It’s time to finally show off my craps table. I’ve had it for 6 months leaning up against a wall in a spare room in the house, and have not been able to set it up and use it, since it’s far to heavy to move into place for one person. This is the first time it’s been horizontal and I thought I’d capture one roll on film before I cut it up to be a portable craps table instead. Which is what I wanted in the first place, but unfortunately the Chinese manufacturer didn’t give me what I asked for.
More videos to follow of this new table in action, and how I’ve learnt to throw the dice – and support that with appropriate betting to take advantage of it.
I’ve mentioned before that I use Target 3 Play in Baccarat and as the basis for my Craps play as well.
Thanks to Seth Theobeau for the inspiration and knowledge he freely shares on his blog about Target Betting. I suggest you read his whole blog from beginning to end. I did.
It’s been 6 weeks since I’ve had time to indulge in my Craps. I wasn’t going to miss today for anything. Even just watching would be ok.
Arrived at 3pm to find the 1/2 table full again. Which is good because I want it full all the time to prove to casino management that they should not put the table back in storage.
I just watched for a bit because I could see a longish hand in flight and enjoy a good shooting display. From a guy who is a regular, which I would consider a rhythm roller.
2 important differences today.
#1 I have lost my little notebook which I track all my rolls.
#2 I thought I had $400 in my wallet but only had $150
So these 2 nuggets really upset me. I couldn’t believe it. I had reached into my bag to get my little tracking notebook and my little pencil and they were not in there usual spot in my bag. I didn’t realise how accustomed I’ve become to tracking my rolls and how much I get out of analysing the session afterwards with the data I collect.
I felt it was almost not worth going to the casino without it. But as I said nothing was going to stop me.
Next hurdle was my cash. Friggin wife and kids must have ransacked my wallet that morning.
So my usual $400 buyin was now down to $150, which meant that I had to totally change my bet style for the day, and I opted to keep it simple with OHCM. Then press up and out from there if a hand developed.
I had the option of SR-2 or SR-6 position.
Since I was playing and shooting dark I opted for SR-6 even thought it’s my nemesis position which I can’t throw very well from.
They were breaking in a new dealer but she was experienced so no issues there.
It was your basic grind session. Not much to report. Up and down.
A couple of my Don’t Come bets didn’t travel because the dealer forgot. I keep an eye on my bets. Of course next roll after that was the seven. Both times they tried to take my DC and I had to remind them they didn’t push it to the box number. They paid me.
I don’t say anything of course up front in case the number repeats, at which I have argued the other way that they can’t take my bet because they didn’t move it when they first should have.
I know being a dealer is hard work. So in the end whatever the box says goes.
My only hand of they session was a 10 roll, shooting dark. Got one point and all inside numbers. Everyone was getting excited and always remarks dark side shooters are the best shooters. I still haven’t worked out why? If anyone knows let me know.
Was just making a nice come back after a few early losses and my time was up and I had to get back to work. Oh well.
$300 buy in
12ft half table
SR-2.5
3 players
3V set
Been another couple of weeks between craps games. So I was itching to play.
Showed up at 3pm to make sure that the table regulars had bled out and left from a 12pm opening time.
Sure enough they had all left. With one remaining and not many chips left to go.
Had a great session today where I was playing all sorts of plays, when the need arose.
Playing both dark side and right side.
Shoot It Alls One hit can’t miss play on others.
Don’t pass target 3 play including laying odds for me as well.
And a play which I don’t know the name of which I hope someone can tell me what it is. I’ll explain it below.
I set for 3V with three finger top edge grip. I aimed for the big 6 box today and my target landing zone hit rate was very good today.
When I bet for the dont’s only on my hands, I set the dice to the hit the seven after the come out and laid odds against it. That worked well aiming for the seven.
I played OHCM play on the other regular at SL-1 And I would always step back to give him all the room he needed. I’m a respectful player. And expect the same in return.
