Lay Bet Tips — Sizing the ATS Hedge for Small, Tall, and the All

The lay bet used as an ATS hedge is a sizing decision as much as a strategic one. The right amount to lay depends on which ATS bonus you are protecting and what your specific casino pays.

Know Your Casino's ATS Payouts Before the Roll

ATS payouts vary significantly by casino. Common structures: Small or Tall at 34:1, All at 175:1. On a $5 ATS bet that is $170 for Small/Tall and $875 for the All. Know these numbers before the session — they determine how aggressively you should size the lay hedge when the ATS gets close.

Sizing for Small or Tall: $50 Lay

One off the Small or Tall with one box number remaining. $50 lay is a reasonable hedge at this stage. If the 7 comes: collect $23-$39 on the lay (depending on which number), offset against the lost $170 ATS opportunity. If the number hits: ATS collected ($170 minus $50 lay loss = $120 net). Neither outcome is catastrophic. The $50 lay reduces the sting of the 7 without being so large that losing it when the ATS completes hurts.

Sizing for the All: Lay More

One side (Small or Tall) has already been won. Now chasing the All. The remaining payout is $875 or more on a $5 bet. A $50 lay protecting an $875 opportunity is too small — the offset is trivial relative to what the 7 costs. Consider $100-$150 or more depending on your session bankroll. The All does not come up often. When it does and you are one number away, that moment deserves proportional protection. Bluffin With Aces discusses this sizing decision live on YouTube and shows what the numbers look like when the All is genuinely in reach.