==========================================

Think About It…

 

There is an opinion being tossed around in certain dice communities that casinos are using crooked dice during certain times, (weekends) to pad out the bottom line for dice revenues.

 

Think about it for a minute. Why would casinos want to mess with an already good thing? With the odds already favoring the casino, guaranteeing their profit 24/7, why would they stoop to using unfair dice too? Could they get away with it in the first place?

 

I don’t know if it is yes or if it is no. I do know how hard it is to keep a secret and moving crooked dice in and out of a craps game would be no secret. At the very least the operators of the game would have to know. The first disgruntled employee could have it splashed about the Internet in about three and half seconds.

 

The question that bent dice in a game are illegal or legal is not the issue. It comes down to public perception and image. Are the operators of publicly traded companies, so greedy or so dumb, that they would risk their reputation and continued business for a bit more weekend profit from the craps game? Yeah, maybe. But think about it, if you know anything about blackjack, you know how casinos have changed the rules over the last twenty years. These rule changes have taken away player’s advantage and has made the casinos more profit. Does anyone complain or consider the changed blackjack rules cheating, biased or unfair? Okay, I mean besides me…

 

Rule changes for craps, though perhaps more complicated, could be accomplished just as in blackjack. It would receive gripes and grumbles of course, but it would not have the risk of reputation that crooked dice could bring. And so what if some players give up the game?

 

Think about it… If you have been following the evolution of gambling, you may have notice the reduction in craps games offered in casinos. The Mirage, for example, used to have two dice pits for a total of ten tables. Now, the Mirage has only one dice pit with six tables.

 

Craps is a hands-on game and it takes several well trained casino personal to operate the game. A slot machine takes just one casino person to operate. Once the employee has plugged in the machine, it is good to go.

 

When you think of the bottom line, and casinos do, you have to think about the cost per square foot of real estate, to the profit generated. In those casinos, which have eliminated craps games, what do you see in place of the missing craps tables? Whatever it is, it is sure to generate more profit with less hassle than a craps game.

 

Think about it… with all the options a casino has for manipulating profit, does it really make cents (sic) to risk their business reputation? Is all the hoopla over bent dice justified, or it just another quest for windmills; Don Quixote’s excuse for why he can’t win?

 

<top>

How Much Money? 

I get this question frequently, how much money do you take to Las Vegas?

 

My answer does not have to be your answer. There are numerous factors to consider when it comes to gambling and bankroll. Each player must be honest with themselves answering a few basic but important questions. 

1.      How much money do I have to risk?

2.      How comfortable I am losing that much money?

3.      What is my minimum bet?

4.      How long (number of days) will I be playing?

5.      How many games, (craps, blackjack, poker) will I play?

6.      How many sessions per day will be played?

Here is a rule of thumb for a weekend trip to Las Vegas, playing three days. Take five times the amount of one buy-in for each game you intend to play. Figure a minimum of 30 times the minimum bet per buy-in.

 

Example: A blackjack player betting $10 minimum bet would buy-in for $300 and have a total trip bankroll of $1,500.

 

Example: A craps player betting $10 minimum bet would have $300 for each bet they intend to make in the craps game. Craps is a bit more costly in the front end as each bet should be financed properly with its own money. A player with a pass line bet and placing betting the 6 and 8 should have a buy-in of $900. I would make it $1,000 even. The craps player with a $5,000 trip bankroll could be financially backed for three days of craps making three bets.

 

I can hear critics saying that this is too much or not enough money. I say it is a conservative amount that will provide a skilled player with enough financial clout to have a fair go at the game. If it works out and you win, there is no problem. If something bad happens, the loss is limited to an amount that was adequate for playing and palatable if losing and you should still have back-up money to continue to play a later session. Following a loss, it is not advised to continue to play without a break and reflection time.

 

 

On The Coat Tales of a Gambler...

The next episode will appear in the next issue of Playing 4 Keeps.

 

Well, that’s it for this edition of the Playing 4 Keeps™ Newsletter.

See you at the tables,

Michael Vernon

 

<top>

==========================================

 2008 Schedule: Click Here

==========================================

Testimonials for Playing 4 Keeps

Blackjack Players                                  Craps Players

==========================================

Gaming Announcements!

 

Do's and Don'ts of Dice Playbook Returns

 

H I L T O N   T O U R N A M E N T ~ S  P  E  C  I  A  L !
How To WIN the Hilton $100,000 Craps Tournament!
Presented by ~ The Dice Coach & Pablo
 

The Three Amigos:  April 3rd. Make your plans to join Soft Touch, The Professor and the Dice Coach in fabulous Las Vegas. No other dice program offers the comprehensive knowledge presented by The Three Amigos. Class size limited to ten students.

Call Beth toll free to register. 866-342-3626

 

Private Lessons: ~ Playing 4 Keeps: Now you may schedule a private lesson for Blackjack, Craps or Texas Hold'em Poker with the Professor.

 

Recommended Gaming Sites!

"Dice Coach" www.dicecoach.com

"Queen Bee of Dice" www.dicesetter.com

 

Click Here For More Gaming Links:

 

<top>

==========================================

Referrals to my web site and my newsletter are appreciated. Help spread the word. There is more to the games than meets the eye.  "You can win them all Playing 4 Keeps!"

 

Tell your friends about the FREE subscription to the Playing 4 Keeps™ Newsletter. Have them send a blank email to: playing4keeps@aweber.com

 

Thank you for your continued loyalty. Your comments, questions and suggestions are always welcome.

Email: professor@playing4keeps.com

==========================================