Craps A to Z Series - W is for Working

by Larry Edell, published on Tuesday, March 30 2004

Have you ever wondered why some people call their bets on (working) or off (not working)? And what does that have to do with making more money? Let's find out! Usually, if you have a bet on the layout that is left over from the previous shooter, it is "off" until the next come out. This can happen when you have active place bets and the shooter makes his point. Your place bets are still in play, but "off." When this occurs, the dealer may ask you if you want them on or off on the comeout. If your numbers are on and roll before the point is established you win, but if the seven rolls you lose. Obviously if you have a leftover place bet and a new pass line bet, they can sometimes be at cross purposes. If, for example, a seven rolls, you will win your pass line bet but lose your place bet. So be careful before calling your place bets on if you're going to make a pass line bet. But let's say you don't make a pass bet and have some place bets left over and the shooter is about to get the dice back. The dealer turns to you and asks, "Off or on?" If he doesn't ask, the default is "bets off," because this usually favors the casino, not the player. Let's look at the math. Since you are betting against the seven, it will pay to have your place bets on if there are two or more, since any two different numbers will roll more than (or equal to) the seven. For example, if you have a five and an eight, the five rolls 4 times and the eight 5 times. So you would have a 9 to 6 advantage on the comeout. If, however, you have just one place bet up, let it stay off. Now let's look at the don't side. Some people call their don't come bet "off" if it lands on the six or eight, the two easiest numbers to roll. But again, let's look at the math. The seven rolls 6 times (in 36 sample rolls) while the six or eight roll only 5 times. So you would still have the advantage on a don't come bet by leaving it working. In fact, you should never call any don't bet off. After the come out, any don't bet always has the advantage! You can also call any place bet not working at any time. For example, let's say you have three or four bets up and the shooter tosses the dice off the table. Instead of taking everything down, you can just say "all my bets not working," and when (and if) the shooter develops his rhythm again, you can just say to the dealer, "all my bets working again." You can also call your place bets off while you're waiting for something to happen, like the shooter throwing five numbers and thus establishing himself as a good shooter. If he sevens out (or makes the point) while your bets are off, you don't lose (or win) any money. And finally you can call new bets "on" when they are normally off, like before the comeout. If the shooter, for example, normally throws a lot of sixes and eights, you might want to bet the six and eight before the come out "working." This way you'll win if the six or eight shows but lose if a seven pops up. Remember, though, to look at the math. You do have the advantage here, as the six OR eight will roll a total of ten times compared to the seven's only rolling six times. So, have you ever wondered when you should call your bets on or off? Well, now you know! And as always, good luck at the tables!