Should I Switch from Craps to Slots to Earn More Comps?

Hi, Frank:

On a recent trip to Laughlin (Harrah's) I got an interesting subtle tip from a very sincere floorman. He said in a nutshell: "You have a nice toss at craps but play craps for fun and try to win a little. Play video poker or any slot machine and you will be amazed at the amount of marketing offers and comps that Harrah's will send you."

I recall you and Jean Scott and Stickman alluding to this at times.

It seems that Harrah's in particular is most interested in slot players. You have said this all along... It is an opportunity for a relative low roller like me ($500 craps buy in) to gain an advantage with comps by spending more time playing VP and still playing craps for fun and (maybe) profit.

This isn't big news, but it is more inside info that confirms how the craps player can gain an advantage by not playing only craps... just food for thought. What's your latest take on this comment? I'm hoping to see you in Las Vegas in October for the Vegas dice control class.

Take care,
K.D.

Dear K.D.:

Harrah's does seem most interested in slot players because the edge on the machines is far greater than the edge at craps when the craps player makes good bets. The speed of slots is also extremely fast. A player can get in almost 2000 spins of the wheel in four hours of play, assuming 8 spins per minute, where you are facing 8 to 15 percent edges in general; while the craps player might experience about a 140 decisions in that time.

A 25-cent slot player is worth a heck of a lot more than a five-dollar craps player. You can see the difference.

I don't think slots is a good bet in terms of trying to get an edge through comps, although playing the best of the video poker machines, even if Harrah's gives back less in terms of comps, is probably the smartest way to go. Jean Scott and Bob Dancer have excellent video poker information and I would recommend their books and software if you want to be a serious player.

But I love craps far more than sitting in front of a computer screen, which I do all day, every day.

For your great letter I am giving you a free one-week subscription to my private, members-only web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. There are over 5,000 members on this private site and the posts are lively, informative and fun.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete