The Secret of Grinding Out a Profit
Pssst...Wanna know a secret?
How about the secrets of grinding out a profit?
The term "grinding" means making a small amount of money on a consistent basis. Many dealers look at grinders with derision because they make bets and then take them down after each one hits, which means constant work for the poor dealers. These dealers can spot a grinder right away because they never press bets and are satisfied with one small profit on each shooter. But can you really make a consistent profit with grinding?
Let's find out!
One way to grind out profits is to bet don't-come and make a corresponding place bet on the same number. If you have a $10 don't-come that goes to the six or eight, you can place the same number for $6. If the seven rolls (which is favored) you'll win $10 (and lose $6), but if the six rolls you'll only lose $3 instead of $10.
If the point is four or ten, you can place either number for $5 to balance out your $10 don't-come. If the seven rolls now you'll win $5 ($10 - $5), but if the four/ten rolls you only lose $1 ($9 - $10) instead of $10.
Finally, with a five or nine point, you can also place either number for $5 to balance out your $10 don't come. If the seven rolls you'll win $5 ($10 -$5), but if the 5/9 rolls you only lose $3 ($7 - $10) instead of $10.
If you bet at a higher level, you can make bets that will win if either the point or the seven rolls. For example, if you have a $25 don't-come that goes to the six or eight, you can place either number for $24. If the seven rolls you win $25 and lose $24, giving you a $1 profit. And, if the 6/8 rolls, you win $28 and lose $25, which still gives you a profit of $3.
You can use the same $25 don't-come on a 5/9 point, and place either number for $20. If the seven rolls you win $25 and lose $20, giving you $5. If the 5/9 rolls, you win $28 and lose $25, which gives you a $3 profit.
Finally, with a $25 don't-come on a 4/10 point, you can place either number for $15. If the seven rolls you win $25 and lose $15, giving you a $10 profit. If the 4/10 roll, you win $27 and lose $25, which still puts you $2 ahead.
Of course, the main disadvantage to all of these don't bets is that you're vulnerable to the seven or eleven while you're in the don't-come box. You can protect this don't-come bet in a number of ways. The most common is by laying the four and/or ten and then removing them when the bet is placed. See my articles on don't betting for other methods of protecting your don't-come bet.
Some people do not like "grinding" as they say it is a boring method of playing and does not provide enough monetary reward. But it is a way to make a nice, consistent profit, as well as gather up a lot of good comps, which could even be worth more than your winnings! Give it a try the next time you play!
Pssst...! Now you know the secrets of grinding out a profit!
© 2005 by Larry Edell
Larry Edell is the editor of The Crapshooter Newsletter, the only newsletter devoted exclusively to craps. You can get a FREE sample issue by sending two first class stamps to The Crapshooter, Dept EZA, PO Box 421440, San Diego CA 92142, or you can subscribe at http://www.TheCrapShooter.com