How do you keep focused while shooting at craps?

Hi Frank,

I just became a member of your private board at Golden Touch Craps and here is why I did that.

I just went to the casino and lost $600 in a matter of six hours, so basically $100 per hour I lost. Well, I only make $42 an hour at my real job . . . so I lost a car payment and a cable bill payment!

But here is my story. I am a woman, 50 years old and I LOVE to PLAY craps. I love that you actually have to think about what you are doing. I am an OK shooter, or so I thought.

I shot a 17 once in Vegas and won $400. I shoot with the hardway (5:5 on top) and I do not keep the dice together but I do shoot for a certain spot on the craps board and that works some of the time. My big problem is distraction.

How do you keep focused? The dealers distract me with little side female comments and of course I have to be nice, which works . . . and I need to learn to shoot better . . . because at times it does get random.

Also thoughts on a fire call bet?

Sorry one last question - do you ever come to Connecticut or Massachusetts? I would love to take one of your classes but I am not traveling to Vegas anytime soon.

Thanks for any advice,
Mary

Dear Mary:

First off, you are betting way too much money. Start saving in a 401G account (the "G" stands for gambling) and don't go to the casino until you have at least $2,000 in that account. Make it a money-market account where you get some interest on your principal. Take a couple of bucks from your hourly wage and start saving. It will add up fast.

The fact that you thought of a car payment and a cable bill payment means you are using money to gamble with that you should be using for real life.

Practice your throw at home. I would recommend you take our Golden Touch Dice Control course as well. I have a list of our classes for 2010 at the conclusion of this response. I realize that the classes are expensive but you will have the finest dice controllers in the world teaching you.

OK, with your 401G account all set, then go to the casino and bet a pass line bet of $5 (or $10 if that is the minimum) and back it with $10 in odds. Then place a come bet of $5 and back that with $10 in odds. Make those two bets your only bets. You are only betting this on yourself when you shoot.

Use the 5-Count on all the other players and only bet a single $5 pass or come bet on them when they get through the 5-Count. Don't bother with odds.

Now when you are shooting, this amount of money at risk shouldn't bring up thoughts of car payments, cable payments or any other payments since you do have at least $2,000 backing your play. All wins go back into that 401G account and you also continue to put money in from your salary. And even if you have been an "action junkie" in the past you have to get rid of that inner gambler and play as an advantage player. We want the casino's money, not some internal thrill. Let the thrill come when you go to the bank to deposit your wins.

Only take the dice three or four times per session and then call it quits for that session. Do something else for a while. However, if you are hot then keep adding a turn with the dice until you have a turn where you fizzle out. Then take your break. Fatigue is our enemy.

Now, about distractions. I meditate when I shoot the dice. I know that Dominator also has a form of meditation that he uses. You might just want to count 1, 2 in your head over and over. Or focus on your breathing. If you are still distracted, then call off your odds and pray for the best on the pass and come wagers. You can practice getting into the "rolling zone" as some players call it when you practice at home. But I must say that at times even the best dice controllers get distracted.

That fire bet? It has between a 20% and 25% house edge. It is worse than the worst slot machine! You are throwing your money away on that bet. Since you are on our members-only pages at www.Goldentouchcraps.com we have several great articles about that awful bet. Read them and then put the fire bet out of your mind. It will burn up your bankroll.

Here's the schedule of the remaining classes for 2010:

Las Vegas: Friday, June 25: Dice Control Tune-ups
Friday, June 25, Meet and Greet (5:30PM to 8PM)
Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27: Dice Control Classes: Primer and Refresher
Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27: Dice Control Advanced Class

Chicago: Friday, September 24: Dice Control Tune-ups
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26: Dice Control Primer and Refresher Classes

Las Vegas: Friday, October 22: Dice Control Tune-ups
Friday, October 22, Meet and Greet (5:30PM to 8PM)
Saturday & Sunday, October 23 & 24: Dice Control Classes: Primer and Refresher
Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24: Dice Control Advanced Class

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete