www.ARCHURE.net
READ & LEARN THIS PAGE: and You will be an Expert

DON'T GAMBLE, or if you do, stay even with Probability and Statistics. Play bets which are near 50/50 in probability, such as Roulette: Red or Black or Odd or Even, and even the inside bets are at least fair (not to be confused with the upright Wheel of Fortune), or Craps Pass Line or Don't Pass Line (both nearly 50/50 in probability, I don't take odds for a number of reasons (Pass: your best chance is on the first roll, etc, etc), and the other bets on the table are less in probability). Always have at least 5 back up bets, don't put everything on one bet. Be advised that Black Jack or 21 is a 60/40 game (only 40% in your favor, strain your brain and it still takes its toll). Statistics tend to even out to their natural probability in the long run (as per an earlier version of "Schaums Outlines on Probability on Statistics" (Schaums Outlines are sold in most University Bookstores), it pointed out (in the older version) that if you flip a coin 4 times, it might even come out heads, heads, heads, heads, but after 50 to 100 flips, it will be more like 50/50, the natural probability, so give yourself a 5 or 6 bet back up, and do set a limit in case you have a bad streak, bet no more than 10 bets, my limit is typically 5 or 6 bets).
Take a chance, but don't gamble away your house & life savings to impress everyone with "what a good sport" you are (they make a living, don't feel sorry for them). Save some money for shows & tips

WHY PLAY CRAPS?: Better chance of winning and easier than Black Jack (see below, "HOUSE EDGE")

How to Play Craps (scroll down one third of the page)

ROULETTE is easier to learn, and even the long shots play back proportionally fair, if they happen, which they rarely do. However, don't double up if you don't win, I have seen it go: red, red, red, red, red, red, red, red, red many times before (a statistical near impossibility, but it is quite common)

CRAPS is more complex, and SOME of the other bets are way out of proportion 35% player / 65% house on some bets (a 15% advantage for the casino), but the Pass Line and Don't Pass are your Best chance. There are tables everywhere, but you must be sharp, know what you are doing, be alert at all times. I advise NOT "taking odds" (after the initial roll in craps, if a "point" is established (if the first roll was 4,5,6,8,9,10) you may then "back up" your bet, which increases your percentage of win money, however, it only increases it a fraction, and this bet makes you bet large sums of money, and if you lose, you reach your "limit" quicker, and they have your money, I DON'T TAKE ODDS, I DON'T BACK UP MY BET. Many times High Rollers have mocked me for my me for my simple method, but in 20 minutes, they and their fancy complex bets and big money ($1,000) are all gone, they cant understand what went wrong? and leave, while I am struggling, 2 bets under.

MY METHOD: (CRAPS OR ROULETTE)
Caps Pass Line or Don't Pass Line bets
49% player / 51% house

Roulettes: Red, Black, Odd, Even bets
47% player / 53 house

Typically, at craps, I see perhaps 3 wins in a row, or 3 losses in a row, then it reverses, this is not a 100% guaranty, but its quite typical.

If you start out with 5 bets, and you lose 3 (or 4) in a row, it will probably turn around and go back up, if not all the way back up, at least one or two bets, wait till you recoup (at least part way, if it got real bad), then pull out; but if you start out and win 3 in a row, you might want to consider pulling out ahead.

TIP ON STATISTICS: (VERY IMPORTANT) "Statistics may vary at first, but even out in the end" -Schaums Outlines on Statistics (older printing) by McGraw Hill (sold at many colleges and Borders bookstores).

Thus, if you are playing a 50/50 bet (heads & tails are 50/50) or near 50/50 (craps is 49/51, only a 1% casino advantage), you may win or lose several at first, but will probably even out in the Long Run.

Thus if you were to play Black Jack (21) with 39% player / 61% house, you could win, or lose, but eventually would end up with around 78% (2X 39%) of your money invested. Thus if you started with $100 you would end up with around $78. If you continued even further with that $78, you would end up with 78% of $78 or $61. If you continued even further with that $61, you would end up with 78% of $61 or $47 (this is, if you keep your wits up, and
make the right decisions, oh yea, sometimes someone actually wins, but that is rare, most Blackjack winners are actually Liars or "Schills" (casino workers dressed as players, playing $20,000 of casino allotted money to attract attention, if no one is close by, the dealer with give him more stacks, regardless of the cards, so it appears like he is winning, then everyone says "wow" when they come back to look again).

