by CJ | Dec 20, 2019 | Casino Sessions, Podcast
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It’s been 12 months since I last played craps at the casino.
Wow how time flies.
Regular listeners will know that I promised myself I wouldn’t gamble at the casino until my house renovations were complete. However it’s Christmas time and work friends wanted to go to casino. So what can I do. Peer pressure got me there today.
I’ve never played roulette before. Never. And my work friends wanted to show me how. So what the heck, I’ll give it go.
Bought in $200 on a $5 table. And the dealer cut me out some blue colour chips. My friends were showing me to bet a street and 6 lines. I wanted to do $5 red and black with target 3 play method. But wouldn’t you know it. $25 min. What a rip. I did it a couple of times and lost $50 in 2 spins. If I wanted to waste my money I’d rather put $25 on the field on the craps table.
What I did find amusing was the hole in the table for the automated chip sorter. The lady dealer was scraping in all the chips at the end of each spin decision. Several players had joined us. And there were chips every where. I had no idea how the dealer was tracking the none coloured chips. At one point I was about to say to the dealer, you need a bigger hole, but caught myself at the last second.
Once I bled down to $100 I pulled the pin. I lasted awhile, but it’s as boring as watching grass grow. I find baccarat to be more stimulating and that’s saying something because I’m like a robot playing baccarat. In fact I can work on my laptop or phone and play the mini bac machines without missing a beat on either work or the game.
My friends lost their money at roulette as well. So it was now time to introduce them to craps. Which was my ultimate plan.
Grabbed my $100 chip from roulettte leftovers and they had just opened the craps table at 2pm. Both sides and all the old regular players from a year ago were there. Crazy. Two of the dealers remembered me. They should I guess I used to go every week. And I’m a courteous player and always nice to them.
Bought in for a further $200.
My friends joined me and we took SR1, SR2, SR3
With 2 virgin shooters on each side I thought my luck would be golden.
The table was very cold. No one could make a point. I noticed this and I shot from the dont’s both times I had the dice and set for the all sevens set. Why buck the trend. Lay double odds each time. Each time won.
On my last hand I wanted to back myself as I was getting my confidence back. I put $10 on the pass and point went to 6. I backed it with $25 odds. Alas five rolls later and 7 out.
For when my friends had the dice. I went $10 pass line. And my friend at SR1 went on the only decent hand of the session. 3 points made and going for his forth. About 17 rolls total. Made some money back on that hand. Was very happy for him.
My friend at SR3 was getting into it and she reached into her purse and before I could say no don’t do that, she throws money on the table mid roll just as the shooter at the other end of table got the dice. Hands in the bowel blocking the end wall, money now on the table stopping the shooter. The regulars were groaning. They could see she was new, the dealers knew she was new. But they appeared to be more upset with me for letting it happen.
Guess what the next roll was. You guessed it. 7 out. Way to make friends and influence people at the craps table. The regulars were not impressed.
It was very nice to introduce new players to craps. Super nice that the craps table is still there. And both sides open. A real treat.
One of my don’t bets didn’t get paid on a seven out. So I got the dealers attention and just motioned to my don’t bet that was still on the table. They paused for a second thinking about it. And just paid it. I was glad I didn’t have to get into It with them or the box.
I pulled the pin at -$180 after 1.5 hours. Slow cuts ground me out. Everyone was in the same boat. Now I normally have 50% stop loss limit which I stick to. This is the first time I went over it and I attribute that to having my friends there and not wanting to leave. I’m going to have to be aware of that more in the future.
The dealer tells me it’s been that way for 3 weeks. Ice cold. The streak is on. Should have stuck dark side. Oh well.
Now I have to tell everyone about the new casino being built in Brisbane. It’s called Queens Wharf. And it’s going to be huge. There are 8 cranes on site and I took a photo of the cranes.
The other thing I want to mention is a shout out to Coach Fav from “Casinos USA” podcast. His latest episode was thought provoking about gambling addiction in general and being aware of your feelings around gambling. I’m a recreational gambler and I just happen to love craps, it’s my hobby. So much so, I have a home table and play at home to relax and focus on something other than work and family. A bit of me time.
I’d also like to thank Coach Fav for mentioning another podcast called “You Can Bet on That” hosted by Mark and Dr Mike. So I’m now going to pass along the same recommendation to my listeners. If you like to follow my Craps Journey you’ll really get into their show. Now I have no idea why it took me so long to start listening to their show. But I think maybe I thought I wasn’t interested in games other than craps, and I didn’t know how much they talk about craps. But I’m actually enjoying learning about other casino games and gambling in general. Make sure you subscribe and listen to their back catalog of episodes, which has proven to be no mean feat since they are nearly up to 200 episodes. And it’s nearly at 180 hours of air time in total. Congratulations to them for reaching 200 episodes which they will hit in the next few weeks. But what I like best is they are die hard craps players and very experienced gamblers in general, they have a great rapport with each other and clearly are life long friends that both enjoy what they do.
Until next time. Hope you got a little something out of this episode. Enjoy your Craps Journey.
by CJ | Dec 16, 2018 | Casino Sessions, Podcast
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Casino : Treasury Brisbane
$400 buy in
12ft half table
SL-2
4 players
It was our work Christmas party and rather than just stand around and talk rubbish to each other I thought I’d bring out my A1 sized craps layout that I printed for just betting practice on the kitchen table. You can download a PDF of it from my website.
I have a set of dice and stash of old chips that I keep at work. So I quickly had 6 people now learning how to play craps. And several others looking on. I gave everyone $250 dollars and away we went.
It was a good session and they enjoyed it and started to see why I like it so much.
One guy turned $250 into $2050 playing don’t pass with a couple of ballsy all in moves and a $25 hard ten. Truely great to see.
Once that session was done, I packed my gear and escaped from our work Christmas party around 6pm and quickly got to casino 2 mins later. I’m very fortunate it’s only 200 meters away from where I work. Co-incidence, maybe. But I’ll take it for as long as I’m working there.
It’s been so long since I’ve played craps in the casino I’m surprised I knew where the table was.
Half table was open as per usual. And it was packed with 6 players. Looking at the chip racks which were mixed I knew I’d get a spot soon and the regulars had had their fun and gone.
I headed back to work to pickup my bag. And collect some colleagues that said they were keen to hit the craps table with me.
They had settled into drinking the night away. So I grabbed only one who was keen and left the party. Unfortunately he was already drunk and in no condition to gamble. I should have put him in a taxi and sent him home.
Now you aren’t allowed to take back packs into the casino but women can take in large handbags. I consider that an absolute joke. And total discrimination. But if you want to gamble it’s the house rules are the house rules.
So I had to put our back packs into the lockers for $5 each. I don’t mind the $5 and it’s actually one of the safest locker offerings in the city. With several cameras monitoring the area and all the security guards on the payroll.
On returning to the table there were only 4 players now and I slipped in at SL-2. I stuck my drunk work friend in the hook near the dealer out of the way. He had no idea what was going on, but was just happy to watch the theatre of the game.
It’s been a long time in between casino sessions for me. Nearly 4 months. But I wasn’t nervous at all. I used to get very nervous to the point where I would have trouble throwing. I guess that’s a good thing. And showing my increased time at playing the game is starting to overcome any of the nerves.
I started off playing my hybrid play of target 3 play on the pass line and don’t pass (not at same time) and $66 inside WOTCO with $22 inside pressing twice to $110 inside. Then same bet and regress to $22 inside and it’s press and collect from there. So I effectively play 2 seperate games at the same time.
My toss was a bit ordinary but it just felt so good to be back in the action of the game again that I really didn’t care. I was just focusing on hitting the same landing spot and keeping the dice low and slow and trying not to let them split apart to much.
I had one hand with 5 come out rolls before getting on a point.
I still don’t know how to take advantage of the come out game. I need to learn about world or whirl bet. Which I think is made up of the horn and any seven, but I haven’t practiced it and learnt the payouts so have no frame of reference for it… Yet. Anyone got some pointers for me to try?
Here’s my 5 hands
6,2,5,5,6H
11,7,8,6,10,3,9,9,7
9,9
9,4,5,9
9,5,4,7
6,7
3,2,12,7
3,9,8,11,7
7,8,7
On other shooters I just stuck to my target 3 play and $6 six and eight. You never know when someone will catch a good hand.
Unfortunately I personally had a couple of short PSO hands that made my bankroll suffer. And I didn’t want to stick around longer to dig my way out. So pulled up stumps (cricket reference to finishing the game)
Colour in $251 (-$149) in 1 hour.
I was surprised to note this was my exact colour in amount for my last casino session #47 back in Aug 18.
Fortunately for me my Baccarat results are more profitable than my Craps results.
by CJ | Aug 10, 2018 | Casino Sessions, Podcast
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$300 buy in
12ft full table
SL-3.5 (hook)
12 players
I promised myself I’d get to play Craps this week after 3 months off. And play Craps I did. For the grand total of 30mins.
I couldn’t escape from work at 2pm as I’d hoped to see the table get opened. But as I suspected I was getting pestered by folks that can’t seem to do their own jobs, so expect me to assist them with constant hand holding. That’s a gripe for another day.
Anyway I ended up showing up at the casino at 3:55pm and was shocked to see a full table in use with the only available spot in SL-3.5 in the hook. I really detest this spot since it is not only hard to shoot from for me, but I can’t bet my DP cleanly because there is no clear DP box in front of me. I have to put my DP chips in front of someone else. It annoys me and them. Not everyone likes or understands don’t players.
I looked around the table and while I don’t know their names, I have seen them all many times before. Everyone was a regular.
