Howdy Once Again Pilgrims,

Here’s another e-mail asking those magic, “How to Win at Craps” questions.  Here are some basic rules and a betting strategy.

When a shooter first gets the dice its called the “Come Out Roll”. A bet on the pass line wins when 7 or 11 is rolled. It loses when 2,3, or 12 is rolled. Any other number like a 4,5,6,8,9,10 becomes the point. The point of the game (excuse the pun) now is for the shooter to roll the point number again before 7 rolls. That’s really all you need to know for now. If you have any other questions ask the dealer on the game. They will be as helpful as possible.

A bet strategy? My strategy is for you to first place a bet on the pass line. After the point is established ask the dealer what max odds are and place them behind your pass line bet. Now make a bet in the come area. This bet operates just like the come out roll. When a 4,5,6,8,9,10 rolls, the come bet will go on that number. Take full odds and continue to make bets. This will afford you the best chance to make money on the table.

But, however, Pilgrim, I must serve you a caveat and warn you again that trying to win against a rich house with only a thin bankroll is not written into the odds! Probability theory states what can be expected to happen in the long run. A “professional” gambling operator makes so many more bets than any individual player in a single gambling session that he experiences a much longer run, and his wins and losses thus conform much more closely to what probability says he can expect. For the individual player, even an extended series of sessions is still a short run. His winnings and losing, therefore, may vary considerably from his long-run expectations and so he experiences winning and losing streaks.

Best of luck and happy gamin'. . .