The devil

30 June 2015

By Frank Scoblete

FROM MIKE: Statistically the devil [the number seven] should show up about every six rolls. What do you think about a “4-on, 4-off” method of play?

For example, I place the 6 and 8 and work them for four rolls. Then on the 5th roll I turn my bets off for four rolls. Then on the 9th through 12th roll they are working for four rolls. On rolls 13 to 16 they are off. And so on.

This pays no regard to whether the roll is coming out or not, or who is rolling. So if a shooter is coming out on the 11th roll I say work my bets on the come out. And on the 13th roll I am “off for four rolls.”

The basic point of this system is it allows the devils to show (which they inevitably will) without losing your bets. (*If they tend to show more often during the groups of four off rolls).

If your pattern is lucky, and you parlay correctly, you can carry quite a sum over from shooter to shooter while safely dodging the devils.

Four rolls on, four rolls off. No regard to whether the roll is coming out or not. A built-in safety net. No “guessing” as to when the devil shows.

You’re only playing against the devil. So what do you think?

FRANK RESPONDS: I like it with a few small reservations. Let me give you the BIG upside to your system first.

You are reducing the total number of random rolls on which you are betting. That reduces your losses. So this is a great and a safe way to play. As long as you make low house-edge bets, you will keep your losses lower than if you were betting on every shooters’ every roll.

The seven will show 16.67 percent of the time, whether your bets are working or not. In a random game you can’t avoid that 16.67 percent statistic. So being “on” or being “off” has no impact on the seven’s appearance.

I would not treat the Come-Out roll as a regular roll. Don’t keep your bets working. Enjoy the break or bet the Pass Line.

I agree that with a rightside bettor, which you are, the game is your number(s) versus that devilish seven. I would also consider adapting your method to use Come bets with odds. You can make the odds work and then not work. Yes, you will always have that Come bet working but overall it is a better bet than the placing of the 6 and 8. Still, placing the 6 and 8 is not a bad bet if you prefer to go that way.

For your letter I am sending you a copy of my book “The Virgin Kiss.”

Frank Scoblete’s new book is “I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps.” Available on Amazon.com, Kindle and at bookstores.