Gaming Guru

Readers Write

Mr. Scoblete,

I have read all your books and love the concepts. The 5-count has saved me countless sums of money. Please keep writing!

I just came back from Aruba (on my honeymoon) and the craps tables all had signs that said, "No Setting or Rubbing of Dice."

I have never seen this before. Have you?

Joel

Dear Joel:

Thanks for the kind words. The sign you refer to is not common, but I have had other reports that some casinos have taken to posting signs and/or warning players that they aren't to take any care with their rolls. They are to just pick the dice up and fling them. Although many gambling authorities don't agree with my idea that some shooters can control the dice sufficiently to turn a slightly negative expectation into a slightly positive expectation, the casinos (often by their actions) give us an entirely different impression.

Taking away a player's ability to set the dice takes away another important part of the game for all players -- its style. It would be like telling baseball players that they can't swing the bat the way they want but must just pick the bat up and hit the ball. No style, no individual stance, no magic. Players who have developed their individual styles are fun to watch and most are not having any effect on the math of the game. The casinos make a lot of money from craps players and those casinos that interfere with the time-hallowed traditions of the game, one of which is the player's discretion in how he sets and delivers those dice to the back wall, should be avoided.

I realize that on some islands you have to take the game given to you if you want to play, but then again, you were on your honeymoon so no boorish signs could ruin that. Oh, and all of us at Frank Scoblete's Gaming Pages wish you the very best in your marriage!

All the best in and out of the casinos!
Frank Scoblete

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