Talking craps

CINDY: What game is usually held up as the most exciting in the casino?

ABBY: Craps. Without question.

CINDY: Is it really though? Or is this just hype?

ABBY: It goes two ways. At times you can be jumping out of your own skin, but at other times you want to curl up and cry. So the highs can be really high, but the lows can be low if you don’t play the game properly. I found, after a year or so of trial and mostly error, that the wise words of true gaming gurus hold sway. I only make the best bets, and that is it. Pass line with odds and come with odds. I might be on three numbers if I hit a couple of times. I’ve been playing just about 30 years now.

CINDY: Thirty years is about right for me too. So when you play, you do what? A pass line, and then you wait for a hit?

ABBY: Two numbers, and if one hits I now have one number but I will then go up to two more numbers, making me have three numbers. Then I have to hit a few times more before I either increase my bet or add another number to the mix and have four numbers working. But I definitely want to have a win – or a few hits – in order to get somewhat daring. I also don’t care if I don’t get too daring; some of that depends on how I have been doing overall during my trip. I get more cautious if I am losing overall. I am the opposite of players who go on tilt.

CINDY: You go on un-tilt! I am different than you, as you know from our decades of play. I do like to make a few of the Crazy Crapper bets. I’ll do an occasional hard ways bet, but that’s about all. I agree that those Crazy Crapper bets are crazy, but I am like so many craps players — at times I want to get in on the action. It is easy to get carried away at the game.

ABBY: The “action” means you are being casino friendly because the house edge is big on those bets. The casino has it over you big time. Your money can get carried away.

CINDY: I know, I know, but as you said; craps can be amazingly fun if things are going right and when things are right with me I just love to put a couple of hard ways out there. I make them minimum bets. As you know, I will make a pass line bet but I won’t make come bets; I prefer placing the six and eight and maybe buying the four and/or ten. Yeah, you can say it now; I am an action player. I like the place bets, so I choose the number to bet, not the roll of the dice deciding what numbers I bet.

ABBY: When you win, you can win big with your way of playing.

CINDY: But when I lose, I can take a hosing. Your way of betting is not as dangerous. I am reconciled to the negative aspects of how I play.

ABBY: True. You have to be satisfied with your playing method or why bother to play at all? I think you have to fit your betting style at craps to your personality. I’m conservative; you’re more adventurous. It is easy, however, to go a little too far and not secure a win if you start over-betting in the beginning of a shooter’s roll.

CINDY: Too many players go all in right off the bat. My “adventure” starts when I am holding my own, and then I will let it somewhat hang out going for the big win. That can cost me a big win if the shooter sevens-out when I am spreading my bets out and increasing them.

ABBY: We definitely agree on that. You are asking to get wiped out if you throw too much money on too many bets at the get-go of a shooter’s roll. I believe in slow and steady. I also don’t think you should press bets right away; get some wins before you go up or out on other numbers.

CINDY: I believe in slow and then attack forcefully when some money has come in.

ABBY: We are on opposite ends in this methodology I guess.

CINDY: True. But I still enjoy being at the tables with you!

ABBY: Me too!