Craps Newsletter – March 2004
March 2004
WHERE IS THE “OLD LAS VEGAS”?
With Binion’s Horseshoe now closed it is interesting to reflect on this question.
Certainly the old 100X posted table odds will be missed along with the hard drinking
seasoned dealers, the famous bar next to the pit, the $1 million display and all
the mystery surrounding Ted Binion’s murder. For the funk and trivia of old Las
Vegas, we recommend a visit to the following casinos, some of which are already
destined to be blown up or taken over by new ownership. The Plaza, The El Cortez,
The (New) Frontier, and The Tropicana (which features The Las Vegas Hall of Fame
exhibit). For serious craps players, we still recommend The Main Street Station
downtown (20X Odds) and the funky Golden Gate (which features the kick-back hoffbrau
and piano bar). Say hello to CURLY at the Main Bar.
VENETIAN HIT WITH MILLION DOLLAR FINE
A three-year scheme involving four former employees and executives of The Venetian
hotel-casino who had rigged several promotional contests involving specific Asian
high-rollers was resolved decisively last week. The resort agreed to pay $1 million
in fines and investigation costs to state regulators. Once the scam was discovered,
The Venetian employees involved were immediately suspended and then terminated without
severance. Interesting to note that The Venetian is NOT rated highly on NextShooter.com’s
list of recommended places to play craps.
CRAPS VS. BACCARAT… AN INTERESTING PARADOX
It is interesting to note that the House Advantage in baccarat ranges from 1.01%
to 1.06% on the BANK bet depending on how many decks are used in dealing this game.
Yet we at NextShooter.com have proven mathematically that CRAPS can offer much LESS
House Advantage for players who who are rigid in their selection of a casino of
choice. This makes the WHALES who play Baccarat look a little silly, not to mention
the casinos who have built MONSTER baccarat pits many of which are now defunct or
dormant. Can anyone tell us why it is that baccarat players are so regimented at
tracking results on scorecards and craps players are not? While “tracking” results
might seem a little silly to some, at least it is a sign of a serious gamer.
“SAME DICE”… A SURE SIGN OF WEAKNESS
Shooters who constantly request “Same Dice” show a sure sign of weakness as that
is the most obvious sign that their basis and method of play is based on SUPERSTITION
and not on KNOWLEDGE. Chances are that these players are placing STUPID bets all
over the table or in fact are just playing in the WRONG casino in the first place.
Requesting “Same Dice” is also something that just pisses the dealers and the boxman
off as it requires a delay in the game. It is also upsetting to the other players
who may have SERIOUS MONEY on the table and who are anxiously awaiting for a result
of the dice. The worst “Same Dice” shooters are the ones who slam the dice against
the back wall or loft them up into the damn stratosphere and consequently CAN’T
make them LAND on the table in the first place. Fortunately most of these BOZOS
get what they deserve in the long run.
If you would like to know how PLAYER ETIQUETTE can effect your comps and WINNING
percentages see our article on Craps Etiquette.
CRAPS QUIZ
Here is the answer to the February 2004 vote/quiz:
You are standing next to one of the dealers and making Place Bets. Which is correct?
Place Bet wins will be paid to you FIRST. Place Bet wins will be paid to you LAST.
Congratulations… about 70% of those responding were correct answering Place Bet
wins will be paid to you LAST. As a player you need to understand your POSITION
on the table in order to keep track of your bets and to instruct the dealer on adjusting
your bets. Player positions are numbered 1 through 8 around the table from the STICKMAN
to the BASE DEALER(S). That is the way that payoffs are made as a matter of PROCEDURE.
The closer you are to the BASE DEALER and the farther you are from the STICKMAN,
the longer you should wait to INSTRUCT the dealer to PRESS or TAKE DOWN your bets
OR to just GET PAID.
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March 2004 Quiz:
You are on the pass line and you have a point number which has already rolled.
You are on a 2X Odds Table and have TAKEN maximum odds on your pass line bet.
Which is correct?
You can add another wager by PLACE BETTING the SAME point number up to the table
LIMIT.
You can not make a Place Bet because you already have a Pass Line bet on that number.
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