Craps is a sought-after traditional and online casino game of chance — but did you know that some gamblers believe there are indeed ways to influence the outcome of each roll of the dice? The secret, according to these gamblers, is using complex dice setting and control techniques. Read on for details regarding how dice setting and control works and whether it’s legal. Plus, discover nine of the best dice sets to try for yourself.
What Is Craps Dice Setting and Dice Control?
Craps dice setting and control are both ways to try and gain the “edge” when playing the game, and players usually use them in conjunction with each other. Many seasoned craps players believe certain craps dice sets and control techniques can influence the outcome of a roll. Dice setting occurs when a player arranges the dice in a specific way before rolling them, and dice control refers to how the player throws the dice to try to control how they land.
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the art of dice setting and dice control. So, you’re probably wondering whether it’s considered cheating. While dice setting isn’t illegal, casinos may have rules about how players can throw the dice. For example, the dice usually have to hit the table’s back wall, which introduces enough randomness to negate some control. Casinos are aware of dice control techniques and watch for consistent patterns that might indicate a player is attempting to control the dice. Some casinos might ask the players suspected of dice setting or control to leave the floor if it violates the casino’s rules.
Can You Control Dice in Craps?
There are various techniques for dice setting, each with its pros and cons. In most cases, players choose a particular set of numbers to face up, aligning the dice in their hands in a specific manner for each roll.
As for dice control, popular techniques include controlled grip, arm motion, release, and landing of the dice. Players often practice their throws, aiming for consistency in speed, rotation, and angle of descent.
What Are the Best Craps Dice Sets?
If you’re interested in exploring some go-to craps dice sets used by many of the gambling greats, here are nine of the best to practice and put to the test.
1. The Hardways Set
In the Hardways Set, the dice are set so the hardway numbers (4, 6, 8, and 10) face up. This means the pairs 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 are on the top faces of the dice. The goal? To reduce your chances of rolling that dreaded seven.
2. The 3V Set
When using the 3V Set, you need to arrange the dice so the threes are visible in a “V” formation when viewed from above. This means the numbers 3-3 are facing up, with the numbers 2-5, 4-1, and 6-6 on the surrounding faces. Along with avoiding the seven, players using this set usually strive to roll sixes and eights.
3. The All-7 Set
In this set, you need to arrange the dice so that the configurations of numbers adding up to seven are on the adjacent sides of the dice. This typically means setting the dice so that the 3-4, 2-5, and 6-1 combinations align around the dice. This should be your default set when the goal is to roll a seven to “seven out” or during the come-out roll.
4. The 2V Set
Want to roll a five or a nine? Then it’s time to try the 2V Set. This is when you set the dice so that the numbers two and five face up, creating a “V” pattern when the dice are side by side. The configurations on the visible faces of the dice will typically include the pairs 2-2, 1-5, 3-3, and 6-6.
5. Crossed Sixes Set
This is another popular dice set to avoid the seven, focusing on rolling sixes. The key is to arrange the dice so the sixes cross each other when viewed from above. This generally means setting the dice with the 6-6 on the top faces, accompanied by other configurations like 1-1, 2-5, and 3-4 on the surrounding faces.
6. The Flying V Set
The Flying V Set might also help you avoid throwing a seven when you’re trying to maintain the point number. It works by arranging the dice so that when placed side by side, they form a “V” shape. You can get this right by setting the dice with 1-6 and 2-5 facing up, accompanied by the configurations of 3-4 and 3-4 on the adjacent faces.
7. The Outside Numbers Set
This set is great for avoiding sevens and, instead, rolling numbers like four, five, nine, and 10 (the outside numbers — hence the name). You’ll need to arrange the dice to highlight the outside numbers, ensuring the 4-5 and 3-6 combinations are facing up, with the other faces showing 3-6 and 4-5.
8. The Inside Numbers Set
Unlike the Outside Numbers Set, the Inside Numbers Set concentrates on hitting the inside numbers: five, six, eight, and nine. You can do this by setting the dice with the 2-3 and 4-5 combinations facing up, with the other visible faces showing 4-5 and 2-3.
9. The 6-8 Set
This set is excellent if your goal is to roll — you guessed it — sixes or eights, which are common point numbers in craps. You need to set the dice so the 2-2, 1-5, 6-6, and 3-3 face on the top and sides.
Remember, while these dice sets are popular among players who practice dice control, there’s no scientific evidence to prove any dice setting technique consistently affects the outcome of a roll in a statistically significant way, especially under standard casino conditions — and that’s regardless of whether you’re an experienced player or a craps beginner. These sets are part of a strategy some players enjoy experimenting with, but the outcomes in craps are still fundamentally rooted in chance.
Dice Setting and Online Casino Craps
No. These craps strategies and techniques only apply to live craps games inside traditional casinos. That’s because online casino craps relies on random number generators rather than dice to simulate dice rolls. Plus, you don’t have access to the physical dice, so there’s no way you can control how you set or throw them.
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