The five-count craps method became famous in 1994 when it was included in Frank Scoblete’s book Beat the Craps Out of the Casinos. Unlike most betting systems – where you hedge or in other ways try to even out the odds – this is designed to find out when a shooter is on a roll.

 

You could really argue whether or not this system has ANY impact on a craps game. We all know about the gambler’s fallacy, and to be honest, that would shatter this system to pieces right away.

But Frank Scoblete and his craps partner “The Captain” both claim that it has an impact on the game.

So, let’s at least listen to their arguments.

The 5-Count Method for Craps Explained

As we said, the system is designed to find out when a dealer is hot and can make several rolls in a row and not “seven out.”

This is how you count:

If the shooter rolls a point on his first throw, he has 1-count. If he rolls 2, 3, 7 or 12 the counting ends before it even began.

On the second, third and fourth roll you add one to the count for any number the shooter throws (except seven of course).

It doesn’t matter whether or not the shooter hits his point during his throwing session. Say that he started with establishing 5 on his first roll and then hits 5 on his third, then you just continue counting on his following come-out roll.

When the shooter has a 4-count the important fifth roll is up. Now the shooter has to roll a point – 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 – for the five-count to be completed.

If he does, the shooter is now considered hot – according to Scoblete and the Captain,

But remember: if the shooter sevens out any time during his session you’re done with him. In that case you’ll have to wait for the next shooter.

What to Bet on the 5-Count

When the Shooter has reached 5, you will be in the middle of a round and cannot bet on the pass line.

Put your money on come instead or perhaps a buy bet.

Does the 5-Count Method for Craps Work?

Common sense says that it shouldn’t affect the game. It’s contradicting everything we’ve learned about random events.

However, playing the 5-Count method will definitely slow down the rate at which you risk money at the table. In fact, a little over 50% of the throws in a session will be unplayable.

But again, Scoblete claims that it works, and if you’d like to know more about this system, I recommend his article on the topic.