Craps Dice Setting and Control: The 9 Best Craps Dice Sets

BetMGM May 06, 2026, 11:00 AM
min read
A close-up of two rolling red dice above a craps table.
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  • Dice control is how people rolling attempt to influence the motion of the dice.
  • Dice settings intend to avoid or produce particular results based on the situation.
  • Research shows a negligible effect over time, but players feel more comfortable exercising these aspects of craps gameplay.

Craps is one of the most exciting dice games and casino games, and is commonly found in casinos. Its social aspects and numerous wagering options make it fun to play.

There’s risk involved with the rewards, though, which has many bettors looking for ways to build a sustainable gambling bankroll as they enjoy each round. That’s where a craps dice setting comes in for many people.

If you’re inexperienced in craps, you may have many questions, like “Does dice control work?”, and if so, how to incorporate it into your game. This is a fantastic way to augment your understanding of how to play craps.

What is Dice Control?

Dice control in craps terminology refers to attempting to avoid or produce a certain outcome of a dice throw with the motion of the thrower’s arm and hand. It can also refer to how the thrower positions their fingers around the dice, along with the tension of the grip on the dice.

There are a few rules around how to throw dice in craps in most settings. Apart from that, the dice usually have to hit the back of the table. Otherwise, throwers have substantial liberty to apply their control attempts as they like.

However, the documented evidence behind controlled shooting in craps and how it impacts effectiveness reveals that thrower manipulation has no impact on actual bet outcomes. One of the most essential beginner craps tips is remembering that the casino has accounted for every potential advantage that players could attempt to gain to ensure that games are truly random in nature.

What is Dice Setting in Craps?

Novice bettors may consider craps dice combinations an advanced component of the game. The reality, though, is that true craps strategy secrets deal more with managing risk than dice configuration.

In craps, dice setting refers to the position of the dice in the thrower’s hand before they make the throw. Through the game’s long history, bettors have identified many plans in terms of how to set dice in craps to try to reduce the house edge the casino enjoys.

Like with dice control, studies show that even the best craps dice sets have no effect on outcomes over time. At the same time, there can be a legitimate upside for those interested in the balance of luck vs. skill in gambling.

Benefits of Dice Control and Setting for Bettors

Whether you’re enjoying live dealer craps, a digital version of the game using a random number generator, or playing inside a physical casino, you’re more likely to enjoy your session and make good decisions if you’re comfortable. That’s where dice control and settings can come into play.

If setting the dice a certain way and replicating a particular throwing motion assist you to play in a relaxed manner, then these aspects of play do have legitimate value to you. Avoiding playing while stressed is a key component of responsible gambling.

To enjoy that benefit, some people will practice their dice roll to build their muscle memory. Others will also study recommended settings for different situations and incorporate them to formulate the best craps strategy.

Popular Dice Settings and Frequent Uses

While there are nine well-known dice settings that are common during gameplay, several of these settings are situational in standard craps. If you’re playing crapless craps or another variant, you may not need some of them.

The 2V Set

To form the 2V Set, the thrower should place the dice faces containing the twos on top. It’s best to do this as quickly as possible to avoid breaching craps table etiquette in taking too long to complete the dice roll.

The most common situations for the 2V Set include when the desired outcomes are outside numbers like four and ten. In all online dice games, it’s important to know what results you are looking for with each play.

The 3V Set

When the circumstances call for inside numbers like five, six, eight, or nine, the 3V Set does just fine. If you’re unfamiliar with what inside and outside numbers are, a craps terminology guide is the exact resource you need.

To formulate this setting in fast-paced casino games like craps, set the dice so that the threes are on top and form a “v.” This will set the dice so that the front faces show six or eight.

The 6/5-5/4 Set

Many craps players favor this setting for avoiding an unwanted outcome rather than producing a desired result. When your dice game choices lead to needing to avoid a seven, the 6/5-5/4 set is an excellent decision.

As the name suggests, throwers should set the dice so that the dice read 6-5 on top and 5-4 on the front faces. If you’ve hedged your craps bets against the possibility of a seven, that can augment your confidence in these situations.

The 6/5-5/6 Set

The slight tweak in this setting ensures that the front faces of the dice read 5-6 instead of 5-4. This setting is common when craps come, bets are in play.

With this setting, theoretical chances of a seven are higher than when using other settings. One of the most pertinent craps goals for novice players is learning when a seven is ideal.

The All 7 Set

This is another frequently used setting on the come-out roll in craps. People who choose craps vs. baccarat are looking for a seven in this situation if they have a pass line bet active.

The name says it all in terms of how to configure this setting. Setting the dice so the top reads 1-6 and all other faces add up to seven can help with your gambling time management because it reduces the forethought you need to give in these circumstances.

The Crossed Sixes Set

With this setting, the configuration of the dice matters not just in terms of which sides are facing which direction but how those faces are aligned in comparison to each other. Of course, if you play First Person Craps, this isn’t a concern, as there are no physical dice to roll.

This setting calls for each dice to be set so that the sixes are on top, but perpendicular to each other. For people just learning a new casino game, such as craps, this setting is another bettors use to avoid a seven.

The Hardway Set

This setting is the best in terms of giving throwers options. People using popular betting systems to incorporate place bets may be especially keen to try it.

To form this setting, choose any hardway combination, like a hard 10 (fives on top). Just don’t take too long to pick a setting, or you might start to annoy sticklers for table game etiquette.

The Parallel Sixes Set

While the Crossed Sixes call for a perpendicular configuration, this setting demands that the sixes on top of the dice are parallel to each other.  If you play Craps at BetMGM regularly enough, you’ll become familiar with when this setting can be ideal.

These circumstances include when a don’t pass bet is on the line, as it’s another way to try to avoid a seven. Some people may consider live dealer craps difficult because of all the betting options, like the don’t pass. Still, a little bit of experience with settings and situations like this reveals how simple craps actually is.

The Straight Sixes Set

The alignment of the sixes gives players another option, with this setting coming from the “pips” (the dots) on the top faces forming two straight lines. This setting has a narrower range of application than other options when you’re enjoying craps at the best real money online casino.

Typical circumstances in which people use this setting include when they are looking for a certain hard way result. These side bet options are part of why some people choose craps vs. sic bo at BetMGM.

Build Your Craps Knowledge at BetMGM

BetMGM pays real money for lucky winning bets on craps games of all kinds, and has the best selection of craps experiences available online. It’s a way to gain valuable experience in many aspects of the game so that you can focus on improving your dice control and building your familiarity with dice settings when you play the game offline.

In the meantime, you can benefit from the best casino rewards program through BetMGM and many other benefits of being a BetMGM customer. Those rewards are yours regardless of how your luck holds on your craps wagers.

To take advantage of all these offers, register for BetMGM and choose from among the thousands of ways to play. In any situation, BetMGM is the ideal setting.