In many casinos, the minimum commission is $1. Since 5% of $20 is exactly $1, players often wait until they are betting at least $20 (or $25) to "Buy" the 4 or 10. If you bet less, the $1 commission becomes a much higher percentage of your wager, making it a bad deal. The "Vig" Variation
Pays slightly less than true odds (the house keeps a "built-in" profit). Buy Bet: Pays true mathematical odds . craps buy bet
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" In many casinos, the minimum commission is $1
Some player-friendly casinos only charge the vig if the bet actually wins. This is the "gold standard" for craps players, as it drastically lowers the house edge. The "Vig" Variation Pays slightly less than true