The don't, the buy and the Speed Count

25 June 2013

By Frank Scoblete

Dear Frank:

In the column on April 9 about the person that would not play “don’ts” a few words. A few months ago while playing at the I.P. in Biloxi, it got so bad that ALL FOUR of us were playing the “don’t” only. Even when we had the dice! Everybody was going 3-4 seven-out.

Some people walked up and started playing the pass line. They kept losing and griping. One of our four said if shooters are playing “don’t” on themselves that should tell you something. Tney got angry and told us that we didn’t know how to play. And left.

There is no telling about some people. This is the silliest thing I have seen in my short craps career. Don’t they know players can play both sides of the table?

I enjoy all your columns and have read some of your books. Hope you find this funny. I swear this is true. I play in Biloxi or Tunica four to six times a year.

Best to all,

G.C. George


Dear G.C. George:

“Don’t” players are disliked by the majority of “right” players. This has been so ever since I can remember.

I hope you guys won some money.

I am giving you a free copy of my new book “The Virgin Kiss” for your letter.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete


Dear Frank,

Let me begin by thanking you for all the valuable advice both from you and relayed by you over the years from your very good friend, The Captain. That advice has saved my bankroll more than once and made the game more enjoyable. You have always supplied relevant advice and allowed me to grow in ability as a craps player and I thank you for your efforts.

Recently you replied to Bradley S. in regard to the buy bet on the 4 and 10. I often buy the 4 and 10 but respectfully disagree that the $100 buy is a good bet.

You taught us in your books that The Captain was a major factor in changing the vig on a buy bet from 5 percent to 4 percent. Traditionally buyers would buy in multiples of $20 for a $1 vig on a win. Thanks to The Captain, we now buy in $25 increments for a $1 vig on the win.

That advantage is lost on a $100 buy since the casinos charge a $5 vig on the win- back to a 5 percent house edge. I have found no way around this and only buy for $75.

I welcome your comments!

Regards,

Skip L


Hi Skip:

If I said to buy the $100 on the four or 10, I was wrong and you are right. The edge is too high. I can’t believe I said that.

In games where the house only takes the vig out of wins, a buy of $25 or $50 would be the way to go. You’d pay only $1 or $2 respectively. The house edge is reduced to 1.3 percent which is even better than placing the six or eight.

Now if you have to pay the vig on both wins and losses, then it becomes a crummy buy bet at $25 and $50.

The Captain pushed the house in Atlantic City to allow bets of $35 for the $1 vig and that reduced the house edge to just under three percent -- still not such a hot bet but a lot better than the 6.67 percent placing of the numbers.

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

All the best in and out of the casinos,

Frank Scoblete


Dear Frank:

Just picked up your book on Speed Count, “Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge.” What an easy read and wish I had known about it years ago.

I tried it out this past weekend.

The count for the first few shoes indicated that I should leave and I was definitely losing. Later that night I decided to just watch a table for awhile and wait for a favorable count.

Two shoes later the low cards were flying out if the shoe and the count got to 35 on an 8 deck shoe. I watched another hand and it went to 36. I promptly bought in and was pleasantly surprised that the count stayed over 33 for the duration of the shoe. I recouped my losses but the next shoe got off to a bad start so I left.

Can't wait to try again on my next trip. Highly recommended read.

Alan

Dear Alan:

Speed Count is great; easy to learn, easy to use, and it will give you an edge over almost all blackjack games. So I am glad you had a good experience with it. Of course, even with an edge you can having losing sessions. Just remember that on the days you get hammered.

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

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete