I realize the Fire bet is a bet in favor of the casino . . .

[mycoalsmith]

so . . . . . why would a casino offer a Fire bet with $1.00 Minimum and $1.00 Maximum?

The Presque Isle Downs Casino in Erie, PA opened up the Fire bet option about 3 or 4 months ago. The Pittsburgh casino's have it, and have minimum bets of $1.00, maximum of $5.00. So when Erie first offered the Fire bet, I figured that management was being cautious when the Maximum or Minimum was $1.00. I figured once management saw the money come rolling in, and few payoffs, they would change the Maximum bet to $5.00. It hasn't happened yet.

In fact, in the 4 or 5 times I've been up there since they started offering the Fire bet, this week is the very FIRST time I saw a payoff - both a 5 point and a 4 point within 2 hours of each other. I've been at the same table in other casinos for a whole day, and no one even comes close - or gets 3 points and then keeps hitting repeating numbers and then a 7 out.

So, if the Fire bet is in the casino's advantage, why wouldn't they offer a higher Maximum bet?

[heavy]

As I recall, on average the house edge is about 24% on the Fire bet. As for casinos not allowing a higher bet - it's probably for the same reason that most put limits on all of their prop bets. They're scared of those lightning strikes. I recall many years ago when one of the local casinos - a player walked to to the table and tossed in a $100 Midnight. The twelve rolled and he shouted "Parlay." The box man went ahead and let them parlay the bet (that's a $3000 twelve - the casino had a $500 prop bet limit) and the twelve rolled again. The casino paid the bet and fired the boxman.

[Knick111]

Hi Heavy,

What was the boxman's cut of the $90,000 ON the parlay. Inside job.

JAIME.

[wild child]

Was that THE casino which actually chopped up the craps table to near splinters
then set the splinters afire

W C

[vegasfan2010]

Firebet maximums here in Ontario are usually $5. I saw $10 maximum in Vegas. I think in Vegas there are more options for a craps player, thus higher bet maximum.

[Mad Professor]

Was that THE casino which actually chopped up the craps table to near splinters
then set the splinters afire

W C

Hi WC,

That would be Major Riddle, the owner of the DUNES Casino-Hotel (where Bellagio now stands) who did that.

That table-smashing came the morning after Friday, October 13, 1967 when a player went on a super-streak of hitting an unimagineable number of Passline-winners (both Come-Out winners as well as PL-Point repeater winners).

Riddle had that table moved out to the back parking-lot near the employee-entrance, and took a fire-axe to it.


MP

[CrapsGenius]

Firebet is the next best thing to slice bread. Learn to hedge and you will do well. Since I've started hedging the firebet I've put aside quite a few dollars to buy those things that I've always wanted including extra vacation money. I love this bet. Ohhh! I love this bet.

[London Shooter]

At what stage do you start hedging CG? After 3rd point is made?

[SoSerious]

Firebet is the next best thing to slice bread. Learn to hedge and you will do well. Since I've started hedging the firebet I've put aside quite a few dollars to buy those things that I've always wanted including extra vacation money. I love this bet. Ohhh! I love this bet.

How many times have you yourself hit a 4, 5 or 6 points fire bet in the last 365 days?

[gargoil]

Firebet is the next best thing to slice bread. Learn to hedge and you will do well. Since I've started hedging the firebet I've put aside quite a few dollars to buy those things that I've always wanted including extra vacation money. I love this bet. Ohhh! I love this bet.

“A fool's paradise is a wise man's hell.” ― Thomas Fuller
“Well, God give them wisdom that have it; and those that are fools, let them use their talents.” ― William Shakespeare
“I know you're a fool, Jim Hardy, but for heaven's sake pretend you're not for five minutes.” ― L.M. Montgomery

Well looks like I am in hell but I will use wisdom and call CrapsGenius Jim Hardy.

[CrapsGenius]

gargoil, get outta's the gutter.

[CrapsGenius]

Today at the casino, everyone finally caught to hedging the 4th number to fire.

Huge favour for the player.

If established point is 6 and I have a $5.00 fire knowing its easier to roll 7, by simply laying $120 to win 100 is a great bet.

If number is rolled big deal just collect $125 on the fire and hope for another opportunity to hedge the 5th point. in the long term, I win more Hedging the 4th before it ever wins. (4 out of 5 times shooter will 7-out)

I'm glad the regulars finally decided to listen to me.

$100.00 is better than nothing.

[London Shooter]

Hi Rongarm - I'm sure Irish won't mind me answering this whilst all you guys are still in bed

Wikipedia summaries the bet quite well:

"Before the shooter begins, some casinos will allow a bet known as a fire bet to be placed. A fire bet is a bet of as little as 1 dollar, made in the hope that the next shooter will have a hot streak of setting and getting many points of different values. As different individual points are made by the shooter, they will be marked on the craps layout with a fire symbol. The first three points will not pay out on the fire bet, but the fourth, fifth and sixth will pay out at increasing odds. The fourth point pays at 24-to-1, the fifth point pays at 249-to-1 and the 6th point pays at 999-to-1. Note that the points must all be different numbers for them to count towards the fire bet. For example, a shooter who successfully hits a point of 10 twice will only garner credit for the first one on the fire bet."

The main thing is get you bet placed before the shooter starts to roll. You don't have to have a passline bet or any other bet. 7s on the CO roll(s) do not end the firebet -only a 7 out when a point is established ends the bet. Only different points made count towards the bet and it usually pays once 4 distinct points are made, though there are casinos with a different pay table where you will start getting paid on 3 points.

See the wizardofodds.com website for more info on pay tables and probabilities:

http://wizardofodds.com/games/craps/appendix/5/

A different side bet which I prefer is the All Tall & Small. For this one you need to hit 2,3,4,5 and 6 for the small to pay and 8,9,10,11 and 12 for the tall to pay at any time during a roll. Hit every number and the all tall will pay out. The small and tall pay usually 34 to 1 each with the all paying 175 to 1.

The main difference with the ATS is that a 7 at any time, including CO roll, ends the bet.

[acpa]

One additional comment about when you can make a fire bet.

If the initial roll by a new shooter is not a box number, ie the Come out bet is a natural, 7/11 or craps 2/3/12 at most casinos, and my first roll is a natural winner, you can still make a fire bet.

For instance when I am the shooter, and my first roll is a natural winner, that triggers me making a bet for the crew and I will often ask if they prefer a dealer fire bet or a dealer pass line bet.

Noah

[vegasfan2010]

I have been lucky with the Firebet lately. That seems to happen frequently.
I may go weeks without seeing a Firebet, sometimes months.
When they hit, they seem to come in bunches.

Feast or famine.

[rhythm roller]

I have been in the occasional casino where they DO require a line bet before you can bet the Fire. Guess they don't want any players taking up table space and renting that space for only $1. This seems to be the exception though and may even be shift dependent at those casinos. Just FYI that you may be told you can't bet the Fire bet only.

[freak]

I agree. We hit several in one weekend a few months back, then nothing. Finally saw the first one in several months this past weekend (4 pointer) and arrived just after a 5pointer was hit.

[London Shooter]

OK rr I shall keep in mind that there may be times when passline is required if you want to jump in and have a firebet.

[rollmeasy]

I will make a $1 Firebet, then put $1 on the hardways. 6 or 8 Hard hits, I rack $5, press all Hardways $1. 4 or 10 Hard hits, rack $5 and press the 6&8 Hard. One Hardway hit and bets are paid for. If no hits, down $5 on that shooter.
I've won 2, 6 point Firebets, on other shooters. In Council Bluffs, IA., that pays 1000:1. Still a LONG SHOT, but when it hits!.........
I will make a $5 Firebet on myself. I've tossed 3, 4 Point Fires so far this year. Haven't been able to break through to the 5th point. It's coming.

[dinero2005]

Firebet is the next best thing to slice bread. Learn to hedge and you will do well. Since I've started hedging the firebet I've put aside quite a few dollars to buy those things that I've always wanted including extra vacation money. I love this bet. Ohhh! I love this bet.

Now, I've only been here a week or so and I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds but I think I've already found the Troll...