Should I increase my odds bet?

Frank,

I got your book Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! and read it before heading to Harrah's in AC to try my hand at craps for the first time this past weekend. I still don't really understand all the concepts so I decided to just play the PASS line.

I played twice, each with $100 bankroll. I played until the roll was gone regardless of whether I won or lost. I played differently the second time from the first time.

The first time I played I laid the minimum bet on the PASS line. If I won, I took the winnings and put them in my pocket and continued playing the minimum. I did not place a backup bet on any of the bets. After about 45 minutes (it was fun as you say!) the bankroll was done and I walked away. I counted the chips I had $125 in chips! I won $25!

The second time I played, again with a $100 bankroll, I played only the PASS line but this time I increased my bet progressively and played a minimum back bet of $5 only when the point was 6 or 8. I progressively increased my bet until I lost and then went back to the minimum. Again, if I won, I put the winnings (minus the bet increase) into my pocket.

At the end of the bankroll, I left the table and counted the chips in my pocket. I had $197! Which meant I won $97!

I realize that this is not much to brag about but considering that I went into this expecting to lose the $100, I was happy.

I went back and read you book again and I'm very confused about some of the things. According to your book, instead of increasing the bet on the PASS line, what I believe I should be doing is increasing the bet on the back bet because I actually get a better return on the bet.

Is this a correct interpretation? I don't really understand the odds betting concept.

I am a long way from trying anything but the PASS line bet since I don't understand any of that other stuff yet. But I think it's possible to maximize my bets better. I'm not looking to get rich, more like I'm looking to limit my losses and get to play for a bit. I seem to go through $100 with slots and blackjack in minutes where as with craps I played for a good amount of time.

I greatly appreciate any info you can give me about this.

Yours truly,
Steve

Dear Steve:

The dice gods were kind to you.

I am assuming when you said you "laid" the pass line bet, you were actually putting the bet down after the point was established. This is called a "put" bet and it is a waste of your money.

The pass line has a very small 1.4% house edge. You are right in your assessment that you are always better putting more odds up than merely increasing the actual pass line wager. So if you are betting $10 on the pass line then putting $20 in back in odds really reduces the house edge.

But a word of caution is merited here. With a $100 bankroll even a small negative blip is going to wipe you out. Get 10 times that bankroll and you can play the pass line with full odds. You can survive most negative swings that way.

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

All the best in and out of the casinos.

Frank Scoblete