Where should controlled shooters stand at the craps table?

Mr. Scoblete,

I recently obtained the DVD on craps [Golden Touch: Beat Craps by Controlling the Dice!]. It says where the four best places to stand are (stick right one and two; stick left one and two), but doesn't say if you can stand anywhere else and still use the controlled dice system.

Thank you,
Gene

Dear Gene:

As someone working on learning dice control, you want to give yourself the best chance to win and the best chance to win is to stand as close to the back wall as possible. Those two stick positions on either side of the stick person are the preferred positions. You are closest to the back wall and the distance to cover and the energy needed to cover those distances are not great.

If you attempt to shoot from further away, the harder it becomes for the new player to gain much control. Are there people who can actually shoot from the ends of the table and have a controlled throw? Yes, there are. In fact, in Golden Touch we have about a dozen excellent end shooters. But there is a big caveat with end-shooting - even the best dice controllers find that their SRR and on-axis control are not as good as when they stand at the stick left and right positions. Indeed, the Smartcraps analysis of their throws shows a 25 to 50 percent decline in their edges compared to those the other positions.

Now, you might read on the web of many, many shooters claiming they have outlandish edges by shooting from "straight out." Take such bragging with large grains of salt.

The end shot is difficult to master and is not done the same way as the preferred shots. You need to learn a whole new way to shoot to be decent at the end shot.

So the bottom line for you, right now, is to practice the preferred shot - and master that - before you even think about shooting from anywhere else. Once you have established an SRR of about 1 to 6.5, then get the Smartcraps software and see if you have axis control. You should be able to pass the three Smartcraps tests before you start thinking of yourself as an accomplished dice controller. That's where to begin your journey as an advantage player at craps.

For your question, I am giving you a free month on my private web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. You'll get an email giving you your password. There are 5,000 members on this site - so enjoy!

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete