To Buy or Not to Buy - Playing the Five and Nine

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To Buy or Not to Buy – Playing the Five and Nine
by Steve “Heavy” Haltom

Most craps players wisely "buy" four and ten rather than placing it. If not, the dealers usually suggest it. For good reasons. It lowers the house edge substantially. But few players use this option with the five and nine, and fewer dealers recommend it. Should you buy the five and nine? The answer is a definite “maybe.” It’s all relative to the size of your bet and a little thing called the "breakage" at the table.

You can place the four or ten in multiples of $5. If the number rolls, you’re paid 9-to-5 on your wager. For example, $9 on $5, $18 on $10, $27 on $15. Since it’s a place bet, the original wager stays up unless you take it down. If the seven appears, you lose whatever you bet.

You can buy the four or ten for any amount, usually starting at $20. Steps of $5 are typical, but not mandatory. You pay an up-front commission or "vigorish" in addition to your bet. The fee is 5 percent, rounded down to the nearest whole dollar. The “breakage” varies from house to house, but frequently you can push for a better buy at the following rates. You might run across something like this:

$1 commission for Buy bets up to $35

If your number rolls you win 2-to-1 and keep the original wager, but the house retains the commission. A seven costs you both your bet and the vigorish.
Buying the five and nine is handled pretty much the same way, except that the bet must be an even amount and the payoff is 3-to-2. That “even money” thing is where it gets tricky sometimes.

Imagine you are going to bet $25 on the five. If you win, you're paid $35. Now, buy the five for $24 and give the dealer $1 commission. Win and get $36 minus the $1 commission for a net $35 win. Sounds like there’s essentially no difference. But look what happens when your wager increases to $35. A place bet on the five wins $49, but the Buy the five for $34 plus the $1 commission and things suddenly improves the payoff. Win and pick up $51 minus the $1 vig, for a net $50. The Buy bet earned you more profit for the same $35 risk.

Mississippi players have it made when it comes to the five and nine because most casinos there automatically “buy” the four, five, nine, and ten at certain bet levels. This is unusual, since it’s to the player’s advantage. Players in other jurisdictions don’t have it so easy. Just remember that Buy bets will outperform Place bets on the five and nine any time you’re wagering more than $26 (plus $1 commission) on the number. The down side? Many dealers will roll their eyes, grimace, or even openly complain when you make a play outside the “norm.” Some will think you simply don’t understand the game. Others will know you’re using the math of the game against the house to get a better gamble. Newer dealers my be completely baffled and have to ask the box for assistance. And just about all of them will resent having to calculate the payoff on something like a $58 Buy Bet on the five or nine. Is it worth the hassle? Hey. That’s MY dollar out there. I WANT it!

[acpa]

Four years ago instead of placing 5/9 for $15, some Tunica casinos allowed me to but them for $16 with th vig paid only on a win.

Noah

[Michael]

You can buy the 5/9 for $20 in Tunica.Pay vig only if you win.

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I think in most Mississippi casinos a $20 Buy on the five and nine is "automatic" unless you tell the dealer to place it.

[Michael]

You are correct sir.

[TwinStix]

I think in most Mississippi casinos a $20 Buy on the five and nine is "automatic" unless you tell the dealer to place it.

As per my last play, this is true, with no upfront vig....

[luxlogs]

No Buying the 5 n 9 in Il Ind or MI, they looked at me like I was crazy. Said it made no difference, I said "it does when it's over 30". Get paid $44 rather than $42

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Yep. You will run into that.

[dhigital]

Sometimes I see more repeaters (and i'm talking about streaks) of 5's and 9's than 4 and 10's. I consider it a better bet sometimes. Now with buying with vig paid on win. I wish we had that around here in Maryland.

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I suspect I have lost a LOT more money LAYING the five and nine than I ever have laying the four and ten. I always lay odds on the five and nine, and it seems like I always lose at least once per hand on it.