Gaming Guru

Pushing The House

© 2002 by Larry Edell

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?

How about learning the secret of getting a better deal on a bet than the one that is advertised?

Let's find out!

One simple example of "pushing the house" occurs when you are betting the pass line and 6 or 8 is the point, and you are at a double odds table. Technically if you have $10 on the pass line, you should be able to place $20 behind in odds. If you win, you'll receive $10 for your flat bet and $24 for your odds (at 6:5). However, most casinos will let you place $25 in odds behind a $10 bet (actually giving you 2.5X odds instead of 2X) which results in an odds payoff of $30. So you'll win a total of $40 ($30 + $10) instead of $34 ($24 + $10).

If you are a $5 player you can still give it a try. If you have $5 on the pass-line and 6 or 8 becomes the point (in a double odds game) you can place only $10 behind the line. But it doesn't cost you anything to ask the friendly dealer if you can place $15 in odds behind your 6 or 8. Then if it hits, you'll win $5 for the flat bet and $18 for the odds, a total of $23 instead of the $17 you would have won previously.

Using the same technique, if you have a $5 flat bet and 5 or 9 is the point, you can normally place $10 behind the line. This time, just ask if you can place $20 in odds. You have absolutely nothing to lose by trying this. If the 5 or 9 hits, you'll win $5 for your flat bet and $30 for your odds, for a total of $35 instead of $25.

Finally, if the point is 4 or 10 and you have a $5 line bet, ask if you can again place $20 (instead of $10) in odds. You'll win $5 for your flat bet and $40 for your odds bet, a total of $45 instead of the $25 you would win with $10 odds.

Remember, you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying any of this. A lot depends on the dealer. You might nudge things along by tipping him a few times, but many professionals "push the house" all they can--whether they are at the $50 level or the $5 level! Give it a try the next time you play!

Pssst...! Now YOU know the secret of pushing the house!

For more information about craps, we recommend: