| In the movie, Frank Sinatra runs a floating craps
game for a living, and usually does pretty well at it too. That is,
until Big Julie comes along and insists that he shoot with his "special"
dice.
Big Julie was a Chicago mobster, complete with guns
and bodyguards, who really hated to lose at craps. In fact, he always
won when he used his own dice - 100% of the time - Always. He had no
special system, and his dice weren't loaded. But they were special, rare
dice that had dots on them that only he could see! So when he rolled
them, he generously called out the numbers for everyone else who of
course couldn't see the results.
He made every point, and nobody doubted that he was
honest. After all, he was Big Julie from Chicago and so he never lost.
This got me to thinking about the casino. It never
loses either. The casino is Big Julie. Even if you won every single bet
you made, the casino would still come out a winner.
This is because it takes a percentage from each flat
bet, whether the bet wins or loses.
Sometimes it takes more of a percentage than others. For example, it
takes 16% of your "Any Seven" bet, but only .3% of your pass line bet
with 5X odds.
What this translates to you as the player is that you
have a choice - Make bets that give the casino a higher percentage or
make those that give the casino almost no advantage at all. Since the
game of craps will always mathematically favor the casino, there are
only three things you can do to beat the game on a regular basis.
(1) Wager low casino advantage bets only. This includes pass/don't pass
with 5x or higher odds, come and place bets, and a few others. No
Proposition Bets, Hardways, C&E, Any Seven, Whirl, or any other high
payoff bets. They are all different disguises of Big Julie and remember,
he always wins!
(2) Learn how to set the dice. When you shoot, even a tiny edge will
offset the 1.4% (or less) that the casino makes on the pass line. Also
be on the lookout for "rhythm rollers." If someone sets the dice
carefully and starts to win, bet along with him!
(3) Maximize your comps. Quite often you'll make more
in comps than winnings. This means you get free rooms, free food and
free shows, just for playing the way you normally would. Never play just
for comps, but ALWAYS get the comps you deserve!
So despite Big Julie running things, you still have a
choice - winning or losing.
Choose to win! Don't let Big Julie get you!
And, as always, good luck at the tables! |
