OK….so just got the word that I am going to Biloxi the weekend of the 15th. I want to start adding some craps to my normal play (poker mainly, Pai Gow and some VP). Ive read WOO and watched his videos ( Angela…wow!), and now Im coming to the experts here to help me develop a good newcomer’s dice strategy. I have played a TINY bit of craps before, but always with a SUPERnewbie “minbet pass line / little bit of odds /pick up any and all winnings” gameplan.

I want to learn how and when to press some bets, place some numbers, etc so I can really enjoy the game. Im not opposed to darkside betting, but ive only tried it on a simulator and lost quickly every time.

If it matters, I am on a tiny bankroll compared to a lot of folks here, so I will definitely be looking for $5 tables.

As a baseline strat Im thinking something like $5 pass line, odds after a point, and $6 on the 6 and the 8. Is this a good place to start? If I get on a winning roll, when should I press, and how much? Im open to any and all ideas, and I greatly appreciate any of you taking the time to help me out with this.

 

You've got a pretty good strategy already got a newbie and/or low roller. I usually press my place bets after they have hit once by telling the dealer "up a unit" where they will up it by $6 (6 or 8)or $5 (4,5,9,10) and give you the rest in change. If you're not taking max odds to start off maybe instead of pressing a place bet you add another $5 or so to your odds especially if you're at a place that has 10x or higher odds.

If I'm going to slow roll and not get too aggressive I like to take a pass line bet and then place the number opposite of the point, like place 5 of the point is 9.

 

THANKS! I will try this...upping my odds instead of pressing up the place bet. Also like this opposite number idea too. Last time i played I was surprised at how quickly i wanted to have more numbers working, but my inner poker player wouldnt let me start flinging out chips with no plan...

 

Another thing to think when pressing. Press with winnings, not your bank roll. Hit a point, now place a number. If it hits, consider picking that up, then if it hits again either press or place another number so you have three in action. If its a good roll on the table you'll at least make some money instead of sitting there watching all those numbers hit but the point. You'll also not be putting your small bank roll at risk.

It also doesn't matter the size of your bankroll, just play to the size and what you are comfortable with. I always try to have 50x my bet x max odds for a guide to keep my bets in line. Its done me well until I went tilt and had too many cocktails.

So as a $5 better with 3x4x5 odds, I would go with 30 x 50 or $1500. Thats assuming full odds (which pays the best but can eat a small bank roll up in short order)

 

Indeed...i didnt mention this in my OP, but i had planned on only pressing with winnings...I appreciate you laying out the mechanics of it for me. I was not thinking about picking up the first win, but I should in order to only be pressing with winnings. I will absolutely do this.

Thanks also for the bankroll advice...i am probably only going to break off a little piece for dice this time, so I wont be able to fade a ton of variance. I'm doing that with my eyes open, though, knowing that i will have to get lucky to make any money. I mainly want to get comfortable spreading some bets around and want to make sure i can follow the action. With my current micro-roll im very happy with small wins. I mainly want to have a good time, have a few drinks and not think too much about work...if i wind up winning enough to pay for dinner from a game im just learning thats a good day!

 

Although those bet amounts are a bit steep, that is my basic strategy as well. Pressing is the key to the whole thing and where Lady Luck enters. I will even push out to the 4 and 10 if the table is hot, but I keep those presses to the low side. After you get used to it, you can mess with hardways. Don't forget to make some two way/hard ways for the dealer's if you're ahead.
There are some extremely exotic ways of playing that people clean up on. They are just as likely to lose it all on one roll.
I would highly recommend staying somewhat sober and just pay attention to what is going on.

 

No matter what your bank roll size, only keep in action what you are comfortable with and only take what you can lose and not be impacted. Everyone has their own tolerance be it $10, or $6000 a roll. You can double or triple your buy in fast, and you can lose it just as fast. I personally find that craps is one of the hardest games to manage your bankroll or rather the most challenging to do it if you start getting excited and don't pay attention to the cold streaks.

 

Thanks for the advice...it seems to me too that pressing from wins is the key to building a stack at craps and starting to learn that is my main goal for this trip...

 

I think you have a good base. I would let 6 and 8 hit once, then full press. After that I go up a little slower. I tend to be $12 6&8 to 24, 36, 48, 60, 90, 120, 180, 220. $220 is as high as I ever got. Took one straight pay with out a press and the 7 came 2 rolls later.