Molly throws the bones

27 August 2013

By Frank Scoblete

FROM MOLLY (First Letter): My husband had been reading your books and had created a practice table. I poo poo'ed this, as so many do. Then we went to Vegas for my 40th birthday, as I'd never been.

I kept pushing him to play, and so I bellied up to the table and decided to play with him, even though I hadn't a clue what was going on. I watched him set the dice, and when my turn came around, I set them the same way. Amazingly enough, I made a lot of folks a LOT of money that day! Okay, yes, I know, that was luck, maybe the superstition about a woman playing for the first time?

So now I'm addicted (not in a GA way) and I'm practicing on the table I made fun of. My husband loves this, and even though I'm still a MAJOR novice, he and I seem to make a pretty good team. I'm also working on learning your 5-Count system. I, of course, have the same complaint everyone has, that I miss out on the pass line bet come out wins, but the system is the system and I will learn to play it properly. I do think it is a good system, if not a thrilling one. But the thrill can cost you!

In most of your books, Vegas, Tunica and Atlantic City are mentioned, but I never hear about Connecticut. Living in Massachusetts, that's where we go to play, so I was wondering if you were ever there. What are your thoughts on Mohegan Sun, MGM and Foxwoods.

Thanks, and I love your work!


FROM MOLLY (Second letter): New fan, husband got me hooked on craps in Vegas. He has many of your books, and I've been devouring them as well. I'm working on my throw and I've been really lucky so far. I'm too green to call it anything else. I will also say, though, that my husband and I make a great team at the table.

I have a few 5-Count questions.

The 5-Count says to use Come bets, so with the 5-Count you wouldn't have a Pass Line bet? Or do you suggest the minimum Pass line, then up on odds, and start Come bets after the shooter passes the 5-Count?

Should I go pass line, then odds and place 6 & 8 instead of Come?

What happens when you reach the end of the 5-Count and the shooter is still going, I mean, what do you do if the shooter has let's say, 15 rolls and maybe hit 5 box numbers before they seven out? Or no box numbers, just anything but the 7?

I was told craps was "easy.” Between trying to get the comps, 5-Count, dealer tips and controlled shooting, this is rather intricate. I also have to say, that I find playing this way much more gratifying than the same old drunk random roller. It puts a real challenge in it for me, not just the chance of the game itself.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I'm reading your books over so many times, I think I need to order a new set of them. I keep looking for the one I want to go over again, just to find out that my husband has it with him at work. We need His and Hers Scoblete books. Wish I'd known that when I registered for wedding gifts.

Thank you again!

FRANK’S RESPONSE: First things first. All husbands and wives should have many copies of all of my books. That is a law I am trying to pass in Congress.

Now to the particulars: You can have a Pass Line bet up but not when the shooter first gets the dice. If the 5-Count ends when a Pass Line bet has hit, then certainly make a Pass Line bet. Once the new point is established then you would start Come betting. That would give you a Pass Line bet and a Come bet or two. (I am now of the opinion that you should only have one bet on random rollers and save your money for your won rolls.)

I think Come betting is the best way to handle random rollers. On yourself, placing the six and/or eight seems fine. You then only have to concentrate on your roll as you won’t have to worry about the Come bet’s odds or the “off and on” should you hit your numbers. If a random shooter is hitting a lot of numbers and you have made some money then maybe spread out to two numbers. Never bet on a random shooter before the 5-Count is completed. Save your money to bet on yourself.

You are certainly right; craps is a challenge if you try to play it to win money as opposed to just drinking, yelling, screaming and eventually going back to your room dazed with your inevitable losses.

I have been to Foxwoods when I did a television show for CNN. I’ve never been to Mohegan Sun. I prefer Atlantic City because I had more of a selection of casinos. I like to move around. I have a book coming out in 2014 that will blow the lid off my experiences in the casinos, including Foxwoods and Tunica.

I am sending you my new book “The Virgin Kiss” for your letter.

Join me on my website at www.frankscoblete.com. If I publish your letter I will send you a free copy of my book "The Virgin Kiss."