Alligator Rose and Doc have noticed that many GTC members make some minor adjustments to The Big Skinny (TBS) as originally developed by, who else but the great Skinny. Just wondering what others do.

Rose and Doc have been experimenting with how we count our "8 paydays" before we begin to press our bets. The method we use lets us begin to press a little sooner while at the same time protecting your bankroll. So here is what we do–a little something we observed Mr. Pip doing in AC when we visited with him about "counting" the eight paydays. We find that it works best–and the only time we use this method–is when you have 5 times or more in odds on all box numbers. So we don’t use in Vegas on the strip with 3, 4, 5 times odds. With this assumption, we assume a $10 table and we will begin each number with $50 in odds for a total of $60 on each box number as each box number gets covered through the come line. We use only come betting.

When you do get a box number established and hit it for a payday, here is the way we count our paydays:

1. Hit a 6 or 8 for a payday, you are paid $70 which goes into the rack with a $10 profit. This hit counts as one payday of the eight paydays we want before we begin to press. Every 6 or 8 hit from that point on counts as one hit/payday.

2. Hit a 5 or 9 payday you are paid $85 which goes into chip rail with a $25 profit. We count each 5 or 9 payday as 1 1/2 pay days. Going forward each pay day on these two numbers counts as 1 ½ paydays. Should you have two pay days on a 5 or 9 you now have put $170 in the chip rail—2 X 85 = 170. Any three box numbers with a $60 bet will be a total $180. So, any 2 hits on these numbers covers 3 bets with a small $10 deficit—something we can certainly live with. We also place a quarter or $.50 piece in the rack to keep track of the ½ payday.

3. We do a similar thing on the 4 and 10—and count any payday on these numbers as two hits in getting to eight hits before pressing. So with one hit we put $110 in the chip rail for a $50 profit, covering all but $10 of any two $60 bets ($120) on the table. Again we can live with this.

Assuming we hit a couple of 6’s or 8’s we are making a $10 profit on each hit, this helps to cover the $10 deficit of any outside box number. In addition, should you make your point, on a following come out roll that goes to a box number where we already have a bet, we put a $10 profit in the rail. When you cover eight numbers counting your paydays this way, you will have a small profit.

You are protecting your bank roll, while at the same time being able to begin to press a little earlier. Also, if you should have a quick 7 out, you will not be hurt bad at all. We often get to our definition of eight hits (eight box numbers covered) within 10 to 14 rolls of the dice—sometimes less. We do love to press a little earlier.

The things we want to stress using TBS are as follows:

1. Use come bets—they have the lowest house advantage.
2. Protect your bank roll at all times.
3. Don’t get greedy—grind it out like the casino does.
4. Do not press until you have 8 paydays so you have a small profit in the chip rail.

Comments on this idea (in agreement or disagreement) are always welcome. Also posting of any other variation to TBS you use is welcome as well.

Skinny your thoughts?

Rose and Doc

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