Page 8 - Jackpot Magazine South ~ August, 2025

PLAY TO WIN
Rules to help craps play sizzle this summer
“Self-discipline is what separates the winners and the losers.”
~ Businessman Thomas Peterffy
Spending time at the hotel pool is one way to enjoy a summer day at the casino. Another cool way is a visit to the craps tables where the dice are hot and the play is steamy. Gaming enthusiast Frank Scoblete, author of several books, including I Am a Dice Controller: Inside the World of Advantage-Play Craps!, wrote about craps play in several columns in Jackpot!
Scoblete often shared about a character named The Captain, who was his gambling mentor. The Captain had several rules to follow when playing craps ranging from traditions and superstitions to good manners and best betting practices. Take a look at some of those rules and maybe your craps play will sizzle this summer.
Follow the traditions and practices of the craps tables:
• Do not hang your hands over the table when someone is shooting
• Do not say the word “seven” when at a craps table. Say “the
devil” or “that number” or
some such phrase.
• If you are shooting and a die or both dice leave the table, ask for “same dice.”
• Do not make bets
when the shooter has the
dice in his hand. Make all bets when the dice are in the middle of the table.
• Do not buy in until a shooter has made a point or sevened out.
Good manners at the craps tables:
• Do not yell or scold someone who has sevened out. Everyone sevens out sooner or later.
• Do not shout your number into the shooter’s ear.
•Ifthedealermakes
a mistake be polite as
you state your case. An angry player makes other players uncomfortable.
• Make sure you know what bets you’ve made so that you do not interrupt the game.
• Do not whine about your losses. Do not brag about your wins.
Some rules for dice controllers:
• Do not take longer than 10 seconds to set the dice, grab, grip, aim and throw the dice.
• Always hit the back wall, but when you don’t, give an indication that you have screwed up. Don’t wait for casino personnel to yell at you. Apologize, even before anyone can say anything to you.
• Act as if you are a regular player at the tables. Don’t be snooty. If someone has a good roll, cheer when he hits his point.
• Do not give advice to anyone while the game is progressing. If a random roller asks you a question, refer him to
the dealer with, “Ask the dealers, they are the experts.”
• When you are having a good roll, do not become an egomaniac. Even
if your dice are so perfect that you can call your number, don’t do it.
• The dealers live on tips. Be generous with your tipping. If you’re on their side, they’ll most likely be on your side.
• Do not ask other players to move their chips from your landing zone.
• Know how much you are going to get paid for a bet.
• Keep the game moving. Make your bets all at once — don’t wait to throw out a new bet.
• Don’t constantly keep calling your bets on and off. On random rollers, it doesn’t matter what numbers he hits — it’s random!
• Make sure you do not shortchange yourself when playing. You need a proper bankroll to play your “A” game. Never borrow money from friends in order to play.
• Never play when you are tired.
• Take the dice three or four times and if you are not hitting then take a break.
Betting rules for all craps players:
• Craps is a controlled riot. Get caught up in the emotions of the players who are hitting outrageous Crazy Crapper bets and you will find major losses over time.
• Remember this: The more you play random games, the better the chance that you will be a loser.
General rules to play long and prosper:
• Don’t fall for “new age” gobbledygook about sensing the energy at a table or psychically feeling when a hot roll will occur.
• There are no such things as hot tables or cold tables. What happened in the past of a random game cannot predict what will happen coming up. A table is just a table.
• Even if you become a highly skilled dice controller, keep your perspective. You are playing a game.
Do you have a question on the best way to play to win? Email us at jackpotmagazine@gmail.com.
Play To Win Again
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8 JACKPOT! MAGAZINE • August 2025
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com