Method of playing craps and apparatus therefor

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention concerns a method and associated apparatus for playing casino games. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus for assisting a craps player, the apparatus incorporating a method which increases the odds of obtaining a winning payout.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the layout of a typical craps table.

#FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a mechanical apparatus formed in accordance with the concept of the present invention.

#Referring now to FIG. 1 a craps table layout is shown. There are a plurality of areas delineated on the craps table 20 where bettors can place bets. Bets are placed using chips which are purchased at predetermined incremental values, the placement of the chips on one of the delineated areas indicating that the bettor desires to bet the corresponding dollar amount. The delineated areas allow bettors to place bets which, depending upon the outcome of each roll (known as the roll sum) of a pair of dice (not shown), either win, lose, or remain on the table 20 pending subsequent rolls. A winning bet will win an amount corresponding to the payout odds in light of the value of the chips placed in the selected area, a losing bet results in the loss of an amount corresponding to the value of the chips placed in the selected area. A bettor may place bets on several of the areas at once in order to increase his odds of winning for a given roll. However, odds of winning when placing bets on some areas of the table are far worse than on other areas of the table. For example, the odds on the proposition bets such as the horn bet are so heavily in favor of the casino (also known as the house) that almost all experts recommend against making any of the proposition bets.

#The present invention provides a method and an apparatus which allows a user to systematically place bets on both the high risk and low risk areas with a substantially increased chance of winning. In accordance with the method, bets placed on the pass line 24 or the come area 26 (when appropriate) are balanced against bets placed on the horn 28. For the initial bet placed on the pass line, a corresponding bet is placed on the horn area 28 in amounts calculated to ensure at least some winnings, with no possibility of a loss. For example, if the initial pass line bet is 5 dollars, the corresponding bet placed on the horn would be 1,1,1,1 on the roll sums of 2, 3, 11, and 12 respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. If a point is rolled, i.e. a number other than 2, 3, 7, 11, or 12, the horn bet is lost, but the pass line bet remains on the board. If a 7 is rolled, the pass line bet is won, and the player nets one dollar. If a 2 or 12 is rolled the player loses the pass line bet, but wins the horn bet at a 30 to 1 payout and thus nets 30 minus 8(pass line bet plus losing horn bets), or 22 dollars. Similarly, if the player rolls a 3 roll sum, which has a 15 to 1 payout, the player loses the 5 dollar pass line bet but wins 15 dollars on the horn for a net winning of 7 dollars. If the player rolls an 11 roll sum the player wins the pass line bet and the horn bet (also 15 to 1 payout) for a total gross winnings of 15 plus 5 or 20 dollars. It should be noted, however, that the bets placed on the horn area 28 are single roll bets, that is, after every roll the bets are either taken by the house, or winnings are paid out in accordance with the predetermined payout ratio.

#As can be easily discerned from the above discussion, in order to implement the method of the invention, the craps player must understand and keep track of several bets. Furthermore, bets must be placed relatively quickly, on the correct areas of the board and in the correct amounts. The present invention includes apparatuses which ensure that, once the craps player has familiarized himself with the rules of the game and the nuances of the method, he/she can implement the method efficiently.