If you play CRAPS Pass Line and Don't Pass Lines ONLY (49% player / 51% house), starting with $100 and betting the same amount each time (don't take odds, and don't play any other bets); then you will end up with 98% (2X 49%) of $100 equals $98. If you continue, then you will end up with 98% of $98 or $96, and if you continue all night, 98% of $96 is $94.

Of course, statistics are not always perfect, things may vary, but for the most part, they even out in the end. So if you play Craps Pass Line or Don't Pass (49/51) or even Roulettes: Red, Black, Odd, Even (47/53) then you will not lose as much. You may not gain a fortune, but you can have fun, and PULL OUT AHEAD. (If you want to get Risky and maybe win big, you can bet a Roulette NUMBER, they rarely pay off, but when they do, it is a large pay off, and Proportional to the Frequency (minus the 3% house edge, perhaps the best Long Shot Risk you can get). But don't play high stakes.

LIMIT: 5 BETS at the minimum bet
Statistically, with a 5 bet minimum.....
1 in 8 trips to the table, you will lose all 5
1 in 8 trips to the table, you will win 5 bets
6 in 8 trips to the table, you will be midway
3/4 of the time, most of the time, you are somewhere in the midway zone, it gets boring, but its safe. Wait until you are at your highest, and pull out.


HOUSE EDGE:
ADVICE: DON'T PLAY ANY BET WITH OVER A 3% HOUSE EDGE

Craps: Pass Line or Don't Pass Line (49% player, 51% house, a 1% house edge). A Safe Bet

HOUSE EDGE: (not safe)

Craps "Hardways" (9% & 11%)
Craps "Big 6" or "Big 8" (9%)
"Place" bets (1.5% on 6&8, 4% on 5&9, 7% on 4&10)
only a 6 or 8 "Place bet" is a good percentage, but you have to play larger sums of money, and are restricted to only the 6&8

"taking odds" (your edge advantage, but a fractional negligible edge, you must spend way more volume of money, and if you lose, they got your money, don't "take odds", don't "back up your bet")

Roulette: all bets are 3% house edge (a safe bet)

Avoid Blackjack (39% player, 61% house, a 11% house edge at best), you go bust, dealer busts but still collects)

Slots pay 15% typically (15% player, 85% house, a 35% house edge) some of that 35% goes to a rare Jackpot (a Lottery pays better). EXPERIMENT: Put $1 in a Nickel Slot, that gives you 20 plays, press the play button 20 times, then count how many nickels you have left, only 3, most people just play those out. Only one in every 1,000 of my cab customers brag of having won $1,000 at slots, I used to get one every month (and around 1,000 passengers per month), but as of Jan 22, 2001, I have not had any winners in 6 months (except one $250 winner). EXPERIMENT: stand and look at the people playing slots, pushing buttons, bells ringing, lights flashing; next, go to the Kids Arcade and play an Arcade Game, push buttons, bells ringing, lights flashing, but better quality, more fun. Your not going to win at slots, may as well have fun. Some of the Best Arcades are GAMEWORKS (next to MGM), NY NY, and LUXOR. Go have fun.



HOW TO PLAY CRAPS:

Find a Craps Table, find the little sign along the inside rim stating the Minimum and Maximum allowable bets (typically $5 Min to $$2,000 Max, if you cant see the sign, ask the table staff). "Buy In" 5 bets worth (you don't want to risk it all on one bet, it could go either way, that is luck, you want to rely on brains, not just luck). If it is $5 Min per bet, get out $25 cash, hold it in your hand so the dealer can see you have the money, and when it is OK to do so, the Dealer (standing staff member) will nod or ask if you want chips, PLACE THE MONEY ON THE TABLE (not in his hand, its the rules, he will hand it to the Box Man (sitting), who will inspect & OK the money), and ask for $5 chips only (other wise they could give you a $25 chip, or 3 $5 chips and 10 $1 chips, in order to encourage you to bet just one bet (their advantage) or "take odds" (which you don't want to do, I will cover that latter), so ask for "$5 chips only please".

WHEN THE MARKER (5 inch disk, white on one side, black on the other) IS BLACK SIDE UP, and OVER TO THE SIDE (off the numbers). Then you may bet on the COMING OUT ROLL. Bet either Pass (with the roller) or Don't Pass (betting with "the house", a slightly better bet).

COMING OUT ROLL:

7 or 11 player wins, PASS LINE bets also win, DON'T PASS loses,

2, 3, or 12 the house wins, PASS LINE loses, DON'T PASS collects (except for 12, this is a "Push", you don't lose, you don't win, you may then pick up the bet from the Don't Pass or leave it for the next round.

