Lesson Seven

The Rest of the Bets

You have heard it said, “We have saved the best for last!” That is not the case for the lessons that we have in store for you in Movement Seven. You will not be disappointed however. The bets covered in this lesson will only separate you from your money.

It is the intention of this lesson to not give too much attention to the bets that you should ignore if you are planning on playing craps either as your hobby or if as a more serious player, with a desire for consistent wins.

These high vig bets do not figure into a betting strategy. The pay off is too little for the exposure to risk. Think of it like this, to incorporate the plays outlined here is like crossing Las Vegas Boulevard blind folded on a Saturday night. You just are not going to want to do that with any expectation of survival.

You know you visit a new town and you drive around looking for a good place to eat. You come to a restaurant called “The Good Life” Best Food in Town. Well, it just can’t be. If it were the best food, everyone would know that and there would be no need to advertise. Get it? The layout of a craps table is kind of the same idea. Those bets that are not the best bets in town are advertised large on the layout and sold loud by the stickman.

Let’s take a look at the Field bet.

The Field bet is a one-roll bet that wins when any number in the Field rolls, 2,3,4,9,10,11,12. A Field bet pays even money except for the 2 and 12 which pay double. Occasionally, you will find a game that pays triple on either the 2 or 12 but not both. First glance, the Field seems like a gift to the players with so many ways to win. This is one reason that so much real estate is given up to the Field bet on the layout. The intention is to make this bet appear appealing to the player. In fact, there are but 16 ways of winning and 20 ways of losing. Of the 20 ways to lose, 5,6,7,8 are the numbers when rolled that make a Field bet lose. Couple that with the fact the bet basically pays even money and the House Advantage with this bet is all up hill for the player.

Next The BiG 6 and BiG 8

The Big 6 and Big is nothing more than hype and a big rip. Hopefully you will not see this bet on the layout. As most players know this to be a waste of money, almost no one these days makes the bet. Casinos are making better use of the real estate. If you must bet 6 and 8, then make a Place bet and settle for House Odds.

The Hardway Bets

Why are they called “Hardway” do you think? Your first two guess don’t count. There are four numbers involved with the Hardway bet. They are 4,6,8,10. A Hardway, is a number rolled in pairs. 2/2, 3/3, 4/4 and 5/5. There is only one way to roll a hard 4, a hard 6, a hard 8, or a hard 10. Besides the 7, the easy way for each of these numbers will cause the bet to lose too. So, you have one way to win verses all the ways to lose.

Ø There are 6+4 ways for a Hard 6 or 8 to lose.

(six sevens and the four easy ways)

Ø There are 6+2 ways for the 4 or 10 to lose.

(six sevens and the two easy ways)

Even though a popular bet and Hardway betting gets a lot of action, Hardway betting is discouraged, unless you feel a need to support the casino’s bottom line.

The Proposition Bets

It is getting late and we are going to make some of this short for a reason. These are the bets that keep the casino lights burning bright and all the fancy stuff trimmed. Keeping this explanation safe and appropriate, I’ll have you look up the definition of proposition if you do not understand the meaning for the word. In short, these bets are high vig, one-roll bets that will cost you more than you can ever hope to win. Players love these bets. Play them if you love to lose.

In a Nut Shell, The Rest of the Bets

Hop bet: A one roll bet on a specified combination for a number. Long shot of long shots. The bet is called to the boxman and the chips tossed in the air to the boxman or stickman light you don’t care. (And you might as well not) The likelihood that your guess is going to roll next is a HOPE at best. Hop 5/4 or 6/3 is betting that any combination for “9” will roll next. Hopping is hopeless!

Horn Bet: A one roll bet on the 2, 3, 11, & 12. This is a high vig and is certainly not recommended. Use your money instead to tip the cocktail server.

Horn High Bet: This is just a lazy bet. Instead of digging out four units to cover the four Horn numbers, the player tosses out a five unit chip with instructions for the extra unit to be bet on the number called out. The bet is made in multiples of 5 with one unit on three of the horn numbers, and two units High on a specified number. (Horn numbers, 2,3,11, or 12). Example. “$5 Horn High 12": $1 each on 2, 3, 11, and $2 on the 12. Better to save the $5 for the valet.

Whirl Bet: Not worth the time it takes to explain the bet. A one roll bet that 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, is rolled next. The bet is made in multiples of $5, one unit on each of the numbers. Better to save the $5 for cab fare.

Lay Bets: When Laying money on 4,5,6,8,9, or 10 you are betting that a 7 is rolled before the number(s) with the lay bet. The vig is 5% of the winnings on this bet. Best when the 5% commission is paid after the bet wins. Some casinos collect the vig front. A winning bet is paid true odds less the commission. House edge 3.03% on 4/10, 2.5% on 5/9, and 1.82% on 6/8. There are better ways of making a play that the dice will not pass. Read the Movements on Don’t Pass and Don’t Come.

Buy Bets: You really are buying or paying to make this play. Player pays a 5% commission for true odds on a Place bet. Some casinos collect the commission only on winning bets, this is preferred. Casinos that collect the commission in advance are taking advantage of the buy bet. If you must make a buy bet, only buy the 4 or 10 and buy for $20 or more so the true odds are worth while. Still we do not recommend making Buy bets.

Hopefully by now you get the idea that the bets listed in this lesson benefit the casino and should be ignored and avoided like the plague. Enough said on this subject, let’s move on.

Oh, if we missed any other Tourist bets, it was intentional.

In the last installment Lesson 8, of the DiceSetter.com Free Dice Lessons, we will help

you to understand how much it costs to play Dice. Until then, leave the Tourist bets to the Tourists. You now have the knowledge to play the game, to dance the dance and make the smart moves. Now, wasn't that Simple?

Lesson 8

Return to How to Play Craps Table of Contents

The Do's and Don't of Dice