Buying "non Place" bets

Am I correct that a buy (or lay - as well) bet can only be done with Place numbers ?

Where in craps rules does it state that a buy is only a "special type of place bet" ?

What would a dealer say if I asked to "Buy a Hard 8 for $20" ?

If it was accepted and then rolled, my $21 investement would pay $220 instead of a normal $20 hard 8 paying $180. Reducing a 16.67 HE to 4.76 would be nice.

BUT, I'm guessing buy bets only relate to place bets... right ?

Quote: NewToCraps

Am I correct that a buy (or lay - as well) bet can only be done with Place numbers ?

I am not as much a craps expert as some others here, but from what I know, this is correct.

Quote: NewToCraps

What would a dealer say if I asked to "Buy a Hard 8 for $20" ?

I would expect the dealer to think that you weren't quite sure what "buy" meant, and place your $20 in the Hard 8 box. If you handed the dealer $21 and said that your bet was $20, the dealer might ask exactly what you wanted to do.

You also can't "buy", say, the 12 (i.e. pay $21 to get 35-1 odds on a $20 bet), but of course that's different as it's a single-roll bet.

Thanks ... I thought that may be the case, but it never hurts to think outside the box - to be surprised sometimes.

Maybe it is time for a Craps rules re-write ...

It ain't broke, they ain't fixin it. Deal with it.

As a side note, does anyone know if the vig on the buy bets is paid upfront or after the winnings. I was also curious about the vig on the lay bets as well. Are those fees typically paid upfront or does the casino allow it after you win?

Quote: NewToCraps

Am I correct that a buy (or lay - as well) bet can only be done with Place numbers?
Where in craps rules does it state that a buy is only a "special type of place bet"?

I don't know where the "official" rules or suggested guidelines can be found (I believe each casino can implement the game however they wish), however, any craps tutorial will describe Place bets as "basically an on-demand Point".¹ "Place bets are just like odds bets, except no pass line bet is required, and don't pay as much odds."² "A Buy bet is the same as the place bet, only with a different payoff. You pay a 5% commission and are paid true odds if the bet wins."³ A Buy bet is not merely the act of paying a commission to be able to make a bet at true odds, it is the act of making a bet on "on-demand points" for true odds.

1. http://www.nextshooter.com/bets
2. https://wizardofodds.com/games/craps/basics/#toc-Place
3. http://www.nextshooter.com/bets

Quote: NewToCraps

What would a dealer say if I asked to "Buy a Hard 8 for $20" ?

Since there is no such thing as a Buy bet on the hardways, the dealer would most likely assume you simply intend to bet $20 on the Hard 8 and would probably only verbally confirm your bet: "$20 on Hard 8."

Quote: Wulfgar1224

As a side note, does anyone know if the vig on the buy bets is paid upfront or after the winnings. I was also curious about the vig on the lay bets as well. Are those fees typically paid upfront or does the casino allow it after you win?

Whether the vig on a Buy bet is charged upfront or only on a win varies by casino. It would be in your interest to inquire about specific house rules when you arrive to the table. (Anybody want to start a directory?) My experience at a few casinos in Las Vegas, 4 & 10 are charged vig on a win but the other numbers are charged upfront.

Whether the vig on a Lay bet is charged upfront or only on a win also varies by casino. I think you'll also find that the vig for 4 & 10 is charged on a win but the other numbers are charged upfront.

I also want to point out that Buy bets are charged the 5% vig on the bet amount and Lay bets are charged 5% on the win amount. A $20 Buy bet on 4 will win $40 and is charged $1 vig. A $40 Lay on 4 will win $20 and is charged $1 vig.