Gaming Guru

Craps Bets for New Players

Dear Frank:

I have a question. Vegas has 3X, 4X and 5X odds almost everywhere. I usually place the 6 and 8 for $24 each. The 5X times odds is simply too high for my comfort level and yet I know the odds are my best bet. Any thoughts or recommendations?

Also, for a relatively new player, your books seem to suggest several methods of play. A Pass bet with odds and two Come bets with odds or maybe just Place 6 and 8. For a newbie can you pin it down a little more and simply say do this exactly this way? In other words, just one simple system for new players. I would enjoy this.

Thank you.

Jim A.

Hi Jim:

With $48 split between your Place bets on 6 and the 8, your expectation is to lose about 73 cents. Now, if you were to make a $10 Pass Line or Come bet and back it with full odds, your expectation is to lose 14 cents. Make two such bets and your expectation is to lose 28 cents. You would face putting out a maximum of $60 when your Point or Come number is a 6 or 8, $50 if the number is 5 or 9 and $40 if the number is a 4 or 10. Double those amounts if you put out two bets.

So, the best way to bet is just one Pass Line or Come of $10 with full odds in order to stay in the vicinity of the maximum you are currently betting. Overall, you will reduce your losses significantly by doing the bet as I suggest.

So the advice I just gave is my "simple system" and it is the best possible way to play the game when you are dealing with random shooters.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete