Ask Frank: Craps Bets and RFB

Dear Frank,

First, I want to say that I am a huge fan, and I have two questions regarding craps play. First, what should a player bet when it is his or her turn to throw the dice (come out roll) when playing the High-Roller (or low roller) system outlined in your books? Should the player just put the minimum on the pass line until the 5-count, then put up the Place and, in the case of the High Roller system, Buy bets? Will this hurt the player's rating?

Second, you outline in the High Roller system placing the 6 and 8 for $60 and buying either the 4 or 10 for $40. Due to the passage of time since the publication of Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos, will that level of betting as you describe it in the book still warrant RFB (or, will the $2000 bank roll the Captain says is required be enough to get RFB)? Would you mind giving ballpark of RFB levels at various casinos in Vegas, like Venetian, Plaza, MGM, Binions, Main Street Station and other Station casinos?

Thank you for your time, your knowledge, and everything you do for the "little guy" players (like me). I wish you the best of luck!

Eliot

If you are simply a random roller, then just put up a Pass Line bet and back it immediately with odds when you roll. Then after the 3-count, go with a come bet and again after the 4-Count. When the 5-Count is finished, put the odds on. Alternatively, you can wait for the completion of the 5-Count to put a 6 and 8 place bet up. If you take care with your roll and are a rhythmic roller or controlled shooter, then you can go right up on yourself when you roll. The only time you would be more careful is if you haven't been shooting well. Then caution is king and you would be well served to do the 5-Count on yourself.

A $60 on the 6 and 8 and a $39 buy bet -- or a $50 buy of the 4 or 10 in Vegas and other venues where the vig is paid only on winning bets -- will still get you RFB in most places, since your total action is $159 to $170. It would not get you RFB at Venetian or Bellagio or a few other really high-end properties that require $200 or more as an average bet. The downtown casinos would be more than happy to give you RFB with a $159-$170 average bet I would think, as would the Station Casinos. But here's something you can do before you play at a place -- ask them what it takes to get the comps you are interested in. If it fits within your betting style, play there; if not, go elsewhere.

I am giving you a free 6-month subscription to the members only pages of Golden Touch Craps -- The Craps Club (www.thecrapsclub.com). I think you'll find the craps information on this private board to be outstanding. I will give you a user name and a password in a separate email.

All the best in and out of the casinos!
Frank Scoblete