Lucky Red Casino
✔️A great online casino for real money accepting USA Players with 400% Bonus.
Most so-called gambling “experts” agree that we should always set win/loss limits and have the discipline to stick to them. I don’t agree with the word “always,” particularly with win limits. I believe it’s important to evaluate your circumstances and make a reasoned judgment call on whether to quit while you’re ahead.
I do believe loss limits are important so there’s nothing to debate about that. For example, suppose you take a three-day Vegas trip and plan to play a lot of craps. I recommend dividing your craps-playing time into equal sessions with each session a set duration, such as four hours. Then plan on playing three 4-hour sessions per day (i.e., one in the morning, afternoon, and night). Set a loss limit for each session, such as $100. That means for your three-day vacation, plan on spending $900 at the craps table. That’s a reasonable amount for three days in Vegas. This does not mean you‘re going to lose the entire $900. It simply means you should plan on bringing $900 to cover your potential craps expenses. (Review our other lesson on how to properly plan for a gambling trip, and how to determine the proper amount to support your planned gambling time. Without proper planning, the enjoyment you get from your Vegas trip has a good chance of being a lot less than desired.) For each 4-hour session, stick to your $100 loss limit. If the dice just don’t cooperate and you lose $100 the first hour, accept defeat and leave the table. Don’t dig into your pocket for money that’s planned for a later session. If your luck stays bad, you could lose your entire $900 in one day. Then what? What do you do for the remaining two days of your vacation? You walk around sight-seeing with your empty pockets turned inside, that’s what. How many times can you watch the free fountains and volcano? It’s terrible being in Vegas without any gambling money! Stick to your loss limit every session, leave the table when you’re having bad luck, and do something else until it’s time for your next session.
Now, let’s talk about win limits. I don’t always like win limits, especially when visiting Vegas for a few short days. Win limits are good for someone who plays a lot, such as a Vegas local who stops at the casino every day on his way home from work. In this case, if he gets ahead by a certain amount, such as $25 or $50, then it’s good to quit while he’s ahead for that day. He won’t miss much by quitting early because he can always return tomorrow for another session. However, if you’re an occasional gambler who only plays twice a year in Vegas or once a month at your favorite online casino, then win limits may not suit your circumstances.
Suppose you and your wife head to Vegas for a quick three-day trip. You arrive and she lets you play your first craps session as soon as you dump your bags in the room. You hurry down to the tables and see one where everyone is clapping and cheering so you deduce that it must be heating up. You count only seven players at one end of the table but there’s no room for another because the fat guy in player position #1 takes up two spots. You turn to the guy who was there before you waiting for an open spot and ask, “You gonna play?” He says, “Yeah, once someone leaves.” You think to yourself, “I was nice and gave him a chance, but he didn’t take it, so I’m making my move!” You wedge yourself between the gorgeous brunette and the non-smoker while politely asking, “Can I get in here, please?” They ignore you, but the dealer knows there’s only seven players at that end so he asks everyone to make room for you (the table can accommodate eight players at each end). You immediately drop your $100 buy-in and tell the dealer, “Five on the line with fifteen odds.” You think about your win-loss limits and tell yourself you’re going to quit if you win or lose $100, no matter what. (Very good! Setting limits at the start is good!) The dealer quickly gets your chips, positions the bets for you, and puts the remaining chips in the apron for you to pick up. The shooter immediately rolls the point and you win a quick $23.
The craps table turns blistering hot. The shooter rolls number after number, point after point. With every other roll, you pocket those beautiful green chips instead of putting them in your chip rack. Finally after 30 minutes, the game ends with a 7-out. You pull out a handful of green chips from your pocket and realize you just won $700 in less than an hour. Now what?
