Gaming Guru

Betting the Don't

Dear Frank::

The don't has slightly better odds. The pass line is 1.414% HA (with no odds) while the don't pass is 1.414 PA - 2.778% (for the 12) for a HA of 1.364%. What I don't like about don't pass is that it is against the flavor of the table (everyone wants the point) and that you generally have to put out more money (for odds) to win less. That leads to a higher volatility and leads to frustration when the table is hitting a lot of points. Craps is a very social game and it's difficult for me to go against the grain.

I don't have a problem with don't betters except when they are on the opposite end of the shooter as it's hard to miss their chips because their odds are laid out. I like your anecdotes but I don't see a problem with switching up between don'ts and pass line. The odds are the same. And frankly, these idiots make the table more entertaining... it's fun to argue with them. How fun would the table be if everyone was betting the best bets with no centre action?

Here's one for you: some people like to work in partnerships and play pass and don't pass at the same time looking at it for a way to aggregate comps no matter how the table goes. The problem with this is the lowly 12. On a $5 table, the result is that you still lose $5 (1/36th of the time) of the time and still break even the rest of the time for a HA of 1.389% on $10. You might as well go for broke and try to win some money instead. If you play the don't and pass at the same time you are GUARANTEED to lose. I guess that you would be rated as a $25 player if you took full odds and you both would probably get comped at about $10/hour while losing about $2/hour. Up the bet to $10 and play for a $16/hour benefit which would get either one of you a free dinner after an afternoon of playing.

Tim

Dear Tim:

I don't know if that "team" approach is really worth it.

Nice letter though.

Frank