Let me introduce myself to you. As you can see by my byline, my name is Ha3ry -- pronounce it exactly as it is spelled, except that the 3 is silent. I'm a twenty-five year, card-carrying, craps veteran, an expert at dealing and supervising craps with an extensive expertise in gaming odds, casino management and design. Now that my credentials are out of the way, I'll don my green eye shades and apron, pick up my croupier's stick and make myself available for your questions on the execution of those elusive, white dotted, red cubes called dice.

The game of craps is defined as a game in which two dice are thrown and in which a first throw of 7 or 11 wins, that's a pass. A first throw of two dice totaling 2, 3, or 12 loses, hence craps, and a first throw of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or a 10 can be won only by repeating the number thrown before a 7 appears, in this case the 7 is a miss-out or a loser. So you see, the odds for winning and losing with continuous rolls of the dice are phenominal. However, I have seen a winning streak of that sort happen occassionally in my career at the crap tables.

Before we begin, a little advice about gambling on the crap tables. The first rule about gambling is that there is no rule about gambling. You approach the sport for what it is -- a game where Lady Luck is your only adversary. It is a game of chance, a game to play for enjoyment, a game which you can win or lose at. It is just a game one plays tossing two lifeless cubes down the length of a long, felt covered table with white, boxed numbers painted on its green surface. Playing craps is not a life-style nor is it a life and death activity.

Having said all that, the crap table is now open.

To start me off with my first feature article the editor has handed me a number of questions compiled by the staff here. In the coming months, we will try to cover all of the bases and answer as many questions as our time will allow us to. In time, we will set up a Q & A box for your convenience and attempt to answer questions that come our way, during the month, as well. I see through my eyeshade that our first question is what we call, in the racket, a tantamount question.

I hear that craps is a fast hard game.
How can I best win at craps?

Craps is history's biggest, fastest action, most widely played game of chance in the United States. Everyday, more money is won and lost at Craps than at any other form of gambling, with the exception of sports and race horse betting. So, dear reader, one way to look at winning is to think of it as decreasing your chances of losing. You must always know that the built in house percentages of the craps game will take its toll over a long period of time; only the short period of time percentages cannot be controlled. Your first play should be either yours or the table's minimum bet or the pass line with "odds". In any case, only bet what you are comfortable with losing. If you win, you can always come back and increase your odds. If you lose, decrease your odds on your next bet.

Playing on the dice table is a very personal experience. Always play at your own pace and at your own skill level. Play with caution, but above all, enjoy your play.

Trivia:
The playing of dice goes back to sixth-century Greece. It is said that Achilles and Ajax sat and played the game for hours on end.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Q & A box is open. Send your questions to "Ask Ha3ry" Please direct your email to the Editor.