Craps Craziness

25 February 2025

By Frank Scoblete

The shouts and applause can be heard all over the casino when things are going right at the craps table. It’s hard not to get involved when a shooter is hitter than hot.

The enjoyment is tangible.

Of course, darksiders never get to experience the true highs of the game because when they win, just about everyone else at the table takes a loss.

Most darksiders are loners. Most rightside players, those players looking for the shooter to make points and numbers, can’t really stand the darksiders. Just ask them. Better still, just be playing craps when a darksider enters the game. You will see looks that could kill.

When darksiders lose many players smirk and show their disdain. If you could be punished for bad thoughts many craps players would have to stand on line for their punishment.

Craps is a game where the majority of players, the overwhelming majority, are rightside players and proud of it.

When a table’s shooter is making points and hitting loads of numbers, it is very hard not to get caught up in the zaniness. Those moments are crazy, literally crazy.

Being able to shoot the dice is one of the great aspects of the game – for rightsiders. If they have a good or great roll, they will be lauded by their fellow players.

If the good roll was by you, then you will find that even away from the craps table other players will come over to you at dinner or lunch to applaud you some more for your good roll. It’s an added benefit to the game.

Now, here is a weird thing about craps. Most craps players are short term losers. Long term, all of them are. That’s true. But why is it true?

Because they make many multiple bets, most of which have hideously high house edges. Their betting choices make it almost impossible for them to be ahead at any given time in their playing careers. Such a fact probably stimulates them even more to go somewhat crazy when a good shooter puts on a show.

My brand of play is totally different.

I am not looking for the epic roll – although, like everyone, I do enjoy them immensely.

I am looking to grind out small wins betting only one (or maximum) two numbers. A hit or two and I am ahead. My losses are always small and containable.

Almost all shooters are random rollers. That means no one has an edge when these players shoot the dice. So, I feel it is important to be contained and limit my losses.

I’ll play the Captain’s 5-Count on everyone at the table and that just by itself limits about half the shooters. Make only one or two bets after that, meaning only the bets with a small house edge, and I am good to go. Yes, my juices flow just as other craps players’ juices flow but my potential losses are pretty darn small.

Craps is a game that can bring out the crazy in players. And that is (in general) a good thing but to be a winner at the game is just not an easy feat.

It’s very hard to be ahead even with a player making the lowest house-edge bets and those other players (the Captain referred to many of those players as Crazy Crappers) are targets for extended losses.

Still, it is the most exciting game in the casino and craps players by and large love it.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries, and bookstores.