Lay Bet

A Lay bet in craps is a wager against a specific box number. It is a common “don’t-style” option because you are siding with 7, the most frequent roll outcome in the game. Lay bets often include a commission (also called a vig), so it is worth checking the rules before you place one.

What a Lay Bet Means

Think of a Lay bet as saying, “I want the seven first”. The bet stays active until it is decided by a 7 or your chosen number. Unlike some wagers that depend on the point, a Lay bet is usually handled as a simple race between those two outcomes. Lay bets are normally offered only on the box numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, not on 2, 3, 11, or 12.

How a Lay Bet Works

You place the bet on the number you want to lay, then wait for the rolls to resolve it. In many versions of craps, including the increasingly popular live dealer craps online, you can make this bet whenever betting is open, watching the action unfold in real-time.

Follow these simple steps to place a Lay bet:

Choose a number to lay: 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10.
Enter your lay amount on that number.
The next rolls continue until 7 hits (win) or your number hits (lose).

Example situation: You lay the 9 and a few rolls pass with no decision. When a 7 appears before a 9, the Lay bet wins.

Payouts and Commission

Lay bet payouts look unusual because you are backing the more likely side. That is why you typically risk more to win less. Many games also charge a commission, often around 5%, which lowers your net profit. Some take it upfront, while others take it only when you win.

Typical lay payouts (before commission):

Lay 4 or 10: win 1 for every 2 you lay.
Lay 5 or 9: win 2 for every 3 you lay.
Lay 6 or 8: win 5 for every 6 you lay.

Example: If you lay $40 against 4, the usual payout is 1 for every 2 you lay, so you win $20 when a 7 appears first. With a 5% commission on the win, you pay $1, so your net profit is $19. If 4 appears first, you lose the $40.