For many years we had an Axis Power Craps forum member known as “Big Kahnman” who loved to play around with different betting systems in the casino. Big K was partial to one system that’s been around for years – reportedly developed by a graveyard shift dealer from Harrah’s – another “big” guy known as Big Al.
According to the story, Big Al would pass the time trying to come up with unique betting strategies for casino craps. Then he’d test them out playing with “mental” bets whenever the game was active. The Army System was the product of one of those sessions.
The Army System begins with bets on both the four and the ten. You can start with as little as $5 on each. According to the system, every bet must be parlayed to the next number on the layout as the bets “march” from the four to the ten or vice versa. A completed Army March pays the shooter a $1500 win. Obviously, this doesn’t happen often. But Big Khanman used to claim that he’s see the system work at least once on every marathon playing session. It was his favorite way to “toke” the dealers. Here is the progression:
Begin with $5 each on the four and. If and when one of those numbers hits it will pay $9. Drop $1 on the layout and instruct the dealer to move all of your action from the four and ten to the number adjacent to the point that just rolled, either the five or nine. This will give you a total of $20 on one of those numbers. Wait for the next decision.
If and when your point is rolled the dealer will pay you $28. Tell the dealer to take the $28 plus your $20 action on the layout and march it to the six or eight – whichever is next on the layout. You will then have $48 placed on that point.
If and when that point rolls the dealer will pay you $56. Lock up $2 of the win and tell the dealer to take the remaining chips and place the next number up or down the line – either the six or eight – for $102.
When that number rolls the dealer will pay you $119. You lock up $1 and tell the dealer to “march” your bets on over to the five or nine, whichever is next in the series. You will have a total of $220 action on the next roll.
When the five or none hit it will pay $308. At this point you lock up $8 and buy the next number in the series – the four or ten – for $500. If the number you bought rolls now you will have completed the Army March and collect $1500 and down.
While this novelty strategy requires a great deal of patience, its low entry level makes it suitable for many players. For my money it falls into the “entertainment bet” category – one I don’t hold out a lot of hope of winning. Then again, how many times to you see the All, Tall, Small bet hit? It can definitely be a fun side bet to utilize in addition to your standard betting routine. Just don’t go crazy and start chasing it.