So here’s my play I was road retesting on only my hands after I’d warmed up.
And more recently from Marc (aka BoneThrower) on his youtube channel.
$10 DP
$66 inside working on the come out
Inside hit #1 – drop $1 and press all inside by one unit each (to 4 units each) [+$21]
Inside hit #2 – press all inside by one unit again (to 5 units each) [+$28]
Inside hit #3 – same bet and come down to $6 six and eight. [+$35]
This then becomes a OHCM play.
I then pressed out and up from there.
Of course if the seven comes I then moved through the DP 3 play sequence, which I’ve mentioned before.
I’m sort of liking this play so far. Ticks my boxes for comfort and risk vs returns. $66 of place numbers at risk for $84 in three rolls including the come out roll.
Just need to hit 3 numbers more than not hitting 3 numbers straight off the bat including the come out. Can I do this. My numbers tell me I can.
I’ll try this again next week and get more comfortable with it.
Interested in any feedback on this play, and if someone knows if it has a name please let me know.
Colour in $350 (+$50) in 1 1/2 hours.
For those that are interested here’s my rolls for yesterday session. (I had table to myself for parts, and just one other so lots of hands)
Well I finally after 10 week hiatus got back to the casino.
And wouldn’t you know it. The half table was full of regulars.
I have learned not to stick around and wait. So I sought out the $1 mini baccarat computer terminal.
Put in $300 and in short order after 20 mins cashed out at $405 just betting player using target 3 play system.
Went back to the craps game to find just 2 players left and SR-1 open, nice.
Waited for the hand to end and bought in for $400.
The table had apparently just finished off a couple of hot rolls. And the tide had turned. Which I now know is why the table had thinned out.
Anyway after not playing for so long I was itching to have my turn with the dice.
Well as far as sessions go. This was one of my worst as far as bet play goes.
1) my SRR ended up being 3.46
Out of 6 hands of 52 rolls. I had 15 sevens 9 of which were on the come out.
2) I tried to stupidly chase my losses on my last hand and did a $110 inside working on the come out. And then proceeded to throw 5 sevens in a row. Talk about shooting yourself in the face!
3) and it was death by a thousand cuts. Lots of small bets instead of backing myself.
If I had even just done $10 PL and $44 or $66 inside for 2 hits and down on each of my hands It would have been a sweet session even with the lowest SRR I’ve done yet.
So I now have to reset my clock and prepare for next week as I continue to ease myself back into the game.
Forgive me box man, for I have sinned. It’s been over 5 weeks since my last craps session at the casino. 😉
I only get such a small window of opportunity and when work and family get in the way then my hobby takes a back seat. I must admit I’m missing it.
I haven’t been idle though. I built a better practice rig including some rubber diamonds for the back wall and with a small add on piece, it can take a proper 8ft single dealer layout. I will add some pics of it soon.
This was very much needed to finally graduate from my cardboard box receiving station which I’ve been using for over a year.
I was going to build a full table with the help from Big Jeff who builds custom craps tables in the USA. He does make truly beautiful craps tables. He sent me 4 diamond rubber back pieces, and some routed chip rails to get me started.
Unfortunately even though I’m capable of the task. I don’t have…
A) space to build
B) the tools needed
C) a trailer or Ute or truck to get the materials back to my place
D) the time
So that left me with no choice but to order a cheap custom table from overseas (China) and get it shipped to me in Australia. That was 3 months ago and I still don’t have the table. That’s a whole topic for another day, which I won’t go into today.
My new practice receiving station which is 1.2m wide sits on a portable table and I still use my throwing station to get the right distance away from the back wall. I can then practice stick left or right or straight out.
The best part of the design is that I can add an extension onto it and use it as a half table with 8ft layout and use it with others to play some craps socially.
