Gaming Guru

Should I place the 4 at craps?

Frank:

I have been told that you should not place a bet on the come-out roll. The payouts on just placing the point numbers pays better, example $5.00 pass line $10.00 in odds on a point of 4. Why not just put $15.00 on the 4? What is your theory?

George

Dear George:

The placement of $15 on the 4 will pay $27 on a win - the house edge is a huge 6.67 percent on that bet.

However using a Pass Line bet or Come Bet pays more because the house edge on a double odds game is a mere 0.61 percent. The place bet is 11 times worse!

Many players forget that the very first placement of a Pass Line or Come Bet sees the player obtain a two-to-one edge with eight ways to win and only four ways to lose. So for 12 of 36 come out rolls, you are ahead $20 on a $5 bet (eight wins, four losses, 24 points established).

Now, once the number becomes the point, the payout is less than a place bet. So with $5 on the line/come and $10 in odds on a 4, you win $25. But that initial come-out edge makes the Pass/Come with double odds a much, much superior bet.

For your letter I am giving you a free 30-day subscription to my private, members only website at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members on this site and I think you will find the discussions quite enjoyable.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete