Salvo Cannonade of Craps Questions
Part Two

Before I Deal: We continue with the salvo cannonade of craps queries.

Name all the wagers on a crap game that have less than a two percent house advantage? Becky C.
Pass line, don't pass, come line, don't come, odds, and placing the six and eight.

The best bet on a craps game is? Larry V.
Odds on your pass or come line bet. House edge-ZIPPO.

Should I ever place a wager on the pass line after a point has been established? Mark B.
Never. At this point the house has a much bigger edge because the point has been established. On the come-out roll you need those sevens and elevens to maintain that low house edge of 1.41% on a pass line bet.

Can I sit down and play craps? Bobby C.
Generally no, unless you're blessed with Saudi Arabian oil wealth or a high roller of the same magnitude.

What is a call bet? David L.
A voice bet, acknowledged by the stickman, without chips on the selection.

What did the dealer mean when she asked me if I wanted to "press" my bet? Shirley M.
To increase or double your previous wager and return any excess winnings to you.

I found a 25 cent crap game in Las Vegas. Can I just bet 25 cents on the pass line? Brian P.
Generally, yes, and you still get free cocktails to boot. Some casinos may request a 50 cent minimum wager.

How many throws of the dice occur on an active game per hour? James M.
Good dealers can push the dice well over 200 times per hour, making craps the most consistent live action game the casino offers.

Can I request my place bet to be working when the point marker (puck) is marked off? Robert A
Yes, but you must inform the dealer that you want your bet working.

What do the two dice signifying 12 on the Don't Come or Don't Pass line mean? Ronald M.
It means if the 12 rolls, it's a tie. You neither win nor lose.

Why are odds and place bets generally "off" on the come out roll? Randy T.
To avoid confusion. Besides, you're rooting for a seven on your pass line bet.

What do they mean by throwing numbers? Linda L.
A thrower, with a hot hand, is tossing the box point numbers of 4-5-6-8-9-10 and avoiding the dreaded 7 (cinco dos, adios) from appearing.

Before I Shuffle:

Final question. Can a greenhorn player stick to a few simple bets instead of mixing up his wagers on a crap game? Absolutely, and I advocate it.
When you join the euphoria of this action-packed game and give craps a try for the first time, you need not be intimidated. Just step up to the table with confidence and play these two outstanding craps wagers. A pass line bet and placing the 6 or 8. Both have a house advantage of under 1.5 percent.
A few pointers first. Ask your friendly dealer (generally the first two hours of his shift) how to make these bets. Also, look for the lowest table limit you can find, preferably $2 or less. Even with a low house edge, no need to make it an expensive learning experience. Also note here, I'm not mentioning odds. True, they are the best bet the casino offers, but, the devil is in the details. I will revisit odds in the near future when more space is available.
Finally, disregard those proposition bets (hardways, field bets, one number rolls, etc.) the dealer is barking out. Some can have a house advantage as high as 16 percent-higher than the interest on your Visa Card.
If you stick with the smart wagers I mentioned above, your liaison with the crap table should be a pleasant one.

Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd. Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com · To order Mark Pilarski's "Hooked on Winning" audio cassettes--laminated win cards package ($12.95 plus $2. S&H) call (800) WINNERS.

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