For those of you who feel a bit set back by the rules of craps, it's actually the odds within the game that are the real intimidators. The basic rules are viewed, or rather explained, in relation to the Pass and Don't Pass lines and we'd better take a little time out here to explain to you the types of bets that are parts of this article and which are accepted at a legal Craps game. There are many others, which we will discuss at another time. It's time for me to don my apron, open the crap table and let the first shooter throw the dice. Here they come! He's on a come out roll and he has made his point!

• Upon the initial casting of these little cubicles, any number, from 2 to 12, may show. If a 7 or 11 rolls, the Pass line wins and the Don't Pass line loses. This is also called the come out roll. After that roll, the Pass line and the Don't Pass line nomenclatures change to Come and Don't Come areas of the table because another roll is coming up. If on this come out roll a 2, 3, or a 12 should roll, then the Pass line will lose and the Don't Pass line will win but only on 2 or 3.
  
  
• In order for the House to keep its percentages it will, when a 12 rolls, bar, stand off, or push all bets on the Don't Pass line. Here is where you will notice, on the table layout felt, the words "Don't Pass, Bar 12" (pictured are two sixes).
  {If you're in Reno, it will read Don't Pass, Bar 2 (ace, ace), there being only one combination of either 12 or 2, but the house percentage is the same. If it says Don't Pass, Bar 3, then the house percentage on these games double because of there being 2 combinations of a 3. }
  
  
• Now, getting back: If you roll a number, a Point, as it's called, a 4,5,6,8,9, or 10 on this first roll, which is called a Come Out, then that Point must be repeated before a 7 rolls in order for the Pass line to win and the Don't Pass to lose. If a 7 rolls before the Point Number then the Don't Pass will win and the Pass line will lose. The Come area and Don't Come area is in effect only after a Point has been established. The same rules apply here as the Pass and Don't Pass, only it starts with the roll yet to COME up. It's like a game within a game.
  
  

Reading through some of this may be a bit confusing. As they say, "Experience is the best teacher." In this case, it may be the only teacher. When you get to a game, especially in the legalized gambling casinos, ask questions; any dealer, box man or pit boss will be glad to help you.

The Rules of Craps are one thing; the odds are another. Every bet on the Craps table has odds for or against it. To understand the odds you must first understand that Craps is primarily a mathematical game of numbers and you must memorize the correct odds. Your first step is to know that the cube with dots on it is called a die; it has six sides each marked with dots from one to six. That six-sided die is tossed with another one exactly like it, thus coming up with 36 possible combinations utilizing 11 numbers on the dies. You will notice that the odds progress and form a pyramid. It makes for easier memorization.

• 2 can be made in 1 way: 1-1
  
  
• 3 can be made in 2 ways: 1-2, 2-1
  
  
• 4 can be made in 3 ways: 1-3, 3-1, 2-2
  
  
• 5 can be made in 4 ways: 1-4, 4-1, 2-3, 3-2
  
  
• 6 can be made in 5 ways: 1-5, 5-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-3
  
  
• 7 can be made in 6 ways: 1-6, 6-1, 2-5, 5-2, 3-4, 4-3
  
  
• 8 can be made in 5 ways: 2-6, 6-2, 3-5, 5-3, 4-4
  
  
• 9 can be made in 4 ways: 3-6, 6-3, 4-5, 5-4
  
  
• 10 can be made in 3 ways: 4-6, 6-4,5-5
  
  
• 11 can be made in two ways: 5-6, 6-5
  
  
• 12 can be made in 1 way: 6-6
  
  

As you can see, this picture tells you a lot. When you know that there are 36 ways of making these 11 numbers and how each individual number is made, then you can easily figure the correct odds. Odds are based by the number of ways the point can be made as against the six combinations by which seven can be made. Are you still with me? OK! Now let's memorize the odds.

Let's say that you want to put an odds bet on your Pass line, which has a point of eight. You need to put 5 chips down, (the 5 represents the 5 combinations of an eight to win the bet). If you win, you are paid 6 chips (the 6 representing the 6 combinations of "7" to lose the bet). So, the odds on eight and six are 6 to 5. On the five and nine, the odds are 6 combinations to lose against 4 combinations to win and so, the odds are 6 to 4, or, like a fraction, it is reduced to read, 3 to 2. The four and ten carry odds of 6 combinations to lose and 3 combinations, 6 to 3, reduced to fraction form and related as 2 to 1. The odds table above reflects true odds, in that they are what they pay and they pay what they are.

In our next issue, I will explain the types of bets that pay other than true odds, hard ways, the field bets and place bets, to name a few. For now, the cover is on the table and the game is closed.

I would like to add a note to Jessie L., of Los Angeles, who last week asked me to explain what fade the shooter meant. One of my coworkers said that the prevalent situation is that your word is your bond; only words are exchanged and the money is not seen until the outcome has been made, or at the earliest convenience.

TRIVIA:
Man is a gamin' animal. He must be always tryin' to get the better in something or other.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
The Q & A box is open. Send your questions to "Ask Ha3ry" Contact him on site; http://www.4pointspress.com or direct your email to the Editor.