Dear Mark,
I know most of the craps bets and associated odds, but I have a
question that has been bugging me. Reference the following craps
scenario: Suppose I come to a table and the point is six. I make a come
bet and the shooter rolls an eight. I like the action and take the max
odds on my come bet. Next, the shooter rolls his/her six and the dealers
pay the line. Correct me if I am wrong, but now the dealer will turn off
my odds on my eight. If the shooter rolls a seven my odds are returned
and I lose my come bet. If the shooter rolls an eight, my odds are
returned but I am paid for my initial come bet. Any other point and my
odds are back on. My question is: can I ask that my odds remain on
during a come-out roll? Darrin H.
Yes, Darrin, but first a quick primer for those unacquainted with the
slight differences between pass line and come bets. A come bet is
exactly like a pass line bet, with the exception that you can make a
come wager on every roll of the dice after the shooter's point has been
established, and, incidentally, it is placed on a different part of the
layout. A new series of rolls begins when the shooter makes his point or
the dice pass to a new shooter - after the seven flaunts its ugly face.
Almost, if not all, players commence their wagering at this point by
making a pass line wager, with odds off on their come bets, if they
happen to have made any. Come bet odds are routinely cut off during a
come out roll, and are automatically put back in action once a new point
has been established, unless, of course, the bettor instructs the dealer
otherwise. The logic is that you are rooting for the seven, so you can
be paid on your pass line bet. You can't make any moolah winning one and
losing the other, — "like breathing out and breathing in" — which would
happen if you left your odds on. But you can have your odds working if
you happen to be making a singular Come wager. All odds wagers can be on
or off at your discretion. Just tell the dealer on the come out roll
that you want your "odds working." Or, if you want to halt odds action
temporarily on a come bet, just tell the dealer "odds off." The dealer
will mark the odds off with a marker. If you want to remove the odds
completely on a come bet, tell the dealer to "take your odds down," and
this removes your odds from the layout.
Dear Mark,
Last week you mentioned different combination possibilities in video
poker once you have a high pair (two pair every six times, three-of-a-kind
every nine times, etc.). Does a low pair produce the same result as a
high pair? Vincent L.
Aye, Vincent, the same would hold true for a low pair. However, do not
forget that the high pair packs more punch, as you would automatically
get your money back. Then, there are scenarios where you would toss
aside a low pair for a chance at a better hand. Example: You are dealt a
queen, king and ace of hearts, and a pair of deuces. By keeping the
deuces and going for two pair every six times, three-of-a-kind every nine
times, etc. you'll be cruisin' for a billfold bruisin.'
Gambling quote of the week: "Nothing is as obnoxious as other
people's luck." F. Scott Fitzgerald
