Dice Setter Precision Shooter’s Newsletter: January 2011

Questions From Our Readers

Where’s the rule book?

I was in Tunica, MS playing craps. I just started playing this game a couple of months ago. The shooter shot the dice and on of the dice bounced up and rolled across a man’s arm, hit his hand and then he knocked the die back on to the table layout. My question for you, should that have been counted as a roll? Where can I find the official rules regarding this problem?

Thank you, Keith                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 Hi Keith,

I take it from the last word, problem, that you were not happy with the call. First, you must understand that gambling does not have to play by “fair rules” such as with football or baseball. The rules are ruled by the casino and that is the boxman’s job.

Your example of a wild die and it often happens, when a die continues without being stopped by a player, as you describe, and lands in the field of play, it is likely to be called a roll. Much to the players’ dismay, especially if the result is a seven out. The casino is after results, not instant replay and smiles. There is no reason for the roll you described to be given a second chance as far as the casino is concerned, even if it have rolled “front line winner”.

Keith, as you log in more hours at the craps table, you will witness many unusual and questionable results. It’s the casino’s game, played by the casino’s rules, and they will have their reason for a call or no call. You are not going to find a rule book as in baseball or football…. as far as I know. I spent a little time on-line. I found descriptions of how the game is played, but nothing like a rule book. The boxman is the “rule book”. In fact it is his primary function to watch the game and make sure that the dealers are “taking care of business”. When there is any doubt, the boxman’s decision is the rule.

Once I was tossing from table end and I lost one die and it dropped right in front of me while the other die flew down the layout to the back wall. The boxman made the call….. “Six! Front line winner!”

I could not believe it.

Ed Jones                                       

Hi Ed, I like to play craps and I win well at it. But I need your help. I place $10 on 5 place $12 on 6 and 8 place $15 on a hard 4 and $7 in the field and lay the 4 for $120 vig is $3. I win $7 on every roll but lose the lay bet if a soft 4 is rolled?  Is there a way I don’t lose my lay bet? Should I place all my bets out there but not the lay bet for the come out roll? And then after the come out roll put the lay bet out there? Any help please, Casey

Hello Casey,

If in deed you are winning with this play, you should be thrilled with your results.

This play and others similar to it have been around for ever. Let me say up front that there is no way to win every time. You are working a hedge bet and there are always flaws with this kind of a bet. Further, the flaws are a goose chase. You will never short-stop the flaws.

Regarding you last question about sitting out the come out roll, the odds of a 7 rolling for your lay bet to win is always 1:6 or 16.66%. The odds of rolling a four is 1:2 or 8.33%. The odds of rolling easy four is 1:18 or 6%. There is absolutely no reason to leave out the come out roll in your play.

Ed Jones