Craps For The Clueless: A Beginner's Guide to Playing and Winning (The Clueless Guides) (Paperback)

by John Patrick (Author)
Key Phrases: accepting small returns, shooter bangs, pass line bet, Big Four, Advanced Craps, Imus Pressit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Explaining in simple, understandable language the techniques of craps and various wagers permitted, this book instructs new players on how to interpret the posted rates. John Patrick, an authority on professional gambling, takes readers through every possible wager, whether betting with or against the dice. Charts & diagrams.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
from Chapter 1: Introduction: The Game of Craps You ever play craps? You ever go to a casino, pick up them bones and toss them across the table, thereby igniting a mixed reaction from the players who gather around the table and live and die with every roll? Well, craps is both an easy game to play and is exciting in its assortment of possible wagers.

Craps for the Clueless

Craps for the Clueless is trying to go way, way, way back to the very essence of what craps is all about. It is aimed at the gambling neophyte who needs to have the game laid out in terms that even a four-year-old could understand.

Don't think for one second that I am saying that the millions of craps players now standing at the tables know everything about the game, because they don't. Sure, they know the object of craps, but they lack the skills of money management and discipline that separate the real players from the dorks.

I'm getting ahead of myself. We'll get to money management and discipline in later chapters. Right now, let's give you an idea of what you'll find on the following pages:

A Complete, basic approach to craps Skills to handle your bankroll All the knowledge you need to understand the good and bad plays A fabulous (if I do say so myself) money management approach An awareness of the all-important aspect of discipline

The Big Four

Before we get into the meat of the game, you need to understand what it takes to win consistently. It was already touched on in the previous chapter, but because it is absolutely essential you learn this, we'll go over it again.

There are four things you need in any form of gambling to help you have a shot at winning. I call them the Big Four. These are fundamentally important in increasing your chances of winning. Listed in order they are:

1. Bankroll: This is the amount of money you bring to battle. Every single betting decision spins off of your starting bankroll.

2. Knowledge of the Game: You must be perfect in understanding everything about the game you are playing, in this case, craps. This knowledge will help you avoid bad bets and increase your chance of winning by holding down losses.

3. Money Management: You'll find oodles of chapters on this subject because it is so crucial to your game. Money management can be summed up by asking yourself the following question: What do I bet after a win and what do I bet after a loss?

4. Discipline: This will determine whether you are in a position to gamble sensibly. It takes brains and guts to use discipline at the tables. Let's see if you can qualify on both counts.

This entire book will be broken down into sections, each going over the Big Four. The other two sections will deal with the things you need to help you learn the game of craps, but it all starts with the Big Four.

The Little Three

Right in the back of the back of the Big Four is the Little Three. These contain three additional necessities that help in your awareness of the pitfalls of gambling. They are:

1. Theory 2. Logic 3. Trends

Each of these categories gets their own section, so you get to see how they back up the Big Four.

For those of you squirming in your seats, waiting to learn about craps, hold on to your britches. In the chapter, "Knowledge of the Game," you'll get a bellyful of charts and explanations of the entire craps table. Believe it or not, this section is more important than the "Knowledge" chapter because it shows you how to lay out your day, rather than learning about the craps layout.

Sections on the Little Three will follow, but here are the other issues and terms you'll become familiar with:

Lost limits Win goals Sessions Reality Series Charting

Each of these will be addressed in their own sections, so look for them.

Product Details

• Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818405996
• ISBN-13: 978-0818405990
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,258 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right on the money for beginners, December 27, 2003

By A Customer

John Patrick is dead on. I love this book because it explains a professional gambler's betting strategy and why in terms understood by a beginner. I knew very little about craps except that I liked the energy of the game. The book was great for explaining the types of bets and the pros & cons of each. The style was honest and very enjoyable. Do not expect to make the big hit with the methods in this book. The numerous small hits may not be as exciting but really add up.

I read the book, downloaded some casino software, and became disciplined with the strategies on my PC. Weeks later I went to Vegas to try my variation of Twenty Two Inside. At the end of the trip my small winnings and ultra-conservative style added up to $350 and I was (very very) lucky enough to take money from all seven casinos I played. I could sense that the macho players were mocking me when I stated 'Take Me Down'. Of course, a couple of rolls later the 7 popped up and they watched the dealer take their money. John was dead on about this too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It worked for me, October 22, 2000

By	kittykat "kdeloian" (Oakland Park, FL USA) - See all my reviews

I thought this book was great. I read it on my way to Vegas, and tripled my money. Yes, it's for beginners, but it teaches you tips and lingo so you don't look, sound, or play like one.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to win at Craps?, October 29, 2003

By	Ty Strong (Escondido Ca.) - See all my reviews

Mr. Patrick's book "Craps for the clueless" has allowed me to win at craps almost everytime I play.

Yes there has been days when I violated the rules he has layed down and went home a loser but usually under $100 bucks.

I just got back from Lake Tahoe and took them for $170.00 large. ha

Just learn the place bets of putting your money on 6 and 8. that is all you need. Of course a 2-way hard 6 is nice when you are winning and remember to give the bar babe at least a $5 dollar chip when she comes by with your drink, you cheap ass.
Ty