You’re $700 ahead, which is way more than the $100 win limit that you set for yourself. Do you stick to your win limit and quit that session early? Do you quit for the rest of your trip and not play any more craps at all? Think about it. You’re $700 ahead, which will pay for all your meals for the whole trip and maybe a couple of cheap shows. So, do you quit playing altogether for the rest of your trip? Personally, for me, there’s no way I quit. I came to Vegas to play craps, not waste time sight-seeing. I pocket $600 of the winnings and use the other $100 for the remainder of that session. I play by the same rules in terms of my loss limit, so if I then lose $100 before the end of that session, then I quit.
My strict rule is, if I lose my $100 limit for a particular session, I never dig into my pocket for more to continue playing. Instead, I quit and go to the bar for a beer and watch the game, or play poker, or sit with my wife at the video poker machine, or do something until it’s time for the next 4-hour session. However, if I win, I keep playing regardless of how much I win.
Win limits can be useful in certain circumstances for some people. For example, people who seldom gamble will oftentimes quit when they’re ahead. For them, gambling isn’t fun or they don’t like risking their money. They usually play simply because their spouse or friend plays. Suppose your company sends you and a colleague to Vegas for a training class. After class, you talk your friend into stopping at the craps table for a few minutes. Your friend has no clue how to play the game, but he plays anyway because he’s not yet ready to go back to his room. You tell him, “Just do what I do and you’ll be fine.” The shooter has a fairly decent roll that lasts 15 minutes. Your friend counts his chips and finds he’s $45 ahead. He then says, “Thanks, that was fun, but I’m walking away.” A win limit (or a win of any amount) makes sense for this type of gambler.
Remember, familiarize yourself with the craps rules and always set a loss limit for each session, but evaluate your circumstances before setting a win limit. Loss limits keep you out of trouble, but win limits can sometimes defeat the whole reason you’re playing craps (such as during the occasional Vegas vacation as described above).
FAQs
- What are Win and Loss Limits?
- Win and loss limits are pre-determined amounts set by players to manage their gambling bankroll. A win limit helps players keep their profits, while a loss limit helps to minimize losses.
- Why are Win and Loss Limits important?
- They promote responsible gambling, help manage a gambling budget, and can enhance the overall gambling experience by reducing stress and losses.
- How do I set Win and Loss Limits?
- Determine an amount you are comfortable losing and an amount you aim to win. These limits should be set before starting to play and should be adhered to strictly.
- Should Win and Loss Limits be a percentage of the bankroll or a fixed amount?
- It can be either, depending on personal preference. Some players set it as a percentage of their bankroll, while others set a fixed amount.
- What should I do when I reach my Loss Limit?
- Stop playing. It’s crucial to stick to the limit to avoid chasing losses, which could lead to further financial downfall.
- What should I do when I reach my Win Limit?
- It’s advisable to stop playing when you reach your win limit to secure your profits. Continuing to play might result in losing what you’ve won.
- Can I change my Win and Loss Limits?
- It’s not advisable to change your limits once set, as it defeats the purpose of setting them in the first place. However, you may reassess and set new limits for your next gambling session.
- How can Win and Loss Limits improve my craps playing experience?
- They can help you manage your money better, keep track of your gambling behavior, and may contribute to making the gambling experience more enjoyable and less stressful.
- Can casinos assist in maintaining Win and Loss Limits?
- Some casinos offer tools or programs to help players manage their gambling behavior, such as setting deposit limits or alerting players when they’ve reached a certain threshold.
- Are there any tools available for setting Win and Loss Limits?
- Some gambling advice websites offer tools or calculators to help set and monitor win and loss limits. Additionally, some mobile apps are designed to help with bankroll management.
Setting win and loss limits and adhering to them is a practice that can significantly contribute to responsible gambling and make the gaming experience more enjoyable.
Check out some best rated rtg casino such as Sun Palace, Casino Max, or Slots Plus to play craps for money. We also have a bonus guide and some Craps FAQ.
