Advice for a new craps player

Dear Frank,

I am a senior in college at Bradley University. I have always had a fascination with the casino. Just recently I have become obsessed with craps.

I was always afraid of the craps table because of the confusing layout and not wanting to look dumb asking questions to the more experienced players. One day I jumped in with 20 dollars. A nice employee who was running the table gave me tips telling me best odds were to play pass line and take max odds.

Following his advice I turned 20 bucks into $240. I then started to get a little crazy and bet the 6 and 8 which put me up fast and took me down even faster. Ever since this day I have been obsessed. I went and took my winnings in the next few days and played again. Unfortunately, I lost everything.

Then at the bookstore I happen to come across your book while my girlfriend was looking for some books. So I bought your book. I read your book in a matter of days, reading, highlighting and re-reading. I took your advice to the casino and played with 40 bucks. I employed the 5-Count the first time and won.

Right after the win the shooter sevened out and I lost a few bucks. I used the 5-Count on the next guy sevened out right after the 5-Count. The shooters were all setting the dice in a specific way each time and would hit their point, then seven out. So people were making money on the odds and six and eight bets, but I was losing.

Am I using the strategy right or did I not have enough funds to let the strategy work? Also, could the fact that I am not in a big-time casino be a factor?

My next topic is dice control, I firmly believe that this is a possibility. I bought a practice rig on eBay (sorry the ones on the www.goldentouchcraps.com site are too expensive for me) and I was wondering if you knew how to calculate the statistics to see if it your throws are significantly affecting the outcome of the dice?

What set would you suggest for a beginner? My last question would be OK if you couldn't answer but I figure you are very wise about the casino scene. I am currently studying psychology and had hopes of becoming a school psychologist, but I would like to know if I could use my degree to get a job in the gambling world, working for a casino or something like that.

Thanks so much,
D. W.

Dear D.W.:

Wait 5 years before you play again. Using the word "obsessed" bothered me. I play between 80 and 100 times a year and I am not obsessed. So you better tread lightly with this gambling stuff or you could sink like the Titanic.

Now to your questions:

The dealer was correct. The pass line with maximum odds (or whatever the odds you can afford) is the best bet. Also the come bet with maximum odds. Throw in the don't pass and don't come with odds and those are the four best bets in craps.

The 6 and 8 are also good bets. Now, the fact that the game turned against you is merely typical at craps and any other game. There are small, medium and large swings in these games and you just experienced one of those.

The 5-Count merely reduces the number of random rolls you will face. It is no guarantee that you will win. Check this article out to give you a good view of what the 5-Count can and can't do for you: http://www.goldentouchcraps.com/proof.shtml

The first dice control statistic you should focus on, a statistic that will tell you hat you are changing the probabilities, is called the SRR; the seven to rolls ratio. A normal random game will have a 1:6 SRR. After about 5,000 rolls your SRR is much better than that, say 1:6.3 or 1:6.4, it is likely that you have some influence. The best set is the hardway set – hardways on all face with the 6-spot and the 1-spot on the sides of each.

If you are becoming a psychologist, it is possible that some casino company might be interested in hiring you. But a word of caution here: working in a casino is not a glamorous job. It is just a job. Players are gambling and (maybe) having fun but the casino employees are merely working.

For you letter I am giving you a free 10-day subscription to my private, members-only website at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members. You might want to ask them if they think you should become "obsessed" with the casinos.

All the best in and out of the casinos.

Frank Scoblete