The Doey-Don't System

Hi Frank:

I have played at a table with a very successful player who was playing both sides of the line. I believe he called it "Doey-Don't." I believe he was using about 11 dollars on both sides of the line then going up on the Come and Don't Come.

Eventually he would take odds or lay odds depending on some unknown factor, which I surmise had to do with the number of successful rolls of the dice that the rolling player had achieved -- at different multiples of odds ( he was playing at a casino which gave 10X in odds).

He did later say he recommended playing this system at a casino which took 20 or 100 X odds. He said he had been asked to take his action elsewhere, from certain casinos which he named. Let me say that he was very generous with the dealers -- making bets which paid the dealers when Big Red showed up! When we parted I still did not understand the strategy of his play.

Can you help?

Thank You!
John

Dear John:

The "Doey-Don't" has been around for years and those who play it feel they are getting a smaller house edge against the casino in a random game of craps. Unfortunately, this is not true. If you are placing 11 dollars on both the Pass and Don't Pass or Come and Don't Come, you have $22 in action. That $22 faces an approximate house edge of about 1.4 percent, so you are losing about 31 cents each time you make such a "Doey-Don't" bet. Playing only the Pass or only the Don't Pass for 11 dollars reduces your loss in half. Thus, against random rollers, the best way to play is just using the Pass or Don't Pass, and the Come or Don't Come, not both at the same time.

Secondly, tipping the dealers is a great idea but the worst tips are the ones with the high house edges and Big Red is the worst of the worst. The best tip is to put a bet next to or on top of your Pass or Don't Pass and let the dealers know this bet is for them. Since the house has only a small edge on these tips, the dealers make more money when they hit.

The casino that told this guy to take his action elsewhere (assuming the guy wasn't obnoxious or drunk) is staffed by dopey pit people. Why would you ask a guy to leave who is making you twice as much money? That is a really idiotic move.

For your great letter, I am giving you a free week on my members-only private web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. There are over 5,000 members on this site and I think you will the posts interesting, educational and fun!

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete