:5) | 6.67% |
| Buy 4 | $58.50 ($60-$1.50) | 1.67% |
Buy wins by $4.50 per hit.
House Edge Deep Dive
Why 4/10 Favors Buying
Place 4 pays 9:5 (actual odds 6:3 = 2:1)
9:5 = 1.8:1 vs true 2:1
Edge = (2 - 1.8) / 3 × 100 = 6.67%
Buy 4 pays 2:1 minus 5%
Effective = 2:1 × 0.95 = 1.9:1
Edge = (2 - 1.9) / 3 × 100 = 1.67% (on win only)
Why 6/8 Favors Placing
Place 6/8 pays 7:6 (actual odds 6:5)
Edge = 1.52%
Buy 6/8 pays 6:5 minus 5%
Effective = 6:5 × 0.95 = 1.14:1
Edge = 2.27% (on win only)
Betting Strategies
Optimal Buy Bet Approach
| Principle | Application |
|---|---|
| Buy 4 and 10 | Always better than place |
| Place 6 and 8 | Always better than buy |
| Bet $20 units | Minimize commission impact |
| Confirm rules | Commission on win only? |
Commission-Minimizing Strategy
Optimal bet sizing:
$20 = $1 vig (5%)
$25 = $1.25 vig (5%)
$40 = $2 vig (5%)
Sweet spot: $20 bets (minimum vig)
Combined Place/Buy Strategy
| Number | Bet Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Buy | $20 |
| 5 | Buy or Place | $25 |
| 6 | Place | $30 |
| 8 | Place | $30 |
| 9 | Buy or Place | $25 |
| 10 | Buy | $20 |
Common Buy Bet Mistakes
1. Buying 6 and 8
Mistake: Thinking buy = always better Problem: Place 6/8 has lower edge (1.52% vs 2.27%) Fix: Always place 6 and 8
2. Ignoring Commission Timing
Mistake: Assuming all casinos are same Problem: Commission-always doubles edge Fix: Ask before betting; find win-only casinos
3. Wrong Bet Sizing
Mistake: Random amounts like $15, $35 Problem: Inefficient commission ratios Fix: Bet in $20 increments for optimal vig
4. Buying When You Should Lay
Mistake: Buy 4 when expecting 7 Problem: Wrong side of the bet Fix: If expecting 7, lay don't buy
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I buy instead of place?
Buy 4, 5, 9, and 10 when commission is charged on wins only. Always place 6 and 8—the place edge is lower.
What's the minimum buy bet?
Typically $20 to make the 5% commission work cleanly ($1). Some casinos allow lower with $1 minimum vig.
Can I take down a buy bet?
Yes. Buy bets can be removed or reduced at any time. If you paid commission upfront, some casinos return it; others don't.
Is the commission on the bet or the win?
Varies by casino. Commission on win only is better (1.67% edge vs 4.76%). Always ask before betting.
Why is buy better than place on 4/10?
Place 4/10 pays 9:5 (6.67% edge). Buy 4/10 pays 2:1 minus 5% = 1.67% edge. The difference is massive.
Do I pay commission if I lose?
Depends on casino rules. "Commission on win only" means no. Traditional rules charge commission when bet is made.
Advanced Concepts
Effective Payout Calculation
Effective Payout = True Odds × (1 - Commission%)
Buy 4 at 2:1 with 5% vig:
Effective = 2.0 × 0.95 = 1.90:1
Break-Even Analysis
For buy bet to equal place bet edge:
Buy edge must equal place edge
6/8: Buy edge = 2.27%, Place edge = 1.52%
4/10: Buy edge = 1.67%, Place edge = 6.67%
Buy beats place on 4, 5, 9, 10
Place beats buy on 6, 8
Variance Comparison
| Bet | Variance | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Place | Lower | More frequent, smaller wins |
| Buy | Higher | Same frequency, larger wins |
Pro Tips
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Buy 4/10 always: Best buy value in craps
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Place 6/8 always: Lowest house edge numbers
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Ask about vig timing: Commission on win = half the edge
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Bet $20 units: Optimal commission efficiency
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Know your casino: Rules vary significantly
Related Calculators
- Craps Odds Calculator - All bet types
- Craps Place Bet Calculator - Place comparison
- Craps Lay Bet Calculator - Betting against
- Craps House Edge Calculator - Edge comparison
- Craps Pass Line Calculator - Core bets
Conclusion
Buy bets offer true odds payouts—a rarity in craps. The 5% commission is the trade-off, but on 4 and 10 it's absolutely worth it. Our calculator shows exact payouts and helps you navigate the buy vs place decision. Know your casino's commission rules, bet in $20 increments, and always buy 4/10 while placing 6/8.
Calculate Buy Bet Payouts Now →
The buy bet is craps' hidden gem for informed players. Understanding when the 5% commission is worth paying separates knowledgeable bettors from the crowd. Use our calculator to see the math clearly and make optimal decisions at the table.
