Readers Write

Frank,

I've read your books about the Captain and the 5-count. I've become interested in your thoughts on rhythmic rollers. As you mentioned, you're shooting with the 3's in a V on top, your favorite position is to the right of the stickman. When you are in this position, are you playing a system other than the 5-count doey/don't? From that spot, it is hard to place your bet up on the don't come spot and it seems annoying to have to ask the dealers to place it there all the time. Do you play a different way when you are shooting? I mean, still using the 5-count, but placing numbers or using the come or whatever.

I must say that I've really enjoyed your books. The friends that I go to the casino with are not craps players, so they haven't bought into your "system" yet. So in order to spend more time with them while we're there, I've also picked up your books on roulette and Caribbean Stud/Let It Ride/3-Card Poker. I must say that while I've played these games (and gotten killed doing it), I see from your books why I lost so much. But at the same time, I'm still not able to generate as much excitement as I get at the craps table. Using the 5 count has enabled me to stay at ice-cold tables (although why I'm staying at an ice-cold table instead of looking for a hot one, I don't know) while others at the table have been wiped out.

Please continue to share your gaming experiences with us.

Thanks,
Tom Redburg

Dear Tom:

Because I have gained a tremendous amount of confidence in my rolling technique over the years, I have had to modify how I actually play the Captain's methods, especially when I roll. You are correct that by standing next to the stickman, it would be annoying to the dealers, and draw too much unwanted attention to me, if I kept trying to make doey-don't bets. It would also ruin my concentration.

I now use the "high roller" system that I wrote about in Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos. When I roll, I put up a Pass Line bet, place the 6 and 8 and I buy the 4. I seem to hit the four (die faces 3:1) quite a bit and I seem to have an uncanny affinity for the six (made 3:3).

In addition -- on myself only -- I don't actually wait for the 5-Count; I go up on my numbers right away. It has taken me ten years of extensive play for me to get my rolling technique to the point where I have the confidence to bet on myself right from the get-go. My advice to those of you reading this is not to discard the 5-Count on yourself unless you know, without a doubt, that over time you have been making money on your own rolls. By playing this way, I tend to enjoy the maximum in concentration, get the maximum in comps, and the minimum in hassles.

The reason we 5-Counters can stay at "cold tables" is that the definition of "cold" doesn't apply to us as it does to other craps players. A "cold" table, where shooters are sevening out left and right before the 5-Count, is really a "neutral" table to us. Our "cold" table is actually a table where shooter after shooter makes the 5-Count and then goes down on the six, seven, or eight count. Then we should leave if we have lost 1/3 of our session bankroll, clear our heads for a few minutes, before seeking greener pastures.

I agree with you that craps is the most exciting game and that other table games just don't measure up to it in terms of adrenaline flow. But not everyone agrees with this. You will find some players who swear that Caribbean Stud is exciting or that Three-Card Poker and Let It Ride give you the bet bang for your buck. As you said, these games can be really deadly if you don't play the right strategies. Of course, even if you do play the right strategies, the house has the edge. Unlike craps, there's no chance of a "rhythmic roller" coming along to slightly alter the odds of the game to favor the player.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete

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