A couple of quick, general questions

I haven't played craps for 15 years, but always loved it. A casino visit is usually my wife playing slots, and me reading with a drink in hand in the bar. I just can't get excited over slots, BJ seems like trying to party in a library, and simply like nothing else. When I was young though, losing at craps was fun!!! I couldn't continue though, and could never justify risking enough to even manage to stay at a table long so I skipped it.

Wife and I will be in Tunica this coming weekend though, but after 15 years I'm nervous I can even keep up even though I never did anything complicated. Usually just pass line with max odd, continuous come bets with max odds, and if doing well I'd just put more on the come and still max odds. Simple newb play.

So, the questions. First, I am returning to the table but will be starting with a pretty light bankroll of $800, at least considering it's 100x odds on a $5 table. I obviously can't play max odds :( Unless I want to be out in two rolls anyway. NOT looking for a "How to win big" at craps, but curious for any input on how to spread out that $800 at least initially? Keep odds down to 10x initially, only keep a come bet and some odds on a couple extra numbers? I'm going in with the full expectation of losing, but I'd like some time at the table yelling!!!

Second question.. My wife has never played and likely won't. However, IF the table isn't full and it's NOT preventing another from playing is it at all frowned upon if she plays and sticks only with the $5 min. on pass just to be involved? Two co-workers meeting us as well, but it will be mid-afternoon so maybe the table will be open.

Frowned upon? Hardly.

On the contrary, virgin shooters, particularly women, are desired at the table. Doesn't matter that she is min betting.



Regarding your own action? I'd suggest pass and only a couple come bets. And max odds? Nope, not at 100x!

100x is nice in that if you're doing well, you can increase your odds without bothering to increase the flat bet.

Thanks! And yes, I worded that badly. NO way can I play max odds, and that was my dilemma. When it's 3/4/5 it leaves little to decide. I don't want to chase those 100x max odds, but also don't want to ignore the odds. So, pass and a couple come bets, maybe odds up to 5x or so but increase my odds or additional come bets if doing well.

LOL, I read so many on "how to win" while mine is "how to stretch this out" while still trying to take advantage of those odds.

Generally with a session bank roll, you want to limit 10% of bank roll to each shooter. In this way you will last for 10 shooters or until a hot one comes along and you can ramp things up.
You stated that you have a session roll of $800 so $80 per shooter. You would like a PL bet with odds and two come bets with odds (3 point Molly). I would do $5PL with $25 odds, two $5 come with $20 odds. This would get you going for a while. Note that this is 5x and 4x odds. Once you have won some of these bets then you can start ramping up your odds.
As for your wife, I suggest either 2 points with 2x odds (5/10) or PL with 2x and placing the 6/8 for $6 each

Thanks all! Stayed there last night instead of tonight as originally planned. Started with $5 on pass and would add two come bets. Was easier while I tried to keep up after so many years so stuck with $30 odds on all three. Worked my way up to $50 odds and adding a 3rd come bet. Was up and down and had a blast. I was at the table for 5 hours. So, the first goal of hanging in there well enough to just have fun was met!! However, I also walked away with an extra $250 in my pocket :) Now to convince my wife we should make a trip to Biloxi now and then since it's only a couple hours from home!

You are lucky to be so close to Biloxi. Mississippi has some of the best crap conditions around--especially for place bets. Glad you had fun and won. Wish you good luck at tables in future.

Quote: ScooterV

My wife has never played and likely won't. However, IF the table isn't full and it's NOT preventing another from playing is it at all frowned upon if she plays and sticks only with the $5 min. on pass just to be involved?

How did this part of it go?

Just my 2 cents about your wife playing 5$

Even if there is only 1 spot she should totally play. The minimum is 5$, she's playing not just lurking. If the casino doesn't want her there they should raise the minimum. As for other players well some will always grumble, whatever you do. So just ignore them.

Hope you guys had a good time.

Quote: odiousgambit

How did this part of it go?

I kept trying but my wife was too scared. I kept telling her she could keep it simple and tried again each time she came back to the table for more money. I DID take a quick bathroom break and they were fine with her playing for me for a few minutes. I intended then to have her just play min. on the passline but one of the dealers I chatted with the most had rotated to the box and offered to direct her and asked if she should just continue what I was doing so they just told her what to put where. I was only gone a few minutes but when back both dealers laughed and said "She is REALLY glad you're back". She looked pretty shook up, lmao.

I'll have to show her a little with web based free game before the next opportunity.

The dealers also helped me a bunch as I slowly got slower as the free drinks started to settle in and remind me of what I meant to do. Had to go with a verbal a few times as well when fighting some stuck together chips.

I got my wife to play for the first time by having her next to me and I would physically place her bet for her (from her chip stack or yours if the table allows it). Just a PL and single odds. That's how everything starts.

Quote: ScooterV

I'll have to show her a little with web based free game before the next opportunity.

Sometimes it is better to show her with real dice and a little setup. I built a little box with felt and backwall, got a craps kit on amazon and showed her how to play. She liked it because she could shoot the dice and retrieve the dice with the stick, taught her the funny stickman calls and stuff.

The week after she was playing on her phone and asking questions, still haven't convinced her to play at the table so maybe it's not that great of a great trick ;) , at least now she understands what I am talking about when she asks how I did .

If you want to spend some time at the table, re-familiarizing yourself to the game, I'd suggest betting the pass line minimum, with only 1 or 2X odds to start. Then place bet the 6 & 8 for the minimum as well, pressing every other time each one hits, individually. Also, only raising the bet-size of your odds...until you can kind of get an idea of whether the game is blowing cold or hot. Betting max odds without a bit of reconnoitering is like throwing a paper sack of money under a parked car and hoping it's still parked when you return in 1/2 an hour. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying you can't book a winner with $5 & $500 on the 'line out of the gate, but I's recommend a more conservative approach, initially. If you do find yourself in the midst of a monster hand, you can always change your style in the blink of an eye.

Quote: ScooterV

I kept trying but my wife was too scared.

I've had the same problem. She said she about freaked about the scrutiny she was getting from casino employees just walking up to the table to say 'hi' once, like there was concern she would grab some chips or something. Had to be her imagination, so imagine getting past that for starters!

>Is it frowned upon ...
One thing to always bear in mind is that it is YOUR money that you are risking in a negative expectation game.
So if someone wants to frown.... let them. Its your money. You choose how to risk it. Its supposed to be fun for you.
That doesn't mean that you should be rude by uttering the word 'seven', but you can still bet on 'Big Red' despite its sixteen something percent house edge. I would frown on consistently betting Big Red but what do you care if I frown at you? Particularly if you happen to be winning.

Sure total beginners are best accommodated in the 'free lesson' sessions and at the tables afterward, but beginners are welcome anytime (or atleast their money is) and the crew will make accommodations and explanations if they are able to. Saturday night is usually hectic, Sunday morning usually slow.

One thing to bear in mind is that many players are 'grinders': they do pass line and 2x odds all night long.
800 at a five dollar table is fine to give you a reasonable chance of avoiding gamblers ruin. You could play for four hours and have a 90 percent chance of avoiding gambler's ruin. Now all that really means is that you are giving yourself a "fair shot" rather than trying to walk up to a table with only twenty dollars in your bankroll, the way I do.

You will see many posts on this forum that start out reminding you of the basic premise: this gambling stuff is supposed to be FUN for YOU, don't worry that much about others frowning at you, if you are having fun.