Ask the Wizard #288

I just wrote the first Ask the Wizard column since July 8.

Before I announce it on the Odds site, I would appreciate any feedback, such as corrections or suggestions. Please don't make general comments about the last two topics, as those were extensively discussed already here (see the links in the column).

Thanks in advance.

Looks like you missed a "the" in "Hustling House" I think?

So far so good; this sentence, though:

This assumes the player may lay 6x odds, regardless of the point (which is the case when 3x-4x-5x odds are allowed taking the odds).

Did you maybe mean "this is not the case...."?

Quote: beachbumbabs

So far so good; this sentence, though:

This assumes the player may lay 6x odds, regardless of the point (which is the case when 3x-4x-5x odds are allowed taking the odds).

Did you maybe mean "this is not the case...."?

Isn't that right? You're on the Don't, so laying 6 would get you 3, 4, or 5 back depending on the point.

Quote: beachbumbabs

So far so good; this sentence, though:

This assumes the player may lay 6x odds, regardless of the point (which is the case when 3x-4x-5x odds are allowed taking the odds).

Did you maybe mean "this is not the case...."?

No, I meant what I wrote.

You asked if anyone had something that ran onto infinity.

How about betting system salesmen

Quote: Wizard

Quote: beachbumbabs

So far so good; this sentence, though:

This assumes the player may lay 6x odds, regardless of the point (which is the case when 3x-4x-5x odds are allowed taking the odds).

Did you maybe mean "this is not the case...."?

No, I meant what I wrote.

OK, thanks. That means I didn't understand what you wrote. Not unusual. I'll try reading it again. :)

Quote: beachbumbabs

OK, thanks. That means I didn't understand what you wrote. Not unusual. I'll try reading it again. :)

As usual, I assume the reader has knowledge of the fine points of the rules he probably doesn't have. My proofreader, who knows nothing about casino gambling, has a terrible time understanding what I'm talking about.

So, in craps the standard limits you bet bet on the odds is 3x on a point of 4 or 10, 4x on 5 or 9, and 5x on 6 or 8. If you are laying the odds, then these same multiples are the maximum you can WIN. Conveniently, it works out to betting 6x after any point. Thing about it:

Point of 4 or 10: 6*(1/2) = 3
Point of 5 or 9: 6*(2/3) = 4
point of 6 or 8: 6*(5/6) = 5

See the 3-4-5?

I'm sure I just made it more confusing.

Quote: Wizard

As usual, I assume the reader has knowledge of the fine points of the rules he probably doesn't have. My proofreader, who knows nothing about casino gambling, has a terrible time understanding what I'm talking about.

So, in craps the standard limits you bet bet on the odds is 3x on a point of 4 or 10, 4x on 5 or 9, and 5x on 6 or 8. If you are laying the odds, then these same multiples are the maximum you can WIN. Conveniently, it works out to betting 6x after any point. Thing about it:

Point of 4 or 10: 6*(1/2) = 3
Point of 5 or 9: 6*(2/3) = 4
point of 6 or 8: 6*(5/6) = 5

See the 3-4-5?

I'm sure I just made it more confusing.

Nope. You completely cleared it up. I had a brain freeze and took the non-craps-player meaning of "lay" when I first read it. As in, Lay your money on the felt, don't hand it to the dealer. It's kind of a beautiful thing that 6x does it (lay) for all numbers.