Problem: Article: Craps is a game of chance, but you can use statistics to figure out how to place your bets. You win in craps on the first roll if you roll a 7 or an 11. The combinations that will result in a 7 are 1-6, 2-5, and 3-4. Because there are two dice, you need to multiply the number of combinations by 2 (3 x 2), giving you a total of 6 out of 36 chances, or 17%, that you will roll a 7 on the first roll. An 11 is only made by rolling a 6-5, so the total number of chances you'll get an 11 is 2 out of 36, or 5.5%. To find out the overall probability of winning on your first roll, add 1/6 and 1/18, which makes your overall probability of rolling a winning number on the first roll 8/36, or 22%. Look out for rolls of 2, 3, and 12. These are considered the natural losing numbers in craps and no matter what you bet, you lose if these numbers are rolled. Don't worry too much, though, because the likelihood of each of these numbers being rolled is 1/36, or 2.7%. The pass line is where you bet for the roll of 7 or 11 on the first roll. You can start by bidding the pass line, which will win you money 22% of the time on your first roll if you roll a 7 or 11. This can be a nice way to gently build yourself up to betting higher. If you don't want to bet the pass line, you can bet on the point numbers. Point numbers are the numbers that aren't natural winners and losers, which are the 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10. When your first roll doesn't automatically win or lose, you end up with a point number, which you have to roll one additional time to win. 6s and 8s are the most probable point numbers, and these numbers will be more likely to win you money than any of the other point numbers. There is a 10/36, 27%, chance that your point number will be either a 6 or an 8. Your chances decrease once a point number is rolled, with the odds of 5/36, or 13.8%, that you will get the matching point number. Even if these odds seem low, they are the highest for any point numbers. The chances of you winning with a 5 or 9 is 4/36, or 11%, and with a 4 or 10 is 3/36, or 8.3%. These are much lower than the 13.8% chance that you'll win off the 6 or the 8. Even if you're on a losing streak, following the odds will likely pay out in the long-run, regardless of short-term losses. Odds will always even themselves out, but that process may be much longer than you anticipate. If you have plenty of money to burn, playing against the odds can be a fun risk to take.
Summary: Compute the odds in Craps. Bet the pass line. Bet on 6s or 8s. Work the odds.

Problem: Article: This includes things like flashlights, electrical lanterns, batteries, candles, lighters, and matches. When choosing candles, try to get a pillar candle. They will be less likely to get knocked over, and will last much longer than stick candles. Batteries expire. Check your stash every year and throw out any that have leaked or expired. Candles made from liquid paraffin are smokeless and odorless. They are great for indoors. Get some of those solar-powered garden lights. Charge them during the day, then use them at night. You can hold them, or prop them up in jars. Glow sticks don't offer much light (at least not enough to read by) but they can be fun to play with. This way, when the power goes out, you can still use your electronic readers, music players, and movie players. You might even want to get one of those portable chargers for your electronics. This way, when your electronic runs out of battery power, you can plug it into the portable charger, and enjoy it for a little bit longer. Try to keep everything in one box. This way, you will have everything on hand during the next black out. If you have small children, consider making this a "special blackout box." Young children seem to find anything that comes out of a "special" box more exciting to play with. Listed below are some crafty items you might want to consider having: Sketch books, coloring books, activity books, or notebooks Pens, pencils, coloring pencils, crayons, or markers Scrapbooks and scrap-booking supplies Glitter and glue Glow-in-the-dark paints Colorful yarn, knitting needles/crochet hooks This will make the toy feel like new each time the kid plays with it. Some examples of special toys include: A special light-up toy that the kid can draw on or play with A packet of glow-sticks is a safe bet for just about any child Glow-in-the-dark paint and glitter will make even nighttime crafting fun Arts and crafts kits
Summary: Have some source of light ready. Keep your electronics charged at all times. Have some arts and crafts items on hand. Have some special toys that the kid only gets to use during blackouts.

Problem: Article: A person can be nice to you and enjoy spending time with you without having a romantic relationship in mind, which can sometimes be confusing. Don't assume that just because a girl is showing interest in you it is necessarily a romantic interest. Signs of romantic interest can often be subtle, and it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with what to look for before you consider taking any further action. Some girls will just come right out and tell you if they are interested in you as more than a friend, which is obviously the easiest way to determine romantic interest. While this reveal might be uncomfortable in the moment, this scenario is actually ideal, because it naturally facilitates an open discussion about the issue, which will give you the opportunity to express your own feelings (or lack thereof). Not everyone is comfortable with this type of direct communication, however, so you can't assume that just because she hasn't said anything that her intentions are purely platonic. Our bodies will often unknowingly give us away when we are romantically interested in someone. While no two people's behaviors of attraction will be exactly the same, there are a few common things you'll want to keep an eye out for when trying to figure out if a girl likes you. Eye contact: This can either be steady, or shy and coquettish. Our pupils will also dilate when we look at someone we like, as the brain is letting more light in so that we can more easily gather information about them. Mirroring behavior: When we are attracted to someone, often we will subconsciously mimic his or her mannerisms or way of speaking. Physical closeness: Usually we prefer people to be at least three feet away from us in social settings. When we like someone, however, the need for this distance diminishes. Posture: We tend to lean in towards people we like, and we'll often sit or stand with our bodies turned slightly in their direction. We'll also do things to make our posture more inviting or open, such as uncrossing our knees or arms. Body temperature: Our body temperature tends to increase when we are in the presence of someone whom we're romantically interested in. We can become flushed and will inadvertently do things to help ourselves cool off. A man might roll up his sleeves or adjust his collar, while a woman may gather her hair away from the nape of her neck. Preening: Women, specifically, will often touch their hair without realizing it. It's actually a rather primitive impulse; the small movement of lifting the hand to one's head is enough to draw attention without being obvious. Attention span: Things we are genuinely interested in have the ability to hold our attention for longer spans of time, which is also the case for people we have a special interest in. Touching: Human touch releases a bonding hormone called oxytocin in our brains. When we like someone, we are compelled to touch him or her. Friends will touch each other while having a conversation, but with a romantic interest, the touching is often more frequent and lingering.
Summary:
Differentiate between friendly behaviors and romantic overtures. Read her lips. Evaluate her body language.