Craps Sun Tzu: The Art of War Applied to Playing Craps

This post is only a portion from a chapter in my book, Wholly Craps. Sun Tzu's Art of War, written in China centuries before the birth of Christ, is said to contain the foundation of which all modern military strategies are based. it is believed by people in business that Sun Tzu's Art of War transcends military context and offers insight into the nature of modern business practices. Numerous books have been written exploring the exact nature of the analogy between business and war.

I have espoused that playing craps must be treated as a business if one is to win consistently. Further, it is my opinion, that playing craps is analogous to going to was against the casino. For those of you who view playing craps as entertainment, none of this matters. You have the right to lose money at the craps table and justify it as being "entertainment." I will attempt to prove the underlying thesis that the achievement of Sin Tzu's Art of War transcends the military context and offers a basis for valuable insight into playing and winning casino craps.

To my knowledge the idea of an analogy between playing craps and that of war is a novel one. It's not so much to know one specific betting strategy to win consistently - - it is more a mind set of knowing how to bet, based on the table conditions, and knowing not only when to bet, but when not to bet.
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When playing craps, you must treat your chips as soldiers and warriors in the battle against the casino's chip bank. The chips will follow your instructions. "If the instructions and the words of command are not clear, the general is to blame." You are the general. If you do not give proper instructions to the dealer as to how yours bets are made and if they should be working or not, and you lose them, you, and only you, are to blame.

Sun Tzu wrote "He who has a thorough knowledge of himself and the enemy is bound to win all battles. He who knows himself but not his enemy, has only an even chance of winning. He who knows not himself and the enemy is bound to perish in all battles. Know your enemy, know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat. Know the terrain, know the weather, and your victory will be complete." Likewise, in playing craps, you must have a thorough knowledge of the game including, how bets are made and correct payouts, as well as how The casino will try to distract you. in the context of battles I am not referring to each bet, but each session that is played. Also, I am not advocating that you will win every session. The key is that in the long run you will win more than you lose.

According to the opening statement of Sun Tzu's work: "War is a matter of vital importance to the State. It concerns the lives and deaths of the people; and affects the survival or demise of the State. hence, it must be thoroughly studied."

Playing craps to earn a living is a matter of vital importance to each individual. It concerns the livelihood of the person and his/her family. Hence, the game must be thoroughly studied. Before you decide to risk your hard earned money at the craps table, there must be detailed planning. Detailed planning involves an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and those of the your enemy - - the casino.

There is much more to the chapter but I think you can get the drift of the message.
David Medansky

 

I think that we talked about this once before, craps players know nothing about how they run casinos, they rely a lot on what other players tell them. They will not take the time to read anything on casinos management. Maybe if they are lucky, they will buy one book on the game. Most will only play three times a year, and most of our so-called experts don't even live where they have casinos.


If you don't know how they run the casinos, how are you going to beat them? Do you really want to just try to get lucky every time you go to the casinos?


Understanding what you're up against every time you walk into the casinos will help you win! I advise all of the players that come into Vegas to spend a little time in one of our many libraries around town, that have a good supply of books on casino management, and gambling in general.

Everybody that plays craps should have a good home library on playing craps and casino management!

 

Very solid info Mr Medansky... Translated to the craps table. Know the terrain, (know the craps table felt, micro fibre, bounce, pyramids,), know the weather (how humidity effects the wood density, which translates into bounce characteristics, know the enemy, (the casino's...do they sweat a loss, are they batches about hitting the back wall every roll, are dealers jerk offs against you, can you gain their energy and have them on your side with a little toke while you play), Knowing yourself... (what are my weaknesses, what do i tend to give into, how can i course correct myself during play and get back on track). Like a general sits in front of his men and lays out a plan and then they go to deliver, we must do same thing. Verbally talking these things out loud as you make your way in travel will help you maximize your gain, minimize your loss and get you up and out of casino before you give back profits.

I have both his books and are both good reads.... I have utilized some of the concepts in there in tuning my game up.