by Jerry "Stickman"

It is okay to talk to yourself, say the experts, but watch out if you start answering yourself. But what if you actually argue with yourself? Could I be a little unstable?

My favorite casino game is craps. It is a glorious game with lots of table action, personal interaction, myriad betting possibilities, and opportunities to make gobs of money in a short time. There are so many different types of bets from which to choose: pass, don’t pass, place, lay, field, hard-way, horn, whirl, hop, big red and fire bets among them.

When the planets are all aligned and the karma is right and moon is in the properly positioned and everything you do at the craps table turns to gold, there is absolutely nothing more exciting. It is like you are in another world. Just throw your money on the table on whatever bet catches your fancy at the time and collect, collect and collect some more.

But then, sadly, there are times when nothing works. It is enough to drive a sane person mad and in my case there are those that would argue I am far from sane.

I limit myself to the lowest percentage bets at craps. These include pass / come, don’t pass / don’t come and placing the 6 and 8. When things are going well it does matter what I bet, but when things turn, the choices that are made can drive you batty.

If you know the shooter will throw a 7 on the next throw, a come bet is best. If you know a 6 or 8 will be thrown next, placing the 6 or 8 makes sense.

I watch several of each shooters throws before putting any of my hard earned money at risk. I normally make pass and come bets. I get three come bets working, then I wait for one of them to hit. Usually at least one of the three collects – either from hitting the number of from a 7 or 11 showing when the bet is in the come area. It is frustrating when I get three come bets working (none of them a 6 or 8) only to see a plethora of 6’s and 8’s followed by that ugly old 7. If It happens once, twice, three, four, five times in a row watch out.

"You dummy," I say out loud – yes, out loud –, "why do you keep bashing your head against the wall? Wait a little longer before placing the come bet and you will win on the 7-out."

I wait one extra roll, and start making come bets and just as the third bet moves to a number – 7-out!

"OK, listen to me," I say, "this time place the 6 and 8 and forget about come bets!" So I listen to myself and place the 6 and 8. You know what happens – repeating number after repeating number and nary a 6 or 8.

"You should have stayed with come betting," I tell myself so all can hear. "come bet the next shooter." As I wait for the proper time to place the first come bet the numbers and my audible comments are:

5

6 – "Why didn’t I place the 6 and 8? It’s OK this still could be the right move"

8 – "I should have placed the 6 and 8. I am not out any money yet"

6 – "Another 6, what is going on? It’s almost time to put your come bet and hope he either has a long roll or throws the devil"

I put a one unit bet in the come area

3 – "I hate when that happens! That’s OK, just relax"

Another come bet. 11 – "Alright! I got a little back."

10 – "OK, I haven’t seen many 10’s lately, this could hit"

Another come bet. 9 – "Haven’t seen many 9’s either"

My third working come bet. 4 – "Not many 4’s either. Wow I am fully extended once again I sure don’t want to see a……"

7 – 7 out, line away! "%#&%^*&"

Jerry "Stickman" is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. The "Stickman" is also a certified instructor for Golden Touch™ Craps and Golden Touch™ Blackjack. For more information visit www.goldentouchcraps.com or www.goldentouchblackjack.com or call 1-800-944-0406. You can contact Jerry "Stickman" at stickmanGTC@aol.com