Here are a few links to internal pages about how to play craps:
- How to play craps
- How to Properly Plan and Budget Your Gambling Vacation
- Don’t Fight a Cold Table, Adapt to It
- Know When to Quit
- Never Surrender If the Dice Don’t Cooperate
- What Does It Mean to “Color” at the Craps Table?
- Craps Rules, a bit of everything!
You can now head over to the table of contents to find more great content.
Comments 4
If you’re playing without a win limit, do you pocket every $ over your loss limit? So I set a $100 loss limit and immediately win $25, do I put that away and continue with my $100, or wait until a certain amount of profit to put away? I struggle with that one, usually just adding to my stack, not sure if I’m up or down, and eventually I’m down to $0 total. i.e. I’ve spent my $100.
Hi Brian,
That’s entirely up to you and what makes you feel comfortable. For me, it depends on several factors, including my mood and whether it’s the first day or third day of my gambling vacation. When I go to Vegas (or any gambling destination), I’m there to gamble. I don’t care about sight-seeing or shopping at outlet malls or sunning myself by the pool or anything else. So, if I happen to win $100 in the first 20 minutes of my first craps session of the first day, I probably won’t pocket that $100 profit. I’m anxious to play. I just landed at McCarran, checked into the hotel, threw my bags in the room, and hurried back down to the tables. I’m excited to play, so I’ll use all any initial winnings to play that first session as long as my $100 buy-in lasts, even if I go up $50, $75, or $100 in the first few minutes. However, if the mood strikes me and I’m lucky to win $500 in the first half hour of my first craps session, then I might pocket my $100 buy-in and save it for my next session, so my next session’s buy-in would be $200 instead of $100. Then, I’d continue playing my first session until the remaining $400 is gone, at which time, I’d quit that session. If I’m lucky, that remaining $400 will last several hours and by the time it’s gone, enough time has passed for my next session to start.
For me, my loss limit is much more important than a win limit. When I play craps, I play for the fun and excitement the game provides, not to win/earn money. If money is what I wanted, I would have stayed home and worked overtime instead of spending thousands on a Vegas vacation. So, from that perspective, why pocket a measly $25 or $50 instead of using it to do what you went to Vegas for in the first place, which is to play craps? On the other hand, if you don’t enjoy playing the game as much as I do, then you may be content pocketing a certain amount of winnings. The decision is entirely yours; no one except you can answer your question. There’s no universal right or wrong answer. What’s right for one person may be completely wrong for another. Don’t make the decision a struggle. If you’re having a blast at the table, laughing, and making new friends, why pocket the $25? Why not use your winnings to keep playing?
However, if the craps table is quiet, boring, and you’re not having as much fun as you had hoped, then, sure, go ahead and pocket the winnings. Remember, it’s entirely up to you based on how you feel at a particular time and the circumstances at that particular time.
Are you “allowed” to pocket chips and then color out later? I have heard it is generally frowned upon to “go south” in poker, but didn’t know if it held with craps also. Is it not as much of an issue since you are playing the house and not the other players?
Hi, Jared, good question! Yes, at a craps table, you can pocket as many chips as you want as often as you want. There’s no house rule or state law against “going south” or “rat holing” at a craps table in a legitimate casino. Taking money off a poker table is generally against the house rules because it messes up the table stakes. In poker, your chips are part of the game as long as you don’t leave the game. And you’re correct, it’s not a concern in craps because you’re playing strictly against the casino, not against any of the players at the table. I do it every time I experience a hot roll. All black chips (and higher) go into my pocket for three reasons: (1) It helps ensure I don’t play and potentially lose them, (2) I don’t need to try to impress anyone with my chip stack (it’s no one’s business how much money I have), and (3) I don’t have to worry about someone trying to steal them. Long ago, I thought it was cool to be seen with a rack of green and black chips, but I found myself with my left hand glued to the rack covering them for fear that some crook or drunk would try to steal them. The older I got, the wiser I got and the more I “went south.” So, go ahead and pocket your chips at a craps tables, especially the black ones.