Playing the Field - The Field Bet, That Is

Dear Frank:

I play craps infrequently and am intrigued by dice control. Have you done a study which shows what happens to field bets when the dice are set for boxcars or elevens?

I only play the field and am a winner most of the time. I am careful and do not bet with wild throwers. I will only bet after a field number rolls, and then again only with someone who shows a little skill with the dice. This way I tend to avoid long strings of non-field numbers.

My thinking is with a skilled shooter, and field bets, the odds could be changed enough to give a real advantage to the field player. By using a dice set for tossing elevens or twelves, does this decrease the frequency of 6, 7, and 8?

Thanks,
Vincent

Dear Vincent:

Setting for boxcars (12) or the yo-11 still won't give most dice controllers the ability to overcome a house edge of 5.6 percent on the Field, an edge which is quite high. Most dice controllers are not at that elite level.

No random roller has the ability or expectation to overcome that edge in any decent length of rolls - obviously because they have no control over the dice. They play strictly a random game.

Betting the field after a field number shows does not reduce the house edge, it merely mimics one of the stupidest methods of play categorized as the "see a horn, bet a horn" principle proposed by the ploppies of craps. Yes, the Field has a smaller house edge than the Horn (5.6 percent to 12.5 percent) but the results will be the same - long-term losses.

Now here is a question in logic: Is it better to set for the 6 and 8, two place bets with house edges of 1.52 percent or set for the Field with its 5.6 percent house edge? Of course, it is better to set for the 6 and 8 which has an almost four times greater chance of showing.

If you are a great dice controller with an overall edge of 5 percent over the casino which bet will win you money?

Now, you state that you are ahead in your Field betting. That is great. Retire that style right now and be one of the few craps players to ever have a lifetime win over that bad bet.

For your great question, I am giving you a free 10-day subscription to my private, members-only web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members and the discussions are interesting, enlightening, and fun.

All the best in and out of the casinos.

Frank Scoblete