The Quotable Captain: 39 steps (Part I)

16 October 2018

By Frank Scoblete

The Quotable Captain: The 39 Steps (1-14)

(The late Captain was my mentor in gambling. I’ve written six books about him. This series contains some of his quotes, ideas and advice. This particular article concerns how the Captain lists the most important aspects of behavior at the tables.)

The Captain: The Captain gave me 39 rules to follow at the tables. — I am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps!

Follow the traditions and practices of the craps tables:

1. Craps Tradition #1: Do not hang your hands over the table when someone is shooting.

2. Craps Tradition #2: Do not say the word “seven” when at a craps table. Say “the devil” or “that number” or some such phrase.

3. Craps Tradition #3: If you are shooting and a die or both dice leave the table, ask for “same dice.”

4. Craps Tradition #4: Do not make bets when the shooter has the dice in his hand. Make all bets when the dice are in the middle of the table.

5. Craps Tradition #5: Do not buy in until a shooter has made a point or sevened out.

Practice good manners at the craps tables:

6. Do not yell or scold someone who has sevened out. Everyone sevens out sooner or later.

7. Do not shout your number into the shooter’s ear or whisper it up his nose so he can smell your breath.

8. Do not take it personally that a darkside (don’t) player wants the seven to show.

9. If the dealer makes a mistake, be polite as you state your case. Do not engage in arguments. An angry player makes other players uncomfortable.

10. Make sure you know what bets you’ve made so that you do not interrupt the game.

11. Do not be lascivious at the craps tables. Since the game is mostly a male domain, be a gentleman. Most women don’t want to be flirted with, sexually badgered or made to feel uncomfortable at a table surrounded by salivating males, especially middle-aged and older men.

12. Do not whine about your losses. Do not brag about your wins.

13. Always use the Five-Count on other shooters. It will eliminate approximately 57% of the random rolls.


Visit Frank’s website at www.frankscoblete.com. Frank’s latest books are Confessions of a Wayward Catholic, I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps and I Am a Card Counter: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Blackjack. Available from Amazon.com, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and at bookstores.