ANY OF THE ABOVE, AND IT GOES TO THE NEXT "COMING OUT ROLL"

but if the Coming Out Roll is 4,5,6,8,9,10 a "POINT" is "Established"

If a POINT IS ESTABLISHED, they "Mark the Point" turning the marker to White side Up, and placing it on the Number on the Table; and the rolling continues with SUBSEQUENT ROLLS.

SUBSEQUENT ROLLS:

Point number Wins, 7 loses (Pass line) all other numbers are Neutral (Don't Pass line collects if 7 is rolled, and loses if Point is rolled again)

EXAMPLE:

"Place your bets", I bet the Don't Pass, one bet, $5 (the minimum), Roller Rolls an "8". The marker is turned white side up and placed on the "8" space

Roller rolls again: 6 (neutral), rolls again 5 (neutral), rolls again, rolls 7 and the "Stick Man" (standing on Players side with Stick) calls out "7 OUT, LINE AWAY" and the standing Dealers collect all losing bets and pay all winning bets, my Don't Pass collected, so he matches my $5 bet with another $5 bet placed on top (If I am distracted by a beautiful woman, and I fail to pick up my bet and wining chip before the next player rolls, my bet is considered a new bet, which can be good or bad, depending on the roll, but in this case, I kept an eye on it).

New roll, the marker is again placed over to the side, off the numbers, with Black Side up, "Place Your Bets" is called, this time I place a PASS LINE bet, the roller rolls an "11", and the "Stick Man" calls out "YO Eleven" and I collect another $5.

"Place Your Bets" is called, I bet the PASS LINE, its my turn to Roll and the Stick Man pushes 5 Dice to me and asks if I want to roll (you may pass, sometimes I do, but this time I decide to roll). I pick out 2 dice, the Waitress bring me the free bourbon & water I ordered when I first got to the table, I tip her $1 and quickly down the drink, everyone is waiting, I attempt to roll the dice to the OTHER end of the table (it must be rolled past the Stick Man in the middle), so they will bounce off the opposite side, I try to avoid striking chips, but if they do, its not my fault, don't worry.

I roll a 7, I win, everyone with a bet on the Pass Line wins, and I am a hero. People make more bets, the 2 dice are passed to me again.

In my enthusiasm and trying to get the dice to the other end (after the drink), one of the dice goes flying over the wall and out onto the casino floor, realizing these dice were lucky for me, I immediately scream out "SAME DICE, SAME DICE, SAME DICE!!!" (other wise, I get my choice of the remaining 4), someone goes out and gets the one that flew out, they inspect it (to see that it is not a crooked replacement), and present it back to me.

This time (come out roll), I roll a "3", the Stick Man yells "Craps" and the Pass Line loses, the Don't Pass collects, BUT I RETAIN MY ROLL (I retain my right roll on any Coming Out CRAP, and it does not pass to the next person on my left until I establish a point followed by a "7 Out, Line Away).

I place a new bet on the Pass Line, and roll a "10", Stick Man cries out "10 Easy Ten" (5&5 would be a Hard Ten, all other forms of 10 are "easy", this is called for anyone betting the "Hardways" tempting, but not a wise bet), the 10 is marked, I roll a 3 (neutral, as it is no longer the coming out roll), I roll a 5 (neutral), I roll a 10, Stick Man cries "10 Winner Ten, Hard Ten" (5 & 5).

The hardways get paid again, I am a hero again, place bets get paid (get a book for that one, many books are available, in casino gift shops, a small booklet will do, but I do not advise "place bets" as they require larger amount of money).

So the marker is again placed Black Side Up (I just cant get rid of the dice). "Place your bets", I roll a "7", they scream, we win (except the Don't Pass).

I am ahead by 4 rolls, I would rather pull out ahead by 4 bets, which I can do (and have), but it is very unconventional to pull out when you get the dice again, so I bet the Pass Line, roll a "4", "Hard 4", the 4 is marked, I roll again "7", "7 Out, Line away" I lose my bet, and the roll is finally passed on to the next player,

I am now 3 bets ahead, $15. Do I hang around and risk it? or do I take my chips to the Cashier Cage and Collect?

(ANSWER: most likely I collect and call it a day)

BEST PLACES FOR A BEGINNER:

BINIONS HORSESHOE (Downtown) has around 10 tables, at a $2 minimum (5 bets is $10), great place, the best place in town, and high rollers hang out there too, come join the fun, its great (a costly cab ride downtown, around $16, depending on where your coming from). Freemont St (just outside Binions) has a light show (1,000,000 bulbs) every hour on the hour at night (see the show, or good time to grab an empty spot at the table while everyone else is outside at the show). And its right across the street from the Golden Nugget (excellent buffet, and Carson St Cafe (24 hours, in the Golden Nugget).

