Readers Write

Dear Frank,

This is an update on my use of the Supersystem, and I also have a few questions.

We (the beautiful P.D. and I) were in Las Vegas for five days staying at Paris in a strip-view room for $49 per night--a tremendous value. Aside from a few hands of blackjack--I noticed a great increase in the number of continuous-shuffle machines in operation--all of my playing time was at the craps tables employing the Supersystem with $5 doey-don't bets and going up with 3, 4, and 5 times odds, which now seem to be the norm on the strip. In about four and a half hours of playing, I made $700. I played at Bellagio, Paris, Bally's, Harrah's, and Alladin on the strip, and at the Golden Nugget and Binion's (where they still have $3 minimums with 10 times odds) downtown. I had no problem betting do-don't at any of the casinos, though I always asked first and I placed "yo for the dealers" bets early and from time to time. I got in on one monster role at Harrah's--a perfect application of the "golden ruler" principle--and a few good rolls. I am a true believer in the Five Step Advantage Play approach, but I have yet to see anyone else using it. So much the better for us, huh?

My first question is whether the "Get the Edge at Craps" book is available yet? Second, could you tell me where I can get specifications for the design of a craps table? All I really need is length, width, and, if possible, the length of the arc of the corners. I am reasonably handy with woodworking tools and I want to make a half table for practicing my dice rolls (or, more accurately, lobs).

Lastly, you wrote in "Beat the Craps" that the preferred positions for Supersystem players are in the corners next to the dealers in order to place the Don't Come bets. I have found that to definitely be true for betting purposes. In "Forever Craps" you wrote that you now like to stand to the right of the stickman in order to get the most control on your rolls. I have also had good results doing this from the left of the stickman or from the left of the dealer who is on the left of the boxman. In your interview with the Captain in issue 27 of New Chance and Circumstance, you write that you have "been practicing with the overhand grip..." Does this mean that you lead with the back of your hand rather than the palm when you release the dice? (I do; I find I have better control, both in hitting my spot and in limiting rotation.) Are you left handed? Otherwise, I can't visualize how you lob with an overhand grip from the right of the stickman. Could you clear this up for me?

Finally, I didn't realize when I renewed my subscription last October that a three-year extension would ensure invitations to your informal seminars. I certainly would like to take advantage of that offer as I have many questions for you, and I would like to meet you in person.

Thanks,
Darrell

Dear Darrel:

First, thanks for becoming a Golden Subscriber to The New Chance and Circumstance magazine. As you know the magazine does not have any advertising from casinos and we depend on our subscribers to keep us afloat. I have done several free informal seminars with some of our Golden Subscribers in Las Vegas and Atlantic City recently and they have been a lot of fun. You'll be informed when and where the next one is as soon as I plan it. In the past, gaming writers Henry Tamburin, John Robison, Walter Thomason, John Grochowski and Bill Burton have partaken in such informal seminars with me and the beautiful AP and our Golden Subscribers.

I wish I could help you with your question concerning buying or making a craps table. Perhaps if you call the Gambler's General Store in Las Vegas, you could get some help. Wendy Rock, the owner, probably knows the wholesalers as her store is a veritable supermarket of gaming products. (I've done all my practicing the hard way -- in casinos!)

When I stand on the stickman's right, it is very easy to use the "overhand grip" -- which is the backhand first as you mentioned. In fact, this grip seems easy from either side of the stickman. I have now used the overhand grip about 30 times but I am not yet proficient with it and I have had some disastrous rolls since I go up on myself right away when I roll and don't wait for the 5-Count. So now I tend to go back and forth between my "overhand" and "underhand" roll.

The Captain, by the way, has taken up the "V" threes as his set and his overhand roll is beautiful. His control is amazing.

For people who wish to play the Supersystem and are not attempting to develop a "rhythmic roll," then the positions at the top ends of the table are the best. However, at this stage of my craps playing career, I find the stickman to be where it's at.

All the best in and out of the casinos!
Frank Scoblete

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