Lesson Seven

Lay Bets

Making a Lay bet is simple enough. You get to choose the number 4,5,6,8,9,10 that you wish to Lay bet at anytime during the game. It is important to know that you are picking a number to lose. That is to say, the seven is your friend. You win your Lay bet when a seven rolls during any part of the game. The casino takes a a 5% commission on the money paid for a winning bet. Lay bets are paid off at True  Odds. (See the table below on True Odds)

$30 Lay bets on the 6 and 8

You make a Lay bet with the dealer. You call out your bet or bets to the dealer and place your chips on the layout in the Come field. "Lay $100 on the 4." The dealer then takes the chips and arranges them specifically located in the Lay field above the number  that was called out to bet. In this example, the 4.

$100 Lay bet behind the box number 4

Making a Lay requires the player to think of the the true odds backwards, because of the advantage of the seven over the box numbers. You bet more to win less.  As a result, you the player must know the True Odds for Lay bets and make your bets in the appropriate unit increments in order to be paid correctly. Take a moment now to review the True Odds for each box number and note the unit increment of each box number. True Odds

Let’s Make a Lay Bet

We are going to learn about Lay betting by laying the 6 and 8 for $30 each. Why $30? Look at the True Odds again. Laying the 6 or 8 pays $5 to every $6 bet. So, in order to comply with the correct pay off, we must make Lay bet on the 6 or 8 in multiples of six. Bet $30 to win $25 less the 5% vig of $1.

Lay bets may be made any time that the dice are in "the middle", out of play in front of the boxman, dice held by the stickman. This is the time for making bets. Usually, a Lay bet would be made before the Come Out roll.

Betting the correct increment and selecting the correct number of chips, is preferred, but if necessary, the dealer will make change for the bet. When it is your turn to bet with the dealer, call out Lay the 6 and 8 for $30 each as you place $60 in chips down on the layout in the Come field. The dealer will take it from there. The dealer picks up your chips and locates $30 dollars above the 6 and $30 above the 8 in the lay field. Now you wait for the next roll of the dice wanting a seven to show..

$30 Lay Bets on the 6 and 8

Ø      Your Lay bets win when the seven rolls and both Lay bets, 6 and 8 are paid $25 less the 5% vig, $1 each bet. A net win of $24 fro each Lay bet. The dealer pays the bet by placing the lay bet and  winnings in front of you. The game is over at this point unless the seven resulted as a Come Out roll.

Ø      Your Lay bet loses when the number 6 or 8 rolls, as in this example, or when an eleven results on the Come Out. The dealer removes the Lay bet as he says, "Down behind."

Ø      Your Lay bet is always working and can win or lose on any roll. The Lay bet stays up after winning on a Come Out seven, unless you instruct the dealer to remove the bet telling the dealer, “Take down my Lay 6 and 8, please.”

Ø      Any other numbers besides a 6, 8, or a 7 will have no consequence on your bets when rolled excepting the 11 on a Come Out.

Ø      A Lay bet is not a contract bet and it may be removed from action anytime before a roll of the dice.

More About Lay Bets

You are in control of all Lay bets at all times. This means you can make the bet, change the bet, call the bet off or on, and take the bet down. You need to understand however, A Lay bet is favored to win and once you are past the 11 on a Come Out, you have full true odds in favor to win.

The Rest of the Numbers to Lay Bet 

In the table of True Odds below, you can see for yourself how the True Odds pay for each box number and the unit you should Lay bet on that number.

Note: The more numbers you Lay bet, the greater is your exposure to a loss. Lay betting too many numbers is not recommended.  

TRUE ODDS FOR LAY BETS  <back>

Review Lay Betting 

When you lay bet, you are betting that the seven will roll before the chosen box number.

The Lay bet pays true odds, but comes with a "tax" called the vig or vigorish. The vig is 5%, figured on the amount of money you stand to win. The casino may collect the vig up front which is not the game you should play. Why? Well, you don't want to pay "tax" on money you have not received. Find a game that collects the vig after the bet wins, when it is paid. The vig is then either taken out of the winnings or the player may toss in the vig when being paid.

Example: $100 lay bet on the 4 or 10 wins $50. The vig paid is $2 (rounded down on $50, not $2.50) so either the player tosses in $2 or the dealer withholds $2 paying $48 and the bet stays up. This is the better game to play if you Lay bet, because if you lose, you only have the bet invested and not the vig.

In Lesson Eight, we will cover the rest of the bets found on a Craps Layout. In the mean time, lock in the knowledge that you have gained to this point. You now have the majority of information for playing Dice. If you are confused with any section or feel that you need more reinforcement of a lesson, now is the time to go back and review. When it comes to understanding a complicated concept, review, review and review.

Lesson 8

Return to How to Play Craps Table of Contents

Copyright © 2006-2010 Michael Vernon - Playing 4 Keeps™

The Do's and Don't of Dice