So with the reduction in hours of the table i mentioned in my last post, it’s effectively squeezed the regulars into a smaller window of opportunity.
At least with a table in full swing throughout its open times, the management may not close it permanently.
I’ve never seen a table run so slow. With so many regulars it seemed like everyone (except me) had prop action. The middle looked like a Christmas tree with the baubles on it. Talk about a time suck.
The dice started in the turn near the SR dealer and after a few slow roles, I knew I wouldn’t get the dice today.
I started with my modified Target 3 play on flat bets PL and DP (not at the same time, I’ve discussed this play before) and did some very conservative place bet action of $6 on the six and eight and spread out to the five and nine from there as they hit. Aka one hit can’t miss style.
A wife of a regular was the final shooter for me. And literally you needed to have safety glasses on, for fear of a stray dice hitting you in the eye. I was standing 2ft off the rail and was still concerned for my safety.
She was dangerous with just the force of throw. I had a $10 DP on her and just had to lay $40 on it for odds when the point went to the 10. After a few rolls she hit the ten hard. Sigh. Reminded me of $5bill trip reports.
I made some money back off her on my place bets but I just didn’t have the time to recover in total.
Had to rush back to work. Will try again next Friday. And get back into the weekly craps groove.
Now as a side comment I went to collect my ticket for the special $1millon prize draw the casino is having in August and would you believe it, Craps doesn’t qualify for it. I was upset about that. So they are forcing people to play any other game or electronic machine. But not Craps. That’s a tell tale sign of how much they rate Craps players. Very sad.
Colour in $251 (-$49) in 30 mins.
by CJ | Aug 8, 2018 | Baccarat, Casino Sessions, Podcast
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Well it’s been ages since I’ve got to the craps table. 3 months approximately. I’m getting withdrawal symptoms for sure.
The biggest issue is that my local casino has reduced the craps table hours yet again.
No more craps at lunch time on Friday for me. The table doesn’t open until 2pm now. Which makes it really hard for me to get to the casino during the mid afternoon. They have also closed Sunday totally. So it’s only Friday night and Saturday night now.
I’ve had to console myself with playing baccarat instead. Not much consolation if you ask me. But it’s better than nothing.
What’s a first for me is to participate in a major casino competition. My local casino is having a huge $1million prize draw for August. When you play through the week you get a ticket to go in the weekly draw. I’ve never been the type to go for this sort of marketing competition. But since I’m playing at the casino weekly I figured why not.
I play baccarat and get my ticket each week and go in the draw. Then I go there on Sunday night for the draw and play some more baccarat.
Quick in and out round trip from the house and back again in 1 1/4 hours. How’s that for efficient casino hit and run.
Of course I have had my down swings were I had to leave the casino on at a stage in my negative progression that I would not normally stop at. But I just abort and pick up again from scratch not from where I was up to in the sequence.
I don’t like being at the casino on Sunday evening there are to many people. And I hate sitting next to someone on a row of machines.
Usually when I go the place is next to empty and I can have my pick of any machine I like.
My wife will only go when it’s quiet as well.
Overall I’m still pulling 26% return out of baccarat. I’m aiming to ratchet that up as my bankroll increases. But steady as she goes for now. Don’t want to get greedy. That’s the kiss of death. It doesn’t take much to go backwards and ruin at the good that has accumulated.
Can’t wait to get back to craps again. This Friday I’ll be there at 2pm to watch them open the table. And see just how awful my toss has become.
My home craps table is still in pieces. I’ve spent the last 2 weekends rebuilding it in readiness to join it back together again and make it fully robust and portable at the same time.
Here’s a picture of my home table end rails under some heavy glue action with clamps.
by CJ | Mar 24, 2018 | Casino Sessions, Podcast
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Casino : Treasury Brisbane
$150 buy in
12ft half table
SR-6
6 players
3V set
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.
Colour in $123 (-$27) in 45 mins.
by CJ | Feb 3, 2018 | Casino Sessions, Podcast
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$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.
Got the idea for this initially from MP (Mad Professor) – “Regression avoids Depression” series of articles on dicesetter.com http://www.dicesetter.com/mp/dmad140regression.htm
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)
6, 9, 8, 8, 6
7, 6, 6
12, 7, 5, 7
6, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
11, 6, 9, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
6, 4, 10, 8, 12, 6
10, 7
3, 7, 9, 10, 8, 7
5, 9, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
9, 11, 12, 10, 10, 10, 10, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
6, 11, 10, 12, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
8, 4, 5, 11, 6, 2, 9, 2, 5, 10, 9, 9, 7
10, 5, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
10, 8, 7 (dark shooting for 7)
5, 9, 6, 2, 4, 5
11, 5, 4, 7
6, 9, 8, 6
4, 8, 4
6, 11, 4, 6
5, 8, 12, 8, 4, 7
Take out the dark shooting for the seven hands, and if I’m not setting to get the 7, then it’s looking not to bad.
