Playing the 4 and 10 in Craps: Place vs. Buy
Place 4/10 · Buy 4/10 · Commission · Pressing rules
The 4 and 10 pay more than other Place numbers because each has only three combinations. That higher payout does not make them better bets. At common rules, a Place 4/10 carries a 6.67% house edge; a properly priced Buy bet may cost substantially less.
Ask “Place or Buy?” before betting
A $5 Place 4 wins $9. A Buy 4 pays true odds of 2 to 1, less the casino’s commission. The better choice depends on the wager size, how the vig is rounded, and whether it is charged up front or only after a win.
Why 4 and 10 behave alike
There are three ways to roll 4, three ways to roll 10, and six ways to roll 7. Once a Place or Buy bet is working, the chosen number wins one-third of resolved number-versus-7 decisions and 7 wins two-thirds. Other totals are neutral and the bet remains.
| Example | Win result | Loss result | Expected loss per decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 Place 4 or 10 | +$9 | −$5 | About $0.33, or 6.67% of $5 |
| $20 Buy, $1 vig only on win | +$39 | −$20 | About $0.33, or 1.67% of $20 |
The Buy example is not universal. A commission charged before the outcome or rounded unfavorably can materially increase the cost. Some tables automatically treat qualifying 4/10 wagers as Buy bets; others require the player to ask.
How to make and manage the bet
- Place chips in the Come area and tell the dealer “Buy the 4” or “Place the 10.”
- Confirm the commission timing and minimum Buy amount.
- Know the working status. Place and Buy bets are commonly off on the come-out unless called on.
- After a win, say “same bet,” “press,” “take me down,” or the exact new amount.
- Check the payout before the next roll if something looks wrong.
A point being made does not automatically end the bet
A Place or Buy bet normally remains on the layout until it loses to 7, the player removes it, or house procedure says otherwise. When a point is made, the next roll becomes a come-out; the bet is commonly off for that roll. Confirm rather than assuming.
Pressing the 4 or 10
Pressing increases the next payout and the amount the next 7 can take. A winning payout is your money—not the casino’s—so define the schedule before play. A conservative rule might collect the first payout and press only a fixed portion of a later one. It changes volatility, not expectation.
Do not choose 4 or 10 because either has appeared recently or seems due. Compare the complete Place bet guide, Buy bet guide, and our audit of Buy versus Place on 5 and 9.
