Gaming Guru

Scobe's Quick Tips: #93 and #94: Doubling Down, Buying Craps' Numbers

Scobe's Quick Tip #93

Doubling down can be a real winner for players at blackjack.

• When you have a two-card 11, double on all dealer upcards except an ace in multiple-deck games, and double against the ace as well in single-deck games.
• When you have a 10, double against a dealers 2 through 9.
• When you have a 9, double against a 3 through 6 in multiple-deck games and 2-6 in single-deck games.

For more information on blackjack, read Best Blackjack by Frank Scoblete, Blackjack Take the Money and Run by Henry Tamburin, and Get the Edge at Blackjack by John May.

Scobe's Quick Tip #94

At craps, avoid Placing the 4, 5, 9 or 10, unless you can buy them for $25 and $50 and only pay the commission when you win.

Otherwise the casino edges on these bets is just too big to overcome in the long run. The 4 and 10 come in with a 6.67 percent edge and the 5 and 9 come in with a 4.0 percent edge.

For more information on craps, read Forever Craps by Frank Scoblete and Get the Edge at Craps by Sharpshooter.