More or less?

What is the difference between Player #1 who places the 6 and 8 for $30 each and Player #2 who just places the 6 for $30? Most players would say that Player #1 will lose twice the amount of money in the long run and they would be absolutely right.

However there is another way to look at it. Player #1 is actually playing two games against the casino, while Player #2 is playing one game. Game here is defined by the number of decisions. With the 6 and 8 in play, Player #1 has two possible decisions: He wins or loses on the 6; he wins or loses on the 8. Player #2 has only one decision: He wins or loses on the 6.

Each bet that a player makes is the equivalent of a separate game.

OK, why am I making a big deal out of this obvious point? Here's why: Too many craps players think they have to bet on several numbers for the game to be serious or, more important, players with small bankrolls will over bet those bankrolls to be on more numbers thinking it gives them a better shot at winning.

It doesn't.

By playing only one number, the player gets to stretch that bankroll out far further into the future than had he played it on several numbers every given session. Such stretching allows the player to continue to contribute money to his 401G account.

Now, what is a 401G account? It is the gambling equivalent of a 401K retirement account. Too many players get their playing money from their regular bank accounts and this makes them overly concerned with what is happening at the table during any given moment.

Real money, taken from a real bank account, real money that you might use or need for something far more important than playing craps, makes the game far less fun when you play. By creating a separate bank account that is for gambling purposes only, and by systematically putting small amounts in consistently, a player can play and not worry about the money. Worrying about the money is a craps killer.

With that said, even with your 401G (yes, "G" stands for gambling), a craps player must make the best bets on the table. To do otherwise is tantamount to giving away his money.

With a small 401G, only play one number, preferably a pass line with odds or a come bet with odds. Or go the darkside way and do a single don't pass with odds, or a single don't come with odds. A word of caution to darkside players, only allow the same shooter to beat you once during his roll. If he hits your number and you lose, wait for the next shooter. Don't go back up on this shooter. He beat you and that's that. This method of play will also stretch out your playing time and lose you less money.

When you double your 401G through your deposits you can go to two numbers; when you triple it, you can go to three numbers. Stick at three numbers unless a shooter is on a torrid roll — in a random game, unfortunately, each additional number actually costs you more money. That is a sad fact. But craps players know that ultimately their money will be lost — they just have to decide whether to lose it slowly (and perhaps "lessly") or fast. The more you bet, and the more numbers you cover, the better the chance that your 401G might start diminishing even with regular deposits.

So what is a good bet size to 401G ratio? Should it be for every dollar you bet, have $100 in your 401G account? This bet to bankroll ratio is hard to establish. For me, being a chicken-type player, I need a very large 401G for a rather small bet. Right now it is $1,000 in the 401G to every one dollar I wager. Okay, the rational for me is that over 20 years ago, when I first started playing blackjack and craps, I lost my whole bankroll. It was only $5,000 but to me in those days $5,000 was one heck of a lot of money. That burned me severely and I swore it would never happen again.

So I went kind of nuts with this bankroll and betting ratio.

I think $200 for every dollar you bet is a reasonable amount — somewhat dangerous but reasonable. And count the odds in as well - despite the fact that odds is a break even bet. So if you are betting $10 on the line with $50 in odds, then you should have $12,000 backing you.

Playing with non-scared 401G money is great; but play that money in a scared way. That makes sense to me — I hope it also does to you.