The method proposes that a player can expect to win playing Craps as long as comps are factored in. Well, the article states that the casino rates a 5-Count player as if he/she had bet on every shooter, and this is not always the case. Some supervisors are aware of betting frequency, and they can lower the rate at which a 5-Counter receives comps. The ‘5 Count Craps Strategy’ was initially developed by Dr. Don Catlin, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts and was later given prominence by Frank Scoblete, a professional craps player.The 5-Count Strategy is used on random rollers at the craps table to ‘qualify the shooter’ to determine if you’re going to place.
- Appendices
- Miscellaneous
- External Links
Introduction
Basic strategy blackjack players sometimes ask me for a simple way to overcome the small house edge in blackjack, with little worry over being recognized as a card counter. This is often done with the motive of milking the casinos for comps and offers. What follows is, in my opinion, the easiest card counting strategy to achieve the above goal and still put the odds in the player's favor.
5 Count Craps Strategy
How It Works
- Establish what your minimum and maximum bets will be. Usually the maximum will be 8, 16, or 32 times the minimum bet, or any power of 2, but you can use whatever bet spread you wish.
- At the beginning of each shoe, start with your minimum bet, and a count of zero.
- For each five observed, add one to the count.
- For each ace observed, subtract one from the count.
- If the count is greater than or equal to two, then double your last bet, up to your maximum bet.
- If the count is less than or equal to one, then make the minimum bet.
- Use basic strategy for all playing decisions.
5 Count Craps Method
This strategy was designed to be most effective on a six- or eight-deck game. I recommend playing only on games with liberal Strip rules, which are as follows:
- 4-8 decks
- Blackjack pays 3 to 2
- Dealer stands on soft 17
- Double after split allowed
- Late surrender allowed
- Re-splitting aces allowed
- 75%+ penetration
Such games are easy to find in Las Vegas, although sometimes a higher minimum bet is required. In the low-roller pits, the dealer will usually hit on a soft 17, which is bad, costing the player 0.22%.
Simulation Results
The following results were provided by Norm Wattenberger using his Casino Vérité software. The rules above were used, with six decks, and 75% penetration. In my opinion, Casino Vérité is the most robust and accurate blackjack simulation software on the market. It can be used to test just about any card counting strategy under any set of rules and conditions.
Ace/Five Count Statistics
| Spread | Player Advantage | Average Initial Bet | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | 0.30% | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| 1-16 | 0.45% | 4.2 | 5.3 |
| 1-32 | 0.57% | 7.1 | 6.5 |
SCORE is an acronym, coined by Don Schlesinger, for Standardized Comparison Of Risk and Expectation. It is defined as the advantage squared divided by the variance. The SCORE may also be interpreted as the expected hourly win per hand for a player with a $10,000 bankroll, who sizes his bets according to the Kelly Criterion, to achieve a 13.5% risk of ruin. As a basis of comparison, a Hi-Lo counter, with a 1 to 8 spread, under the same rules, has a SCORE of 8.40, compared to the 3.1 of the Ace/Five count.
Source: 'Blackjack Attack,' third edition by Don Schlesinger.
Earlier Strategies
After publishing this section, somebody accused me of stealing the idea from Edward Thorp. Indeed, in 1969 Thorp did discuss a similar strategy in his book 'Beat the Dealer,' in the fourth chapter titled 'A Winning Strategy.' The difference is that Thorp's strategy tracks fives remaining against total cards remaining. Later, in 1971, Lawrence Revere published a similar strategy as Thorp's in 'Playing Blackjack as a Business,' chapter 7 titled 'The Revere Five Count Strategy.'
Practice
Practice your card counting skills with our trainer.
5 Count Craps
Acknowledgments
- Norm Wattenberger: For the simulation results, using his Casino Vérité software.
- Don Schlesinger: For his many edits to this page.
Written by: Michael Shackleford
Players have been trying to find a way to beat the game of craps for hundreds of years. maybe the Craps 5 Count Method will help. There is no existing system that guarantees that you can beat the game. There are some interesting ones that produce results and, at least for the short term, reduce your losses. Try this method out now.
The house edge over a long sample play will not be affected by any betting system. Players can make a particular session more profitable if things go your way. These methods, such as using a Bovada Bonus Code, will increase the gamblers edge to a degree by keeping them in the game longer, thereby increasing their comp take for more play.
Craps 5 Count Method System
One such craps system is called the 5-Count Method. This system attempts to isolate rollers that are considered to be “hot rollers”, if any of them appear. Using this method you will reduce the total number of shooters you are betting. You will actually eliminate almost 57% of the random rollers and increase the chances of finding a hot roller to bet on.
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When a new craps shooter is on the come-out roll and he/she rolls a point (the “point numbers” are 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), that will constitute the 1-count. If he/she rolls a 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12 on the come-out, the count will not start yet. Once it does start the next three rolls are automatically the 2, 3, and 4 counts. Regardless of what is rolled. The fifth roll will only become the 5-count if the number rolled is again one of the point numbers above. If it isn’t, it becomes the four-count and holding until a point is eventually rolled. Once the 5-count has been achieved on one player you can then start betting on this roller. Do so by making a come bet or making a place bet.
This craps method first surfaced in 1994. In addition there has been a lot of controversy about whether it works at reducing the house edge or not. Some studies have shown that it increases the player’s overall take when the comps are good. Reason being by not betting on every player you’ll be at the craps table longer, and your playing cash will go a lot further. Try it out Online now for free.
5 Count Craps Strategy
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