Gaming Guru

Craps: Paying the Vig on the 4 and 10

Dear Frank:

Can you please tell me what the difference is between a casino that does not charge a vig on the 4 and 10 at a $10 rate, and a casino that charges a vig at a $20 rate?

Can you please demonstrate the percentages between the two examples?

Thank you so much!

Chris

Dear Chris:

If there is no vig, meaning no house edge at a $10 bet on the 4 or 10, you get paid $20 for a $10 bet. The casino does not take any money from you. The game is breakeven.

The payoff for a normal $10 Place bet on the 4 or 10 is $18-to-$10. Thus, the house edge is 6.67 percent or a loss of 67 cents per $10 wagered.

If a casino allows you to buy the 4 or 10 for $20 where you pay the $1 vig on both wins and losses, the house edge is 4.76 percent. You will lose 94 cents on your bet.

If the $1 vig is only taken out of winning buys bets, then buying the $20 comes in with a house edge of 1.67 percent or a loss of 66 cents.

For your letter, I am giving you a free 30-day subscription to my private member's only web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members on this site and I think you will enjoy it.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete