Big Profit Playing Craps

by Larry Edell, published on Wednesday, March 19 2003

CHOICE - The first thing you should look for in a casino is whether it comps according to spread or bet. A bet casino will comp you according to your average bet, but a spread casino rewards you with your average spread. For example, let’s say you are a $10 player and have a $10 pass line, $12 6 and 8, and $5 on the field. At a "bet" casino, you would be rated $10. At a "spread" casino you would be rated $40. Also, make sure you get comp credit for all odds bets, don’t bets and prop bets. To find all this out just call your favorite casino and ask to speak to someone in the pit. And, if you’re about to choose your casino, take a look at it’s shows and restaurants. Even though you’ll end up getting them comped, do you like them? There is no point in getting something for nothing if it doesn’t do you any good!

ODDS - Some casinos only offer 2X odds. Some offer 5X or 10X or even 100X odds on your bet. But as a compromise, the casinos came up with something called "free table odds." This is 3X on the four, 4X on the five, and 5X on the six. This is a good deal for both the player and the casino because you win more money and it equalizes the number payouts. For example, if you add the maximum odds on a $25 pass line bet, your odds bets will be $75 on the 4 and 10, $100 on the 5 and 9, and $125 on the six and eight. So your odds wins on the 4/10, 5/9 or 6/8 would all be equal, at $150. Odds are very important because the casino has no edge on these bets. For example, let’s say you have a $25 pass line bet with 2X odds ($50), so you have $75 in play and could win $125 ($25 flat + $100 odds). However, if you have a $5 pass line bet with 14X odds ($70) you also have $75 in play but you could win $145 ($5 flat + $140 odds). Make sure you get what’s coming to you by maximizing your odds!

MONEY - Most experienced crapshooters never bring their own money to the casino. They use markers. The first thing you need to do is call your favorite casino’s cage and ask to be faxed, mailed or emailed a credit application. Fill it out and send it in. They will give you credit according to the average balance in your account, so if you have $500 in the account you specify, don’t ask for $5000. When you arrive at the casino, give the dealer your comp card and ask for double your buy in. If you normally play with $1000, ask for $2000. When the pit rates you, they look at three things - your buy in, your first bet, and your average bet. So your buy in and first bet should both be for as high as possible. Finally, find out the payment terms on your marker. Some casinos want to settle up when you leave, but others will let you keep the money for thirty days (or more) and then bill you. It’s much better to have the money for thirty days - interest free - so make sure that is available before you apply!

PLAY - You need to become a player that the pit crew wants to see return. You need to tip the dealers, call them by name, and be courteous to the other players, no matter how stupid they behave. Treat the dealers with respect, but make sure of your rating when you leave the table. It’s very difficult to change a rating the next day. Most rating problems occur at shift changes so be aware of this. After you’ve colored out, just tell a dealer you’d like to check your rating. He’ll probably tell you to stand aside, and a floor person will come over, get your information from the boxman, and return in a few minutes with your rating. If it’s not what you think it should be, now is the time to say something. If, for example, they have you down as playing for one hour when you’ve played two, you could lose half of your rating unless you say something. Remember, be courteous and respectful. They will help you more if they like you. They all have name tags, so be use to call to call the dealers by name every time you talk to them. Dealers like friendly people who tip - and they’ll want you back - in their casino!

So, getting a COMP is pretty easy - you just need to maximize your Choices, Odds, Money and Play!

And, as always, good luck at the tables!