SAHARA has been boasting of $1 tables (I don't know how many tables?, or if they still are only $1?, but the Sahara is a great place (except the food). The Sahara has good free live music, and good paid shows.

STARDUST has several "Purple" tables, and during the week it is usually a $3 minimum (sometimes more on the Weekends), and its a good place; with a great no cover, no minimum lounge (live music and dancing), and Wayne Newton (who shaved of his mustache) but you have to pay to see him.

I once played at the MGM ($10 min) and won, and they were good sports about it.

EXCALIBUR (near MGM & NY)
Had a $3 table during the week (I have not been in there for a while, as I work 60 hrs per week.

I am lucky in some casinos, and unlucky in others (I wont say which ones).



EXTRA HOUSE ADVANTAGES:

In addition to the regular statistical house advantage, there are also other advantages which can and do CHANGE THE REGULAR STATISTICAL PERCENTAGES, giving the Casino additional statistical advantage.

The Casino can CALL IT or NOT CALL IT on several major issues.

1) As per the Rules, one must roll the dice to, and striking against, the other end of the table. If the dice do not make it to the other end of the table (not easy for many beginners, nor "Schills"), the Casino may call the roll INVALID or VALID.

2) When a die (singular for dice) lands on a stack of chips and the die is tilted, the Casino can decide which side is face up (this is less common of an issue, but it can happen).

3) Another additional issue is Cheating. Some players cheat (not me), and the Casino staff are experts at catching cheats. But sometimes individual Casino Staff have been known to cheat the player


WAYS THAT SOME CASINOS CAN CHEAT:

Casino Management does not officially condone cheating, yet some who work for casinos may elect to cheat (I have seen it, even if rare), as some casino workers get a percentage of the profits from the table they work at.

The ODDs are already in favor of "The House" (the Casino), and many people do not know what they are doing, this makes for plenty of money for "The House", yet greed sets in, they want more & more & MORE..... And I have never seen such sore losers as "The House" (in some cases, in certain Casinos, while other Casinos are good sports).

Here are some of the many ways a casino can cheat.....

CRAPS: HOW WELL CAN YOU SEE DICE AT THE OTHER END OF THE TABLE?
As per the Rules, one must roll the dice to, and striking against, the other end of the table. So the dice land far away from you. How well can you read the numbers on the dice? Don't worry, the Stick Man (staff) will quickly read it, call it, and scoop it up before anyone can blink an eye. Of course, there is always that other player at the other end of the table (but what if he works for the casino and is dressed up like a player, playing with money the Casino issued him, the official term for such a player (who works for the casino, or is perked by the casino) is a "Schill"). I have not caught anyone cheating in this manner, but considering what I have seen, I am very cautious.

LAST RESORT METHOD:
Your bet is on the PASS LINE, you have been winning, the roller rolls a 7 on the "come out" roll, the pass line wins, the dealer quickly removes your bet. You say "Hey, wait a minute, I had my bet on the Pass Line, the roller rolled a 7, I win, but you took my bet!". The dealer acts perplexed an confused, seems to be thinking deeply, but doesn't say anything. You restate your plea to the Box Man (sitting staff) and others, who shrug and exhibit palms up gesture and look around at each other as to say "I didn't see it, did you?". I argued this till I was blue in the face, over a $1 bet, and finally the dealer (angered) threw a dollar chip at me (landing on the table of course), then I said "that was my bet, where is my winning chip?". (This has happened to me from time to time, it is a standard scam).

ROULETTE:
I have tried to figure out how they could cheat, perhaps a magnetic ball, with a charge to be attracted to RED or EVEN, which could be switched to another ball with a magnetic charge attracted to BLACK or ODD? Who knows? I can't very well check their balls at the table. Other than that, Roulette seems to be the safest game (RED, BLACK, ODD, EVEN are near 50/50, actually 47 player / 53 house, while the long shots rarely pay off, but at least they pay off proportionally fair (minus the house 3% edge).

DON'T COME:
The craps Come and Don't Come bets are percentage wise good, exactly the same as a Pass or Don't Pass bet. But the Don't Come is way over in the corner, near the dealers chips. If "7 Out, Line Away" is called, you should collect, but the dealer starts raking in the chips, and the Don't Come easily gets lost in the shuffle. Standard.

ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, CHEATING IS A REALITY WHICH OCCURS, to what extent, I do not know. The Nevada State Gaming Commission is officially in charge of regulating gambling, to what extent, I do not know. I have lived in Vegas for over 5 years, and used to Gamble all the time, but now I work 60 hours per week, so I don't have time to gamble as much. I HAVE OFFICIALLY CAUGHT PEOPLE CHEATING, PERHAPS ONLY 3 TIMES; MANY OTHER TIMES I HAVE SUSPECTED IT. There are many other methods of cheating.


MORAL OF THE STORY: BET THE MINIMUM

MY ADVICE IS: PLAY THE MINIMUM BET, AS THE ODDS ARE IN FAVOR OF THE HOUSE ALREADY, THERE ARE WAYS THEY CAN CHEAT, CHEATING OR NOT, YOU CAN NOT MAKE A LIVING AT GABLING.

I played this way for 6 months, kept record of all my winnings and losses, and at the end of 6 months, I was 14% ahead. The only way to make money at this percentage, is to play HIGH STAKES, and considering that they can cheat, and are more likely to cheat someone who is winning at High Stakes, I would not risk my money, nor yours).

PHILOSOPHY: If everyone loses, and nobody wins; then people will not come back to Vegas (or not as many); but if people come (with $600 cash to have fun), and have a good time, they will spend the $600 (shows, food, fine dining, etc) and come back again, and again, and again....

LETS KEEP VEGAS IN BUSINESS (you can gamble all over the country now, but Vegas has more to offer). In the mean time, many will not read my fine words of wisdom, and of those who do, many will not be able to resist the temptation to play a slot machine or place a hardway bet, etc. So you have a few winners who make 10% of 5 minimum bets, lets not be greedy, they will spend their money around town in other ways, like tipping the taxi driver, bartender, waitress, baggage handler, dealers, seating, shows, food, shopping, clothing, gifts, etc.......




THE WOES OF GAMBLING:

MY OPINION:

Are all slot machines are a Rip Off? Quite frankly I would rather play Pin Ball or a Kids Arcade Game, more value for 50 cents.

Yes, slot machines are a Rip Off, to most everyone, except for an occasional well publicize winner, and the owners of the slot machines of course. Its a "Monkey See, Monkey Do" World. Most people don't figure out the odds for themselves, they just talk big and bluff. If everyone else does it, it must be cool. (like Lemmings to the Sea).

Don't play Black Jack, you go bust before the dealer does, they still collect even if they go bust. People who play Black Jack are either 1) paying to sit down, 2) are trying to impress everyone with how smart they are (like they ever actually figured out the odds on Black Jack themselves? ha), 3) are sitting down to flirt with an attractive dealer (like they are going to get somewhere with them?, ha), or 4) well if everyone else does it, it must be cool (ha).

Play something with Near Even Odds, such as Craps Pass Line or Don't Pass line (both of those bets are near 50% chance, unlike any other bets at a craps table). Roulettes "Red" or "Black" or "Odd" or "Even" are also near 50% bets,

But don't play that double up scheme. $5 minimum on Black, oops it was Red, double up $10 on Black to recoup, oops it was Red (twice), double up to $20 on Black, oops it was Red (thrice),double up to $40 on Black, oops it was Red (4th time), can I borrow some money, it cant go red all day, $80 on the Black, oops it was Red a 5th time. I have gone into casinos and seen a display board at the wheel showing a longer string of Red or Black, happens all the time.

Just buy in 5 bets, and play only near 50/50 bets. You'll never win a fortune, but at least you wont lose everything you own.

I have driven some Sad cases to the airport, bus station, and around town. People out of money (take the bus instead of a cab please), an old man who lost thousands of dollars in slot machines, I said "well you cant win em all", and he said "but I didn't win Anything" (many people don't win anything). I had this one guy in my cab who lost $200,000.00 I said, assuming he was rich "you'll get over it", he said "no I Wont, I could buy a house with that kind of money" (the ride was to a Walgreens, as he was physically ill over the issue).

I am not against gambling, I gamble myself, moderately, a set amount, the minimum, bets, at a 49% chance (you'll never beat Las Vegas, the odds are in their favor)



IS GAMBLING MORALLY CORRUPT?
Is it morally wrong to take money from people who think they are going to get Something for Nothing? People lured in with hyped up magnification of rare winners?

Perhaps, but no more corrupt than many other professions, such as many doctors, many lawyers, many business persons, many major corporations, and even some government agencies. At least Gambling is Fun.