How much can I make with controlled shooting?

Dear Frank,

You wrote:

"Against random rollers the use of the 5-Count is to make you last longer so you can get on controlled shooters (those the Captain called 'rhythmic rollers') who can actually give you an edge over the house, save your money so it lasts longer, and continue to get your usual array of comps. On random rollers every bet comes with a house edge, whether that bet is a do or a don't."

Other times in your answers to other players asking about the 5-Count, you indicate it helps to make your playing time last longer.

I know you have indicated you and your follow Golden Touch Craps players have made money, which I believe you did. But the average player is going to lose in the short or long run unless he or she just enjoy having fun playing the casinos to get comp but still lose money as it is says, "No free lunch." I'm assuming (which I hate to use that phrase) that a high percentage of players using the strategy of the 5-Count never make any real money or any great amount.

What I like to know if it is answerable, and that is a friend of mine which I sent your articles to him. Since he retired in good health and he practiced 4-5 hours a day controlled shooting and we go partners on the money. Do you think a $150,000 a year can be a reasonable amount to make? The reason why I won't shoot the dice as I am confined to a wheelchair and it would be very difficult. Would we need to buy a craps table?

I know you always give a straight answer. No hurry for your comments.

John

Dear John:

One of our great Golden Touch instructors and columnists Skinny did a wonderful article about the use of the 5-Count to actually get a small edge over the house. Go here to read it:

http://www.goldentouchcraps.com/skinny0001.shtml

Now since most players are not going to bet the lowest house edge bets I have to agree with you that most of them, in fact the overwhelming majority of them, who use the 5-Count are going to reduce their overall losses and get more from comps — maybe more comps than they deserve — but they are not going to beat the game.

Now as to making money with a controlled shot, and also using the 5-Count, which is recommended on all random rollers, then yes money can certainly be made at this game. If your friend's practicing of four to five hours a day — an excessive amount in my opinion — has really given him a controlled throw that overcomes the house edge, then making money sounds feasible. How much you make will depend on how much you bet and how large your edge is. You have to keep your bets extremely low on the random rollers if you have to play at the tables with them.

Do you need to buy a craps table? It helps but you can also buy a throwing and receiving station which would cost much less than a full table.

Go here to take a look at some practice stations you can buy: http://www.goldentouchcraps.com/rigs.shtml

Thanks for you letter.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete