If you’ve spent any time around a craps table, you’ve likely heard a player tell the dealer, "Buy the 4 for twenty-five." At first glance, it looks like a standard , but there’s a distinct difference in how the casino pays you out—and how much they take for the privilege. What is a Buy Bet?

A Buy Bet is a wager that a specific point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) will be rolled before a 7. In terms of mechanics, it is identical to a Place Bet, but the payout structure changes:

Mastering the Craps Table: Should You "Buy" Your Way to Better Odds?

To get these true odds, you must pay the casino a , commonly known as the "vig" (vigorish). The Math: When Does "Buying" Make Sense?

The house edge drops significantly compared to Placing. 5 or 9 3:2 (minus vig) Rarely worth it. The commission often eats the benefit. 6 or 8 6:5 (minus vig) Never Buy. The Place Bet is much better for these numbers. Pro Tip: The "$20 Rule"

Pays slightly less than true odds (the house keeps a "built-in" profit). Buy Bet: Pays true mathematical odds .