It wasn't vintage hurling from Dublin at Parnell Park but when it comes to the opening round of the Leinster SHC, winning is all that counts and Mattie Kenny's men did just about enough.
Alex Considine's 62nd minute goal, scored just moments after his introduction, ultimately had a big bearing on a tight encounter that went right to the wire.
That strike put Dublin five points ahead and they would open up a seven-point gap with 70 minutes on the clock when another substitute, Paul Crummey, opened his account.
Remarkably, Laois would whittle that lead down to just two by full-time with goalkeeper Enda Rowland's 72nd minute goal giving Cheddar Plunkett's side hope of a memorable win on the road.
They couldn't pull it off though and Dublin will reflect on a game that they just about deserved to win but also could easily have thrown away with 18 wides on the evening.
Donal Burke was their outstanding performer again, contributing 0-13 though Kenny will demand an improvement generally ahead of next weekend's trip to Wexford.
As for Laois, they will take on Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.
This was a game the men from the capital were tipped to win with plenty to spare but, just like their 2019 championship encounter, it was anything but plain sailing.
Dublin ultimately lost that All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final tie three years ago and, at half-time at Parnell Park, history was on course for repeating itself.
The visitors led by 1-07 to 0-09 at that stage though it flattered them as Dublin had enough possession to be five or six points to the good.
The hosts struck 11 first-half wides in total with Chris Crummey, Davy Keogh and free-taker Burke all guilty of shooting multiple wayward efforts.
The misses badly undermined Dublin's bid to put clear daylight between the teams and Laois took full advantage, netting in the 10th minute to move 1-03 to 0-03 clear themselves.
It was a fortuitous goal as Mark Dowling pounced after a long Ciaran McEvoy delivery into the danger area was only parried into the air by Dublin goalkeeper Sean Brennan.
Dublin responded with points from Burke - three converted frees - and Fergal Whitely but almost as soon as they regained the lead they lost it again as PJ Scully twice pointed for Laois, followed by a long range effort from goalkeeper Rowland.
Scully rounded out the first-half scoring with a point deep into stoppage time to leave his team narrowly ahead at the interval.
Referee Liam Gordon didn't endear himself to the travelling Laois support with a 14-7 free count in the first-half in Dublin's favour, allowing Burke to finish the opening period with six points from placed balls.
The frees kept coming in the second-half, and the wides, though Kenny's men did just enough to wrestle back the lead during the third quarter.
Burke, who'd yet to score from play, drilled two more wides from frees early in the second-half but then sniped three terrific points from play to more than make up.
He punched the air in delight in the 46th minute after a fine long range point which was set up by goalkeeper Sean Brennan who'd arrowed a pin-point pass to him after catching a point attempt from Laois.
It put Dublin two points clear for the first time and while it wasn't a big lead, it was significant in a tense, low scoring encounter.
Sub Considine netted during his first involvement and with Dublin stretching their lead out to seven points, it looked done and dusted.
Laois had one final kick though and they made it damn interesting in stoppage time with Rowland's goal from a free and points from James Keyes and Scully pushing the Dubs all the way.
Dublin: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Eoghan O'Donnell, Cian O'Callaghan; James Maden (0-01), Paddy Smyth, Donnacha Ryan; Conor Burke, Chris Crummey (0-01); Danny Sutcliffe, Davy Keogh, Donal Burke (0-13, 0-07f); Ronan Hayes (0-01), Fergal Whitely (0-03), Eamonn Dillon.
Subs: Aidan Mellett for Keogh 35-71, blood, Alex Considine (1-00) for Dillon 61, Paul Crummey (0-01) for Sutcliffe 68, Shane Barrett for Smyth (69), Mellett for D Burke 71.
Laois: Enda Rowland (1-02, 1-00f, 0-02f); Donnchadh Hartnett, Sean Downey, Podge Delaney; Ryan Mullaney, Liam O'Connell, Ciaran McEvoy; Fiachra C Fennell, Jack Kelly; Cha Dwyer (0-01), Paddy Purcell, James Keyes (0-02); Ross King (0-01), PJ Scully (0-08, 0-05f, 0-01 s/l), Mark Dowling (1-00).
Subs: Aidan Corby (0-01) for King 49, Padraic Dunne for Delaney 56, Brandon McGinley for Dowling 63, Ciaran Byrne for Dwyer 70.
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway).