I have yet to introduce my friends to craps and was waiting for the full table to do so. However I could wait no more. We have a standing calendar booking for a Halloween Party each year where we invite neighbours and family friends. So I took advantage of that, and I got the half table setup on the deck and after dinner and a couple of drinks I opened my first ever floating craps game.
See a few photos below.
I explained the game quickly and gave each player $300. It was total chaos, but after 10 mins they were getting the hang of it. I struggled to keep track of everyone’s bets. And they were all farming the field and hitting the prop area. Of course just my luck as first time dealer and it was a horn dream run for 30 mins. So I was stumbling over horn and hardways payouts.
I explained the dark side being opposite of the right side. And the probability of 7s showing more than any other.
And you wouldn’t believe it, but I had 2 out of 6 players playing dark side. I was humbled by that, and I never even pushed them one way or another. They just worked it out on their own.
I even let the players place their own place bets and I was just making sure the bets were correct amounts and put them in the right position in the boxes so I could track players bets correctly.
It was a huge success and everyone was calling out numbers to hit and having a great time. The other neighbours around must have wondered what was going on.
Initially I didn’t bother getting out the $100 and $500 chips since I just figured everyone would crash and burn and that would be that.
But they were all doing great. And I had to break out the $100 and $500 chip stacks to keep the bank afloat.
The game would have kept going for hours. But after 1 1/2 hours I had to call it, since I needed a break.
I got them to colour up and was pleasantly surprised that 5 out of 6 had profit. Some had a lot. One had $25 left. He was not happy. The winner was around $1200 with second $1100. So it was a close race.
The winner was one of the dark side players. Which I was the most proud of. Who was also the only one really betting the place bets and using it like a cash register.
One thing I noticed being a dealer is not easy by a long shot. Especially a green solo dealer with no backup.
I can’t wait to get my full table. Then we’ll really get some social craps play happening.
This little gathering and the way they approached the table for the first time, and how each set their game plan, once they knew the basic rules, could easily make for a study in human behaviour. Being that I knew the players, watching them interact with each other and play gave me great insight into how parallel their play was with their personalities. I don’t see that sort of thing happening with other games at the casino. Just underlines what a great game craps is.
This question was asked over at Heavy’s Power Axis Craps forum recently. So I thought I would participate with my own. Feel free to share your story with me, and post a comment below.
My story is not as elaborate as how others found their way to become craps fans.
It was 1992 in Brisbane Australia and I’d just finished high school and turned 18. My family had no history or interest in gambling at all. They never went Casino or played pokies. Just lotto occasionally. However I was always keen to give it a go. I was a geek and a nerd, so enjoyed the maths of gambling.
At that time, we only had one casino available to me which was 1 hour drive away at Gold Coast called Jupiters Casino.
In Australia, 18 is the legal age to go to night clubs, pubs, etc and I remember driving down to Jupiters casino with 3 of my friends to try out the casino and night clubs on the Gold Coast strip.
We were all very green and it was an eye opening experience. There was also a night club that we enjoyed going to at the top level of the casino so we would gamble a bit and then hit the club for drinks and attempts to get with the ladies. I look back on those days fondly and can laugh at it now.
Over many Saturday night trips we played most games in the casino. None of them grabbed me at all, except for Craps.
In fact I liked it so much I can remember spending hours playing with just $50, no other game allowed me to do that.
Until recently I hadn’t played another casino game, that’s how much I enjoyed it.
After I grew out of the night club scene, I would visit the casino every couple of years and always come away even or with a small profit just from dark side don’t pass (DP) line bets. Never would I bet anything else.
In all those years not one other type of bet. How’s that for discipline (or stupidity)? 20 years of the same bet. I didn’t know it at the time but I was a dark side player. I just knew it was better to back the 7 based on the math and my limited in-game experience.
Finally one night in 2015, my wife and I took our close friends to the Brisbane Treasury Casino for a night out. My friend had never played craps before and after a short intro from me, was betting all over the prop bets and winning like crazy. I stuck with my base bet DP. End of the night he’s up over $500 and I’m up $20.
