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Fighting Craps

27 September 2022

Craps used to be the favorite casino table game until it was surpassed by blackjack in the mid-1960s. When it was the favorite game, it was dominated by men. World War II taught soldiers, sailors and marines how to play the game and they loved it.

Craps was considered a “city game” when in fact it originated along the Mississippi River in the South. It had been called “crabs” but the Southern accent was translated as “craps” when it finally made its debut in the big towns and cities up North. It was always dominated by men, Southern men, Northern men, men from the West and men from the East.

It was a man’s game.

Today, when it comes in tied for second with roulette, it is – yes! It is still dominated by men, overwhelmingly dominated.

Although some more women play the game than they did in the past, their increased numbers are small indeed. For some reason the game has not caught on with the ladies. I don’t know why exactly, because to me it is the most exciting game the casinos offer.

As with all casino games, craps is random. You have two six-sided dice, numbered one through six, that are thrown to the opposite end of the table where they bounce off a pyramid-studded wall. The throw, the wall, the bouncing on the table is usually enough to randomize the results so players can’t guess what numbers are about to be thrown.

[Please note: Players are given the dice, the select two, and they shoot them and hope for the best. It is one of the only games where the casino gives you the opportunity to beat them. Still, the game is random and the shooters will ultimately fall to the house edge.]

The numbers on the dice are made with “pips.” One pip through six pips. The combination of the pips makes the number being thrown. Therefore a six-pips and a two-pips makes the number an eight.

There are 11 numbers that can be thrown with two six-sided dice: 2 through 12.

Some numbers hit more than once; for example, the 7 can hit six times and it is the number that hits the most at the game. Some numbers can only be made with one combination, the 2 can be made with 1 pip+1 pip or the 12 with 6 pips+6 pips.

Is there a way to reduce the impact of the randomness of craps? Absolutely. “Reduce” is the key word here. The game can be one of the very best in the casino or one of the very worst. Sadly, so many players make it the worst!

There are many bets at craps, most of them just awful. There are many bets where the house edge can slide into the double digits. Some of these bets are worse than the returns given by slot machines.

Yet there are a few decent and several excellent wagers that players can make. If the players make those, the game is a close contest between player and casino.

THE BEST BETS

Pass Line (once point is made take the odds)
Come Bet (once a number is made, take the odds)
Don’t Pass (once point is made make the odds bet)
Don’t Come Bet (once number is established make the odds bet)
Place Bet the 6
Place Bet the 8

THE BETS NEVER TO MAKE

Okay, take a deep breath and…Do not make any of the other bets! By making the above bets you will keep the house edge under 1.52 percent. That’s quite good. You always want to be on the “good side” of betting. So ignore all other bets at the game.

One last thing; do not make multiple bets. Don’t be on more than a maximum of three numbers, which means three total bets.

By making good bets and keeping the number of bets low, you have a decent shot at winning in this game.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s web site is www.frankscoblete.com. His books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries and bookstores.
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:

Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines!

> More Books By Frank Scoblete