Oddsman Betting and Craps Scorecards

Hey, Frank,

I've been reading your articles on Casino City and I've really enjoyed the good tips on improving my craps game. I have a few questions that I can't seem to find answers for on the 'Net.

First, what is "oddsman betting", how do I make this bet and is it any good?

Also, I saw in R.D. Ellison's book Gamble to Win: Craps that he urges the use of various craps scorecards but his explanation was not very clear. Do you know where I could get more information on the use and benefits of scorecards? Do you recommend them, use them yourself?

Last, I have seen various articles that mention the importance of "charting tables"? Could you explain what this process is and if it has to do with identifying Golden Shooters?

I'd really appreciate your help in clearing up this confusion for me.

Thank you,
EAC

Dear EAC:

The Oddsman's bet is written about in my book The Captain's Craps Revolution. If someone is not taking odds on his Pass or Come bets, you ask if you can put the odds or some of the odds on his bet. The house has no edge on this bet. It's not a bet you can get away with on some people as they won't quite understand what you're saying. However, at times, you can utilize it.

I have not read Ellison's book but there are no such things as trends that are predictable at craps - otherwise all the trend players would be beating the game and it would be pulled from the casino. Except for controlled shooters, and they are rare, keeping a scorecard gives you the illusion that you are figuring something out. You are, actually, figuring nothing out about the future - only about what happened in the past. In short, it's a waste of time.

Golden Shooters are a whole different ballgame from charting tables. Read the article "5-Count Proof" on www.goldentouchcraps.com. Charting tables is another mistaken idea of craps players - since the game is random (except for controlled shooters), what happened in the past can't be predictive of the future. Charting tables is the search for fool's gold. If you want to beat craps you have to learn how to control the dice and how to reduce the negative impact of all the random shooters on your bankroll.

Frank Scoblete

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