I was pissed off. After 20 years playing the game, and I get my ass whipped by my friend who’s never played before.
So after that fateful night, that’s when I started looking online for how to properly play and understand craps.
I am amazed and thankful that there is such a niche of knowledge around just this one game of dice.
Of course in no time, I found dicesetter.com and read through every article on there. What an awesome resource.
Which of course lead me to the various names in the Craps scene, including Heavy and all the others.
Since I’m in the web business I thought I’d track my progress with my new found hobby and I created a website/blog and podcast and my craps journey began.
I’m pleased to say this is the first hobby in my life that pays me to do it. And so far just 2 years in, and I’m only still just getting started with so much more to accomplish.
At last showed up and there was a spot at the craps table.
Player at SO and SL-1
I moved into SL-3 spot.
I have yet to see a really cold table but today was the day.
Those 2 guys were shocking with the dice.
I tried to get them to play dark side with me but they wouldn’t have it.
They kept putting up $22 inside or $32 across. Only to lose it all on PSO or PPSO
I was doing $10 DP and $6 six and eight.
So the casino was bleeding me dry at $2 a hand. Nice. I can do this all day long.
The dealers were commenting on it, how it’s a stupid bet. Proof says otherwise.
I would also do a $20 DP and $22 inside on my own until I have warmed up.
And box says it’s a crazy bet and the stick was complaining they don’t know what to call. To encourage the table, as I’m betting for and against myself.
The box is telling me to just bet DP and lay odds and then take a hard way to hedge if it’s an even number.
I guess he sees a lot of craps play and he is the most senior dealer. I will admit that he is an excellent dealer and knows the table and bets backwards. Which is why he is in the senior position.
I’d like to see him play though.
Some chump shows up and I make some room for him at SL-3 and he says he doesn’t need it and just wants to make one bet.
I don’t know what he’s talking about and he then proceeds to throw $50 on the table and call out “on the horn”. It’s a bet, I hear from the dealers. He’s not even standing at the table. It was over before it began. Never seen that before.
The other 2 players burned through their buyin in about 40 mins.
Finally on my own again and moved to SL-1
At last a spot I can shoot from with confidence.
I was having a hard time at SL-3 and was slowly grinding down.
At SL-1 though I had a much better time.
Shot a 28 hand and then a 14 hand and got my money back and more then it was time to go back to work.
I was getting in a zone, so I was upset to leave when I had the table all to myself and also leaving the dealers to stand around there looking at each other with nothing to do. I really hate that.
Another week, another full half craps table. I refuse to squeeze in, so 5 players per half on a 12 ft table is all they can take.
I learned that judging by player chips I can sort of tell if anyone is going to tank and leave the table. The trouble is the regulars (like me) come in on Friday afternoon and they have a bad habit of going to the ATM and getting more money. So they leave a couple of dollars in the rack and disappear for 5 mins, and come back with more.
So if the table is full then I give it up for the week and go and play some mini baccarat.
I’ve also given up on the live dealers for mini baccarat as on Friday afternoon the casino switches $10 min to $25 min, but I’m not up to that level yet.
This leaves me with the $1 mini baccarat computer game. Not as good, but ok. I refuse to play online casinos, for various reasons I won’t go into here.
For today played for an hour with $200 buy in and coloured in for $290.
I play the target 3 play system and have been quite impressed with it.
After 9 sessions (no losing sessions yet) $1,400 has become $1,832.50 which is 30.89% ROI
Which compared to my 1.79% ROI for Craps makes me think I’m playing the wrong game. But baccarat is as boring as watching paint dry and I’ll only play it when I have to.
Last week I did have a chance to play some Craps.
$200 buy in.
Half table right side.
Set for 3V
Lost some on the other regular random rollers. Then got the dice. And pulled out a nice 21 hand. Went in slow with just $6 six and eight and then went out and up from there.
