Crapshooters flock to books that explain dice control

16 April 2009

By Howard Schwartz

In the past few years the controversy about whether a shooter can control the dice and produce advantageous numbers has increased. Authors and experts now offer lessons, seminars, DVDs and books on the subject. So far the house has not demanded shooters roll the dice in special cups rather than by hand, which tells you to some degree, they're not yet in fear of those who show this unique skill with consistency.

Yet the public remains fascinated with the concept.

Gamblers have known about ways to "slide" dice and "blanket roll" for many years. A 1982 book titled Dice: Squares, Tops and Shapes by Burton Williams explains the concept of dice control and Scarne on Dice, originally published in 1945 (now in its eighth edition), discusses "the whip shot," the "Greek shot," the "twist shot" and the "spin shot" among others.

Recent years find many new books that cover the concept of the controlled roll, and here are three of them should you wish to become a student. Each has an interesting title as well:

Rolling Thunder: A Scientific Study of Dice Control by Malcomb Bennett (192 pages, paperbound, $21.95) contains sixteen illustrated chapters including the author's personal field-test (49 pages of what went right or wrong at various Las Vegas casinos). The author analyzes various ways to grip the dice and shares his observations on how some players have learned to reduce their number of "random" throws. He does conclude that "presetting dice" can reduce sevens. Published in 2008.

The Mad Professor's Crapshooting Bible by Tino Gambino (320 pages, paperbound, $29.95). Published by Pi Yee Press (Stanford Wong), it contains 10 chunky chapters, including those on the grip, the throw, practice, setting the dice, bankroll, bet size, actual casino play, the short table and adapting to it, the "micofiber" table surface (which adds to table randomness). One fascinating fact is to have clean hands if you're the shooter (not because your mother told you to, but because it affects the grip and consistency). Published in 2006.

The Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution! (Win at Craps Using a Controlled Throw) by Frank Scoblete and Dominator (265 pages, paperbound, $16.95) contains 23 chapters and five-dozen illustrations. Discusses and details the physical elements of what the authors call The Golden Touch, Dice Sets, Grabs, Grips and Pickups and delivering the dice to the back wall of the table. Those interested in "team play" will find value here.