CasinoCityTimes.com

Home
Gaming Strategy
Featured Stories
News
Newsletter
Legal News Financial News Casino Opening and Remodeling News Gaming Industry Executives Author Home Author Archives Author Books Search Articles Subscribe
Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter!
Recent Articles
Best of Frank Scoblete
author's picture
 

Buying the 4 and 10

29 October 2006

Dear Frank,

I am craps player. I fell in love with the game several years ago after reading your book about the Captain's success and your enthusiasm for it. Thank you.

I do have a craps-related disorder in that I LOVE to buy BOTH the 4 and the 10. I live for the outside!

I like to sit back quietly and wait for these numbers with the vig in my palm ready to drop on the table. I don't make any noise, unlike my table mates who win regularly on their 44 inside (and of course the field, hardways, etc.). I believe in tipping the crew as well - usually with a white chip on the hardways (4 and 10 only). That way if the crew wins, I win. I know the tipping is a crazy crapper bet but - if I'm gonna tip - it's a fun way to do it. I don't bet hard ways or any of the middle for me. I cannot afford the tax!

How bad of a bet is the buy on the 4 and the 10? At the Mirage there is no up front vig, so at least I pay the tax only if I win. They don't offer this at Casino Royale, but I like 20-50x odds on my tiny line bet (they offer 100x there!).

Also I am wondering about Player's Club cards. I get 1/2 price rooms generally when I stay at Mirage or TI. Does Uncle Sam have access to these records? Can he look? I neither declare winnings nor deduct losses but it seems room discounts might be construed as a gain in income. I would like to know if there is a potential dark side to using a card.

I do watch for rhythm rollers. I practice my rolling too. So far, I seem to have no consistent rolling pattern. But, I still love the game.

I know you are a busy man - logging all those tough hours at the tables - but I would appreciate any answers you may have time to send.

Cancun Skip

Hi Cancun Skip:

Buying the 4 and 10 at the Mirage or at any casino that allows you to pay the vig only on a winning bet is a very good bet. A $25 or $50 buy on these numbers has a 1.3 percent house edge. When you jump to $75 and must pay $4 (at $100, the vig is $5) the vig jumps up a little more. However, these are definitely reasonable bets. When you have to pay the vig upfront on both winning and losing bets, then the vig gets a little steep.

The best tips for the dealers are right next to your pass line bet as the dealers have a much better chance of winning those bets. I recommend that you place your tip on top of your pass line bet so that a winning wager does not necessitate the house taking the win and the tip down. Or you can put the tip next to the bet and say, "I control the dealer bet." From talking to dealers in private they almost universally agree they prefer the pass line tip over all others.

I don't think you have to worry about Uncle Sam expecting tax returns on free rooms for the simple reason that the room isn't actually free - you are paying for it with your losses at the table. Also the hotel has the right to charge you what it wants for the room. It isn't income for you. That's just my opinion as I am not a tax accountant. But I know of no players who declare their free or discounted rooms as income. Would you have to declare a discounted meal in a regular restaurant as income? What if the bartender gave you a free drink? I think the IRS is not crazy that way.

This was a great letter and I am giving you a free month on our private web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete


Do you have a question for Frank? Send it to slotexpert@comcast.net.

Frank Scoblete

Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

Frank Scoblete Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com

Books by Frank Scoblete:

> More Books By Frank Scoblete

Frank Scoblete
Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

Frank Scoblete Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com

Books by Frank Scoblete:

> More Books By Frank Scoblete