| It's interesting to note the variety of dice-tossing | | | | to the arm bone at the elbow joint. These are the |
| styles you'll encounter over your craps-playing life. | | | | irritating shooters because they seemingly take |
| Some are plain and boring, weird and funny, and | | | | forever. Everyone else at the table is anxious for the |
| others are downright irritating. Which style is yours? | | | | next roll, but these clowns who think they're dice |
| It's interesting to note the variety of dice-tossing | | | | doctors or dice wizards (or whatever they call |
| styles you'll encounter over your craps-playing life. | | | | themselves) delay the game by taking their weird |
| Some are plain and boring, weird and funny, and | | | | grips instead of just picking up the dice and tossing |
| other are downright irritating. Ever really thought | | | | them. |
| about it? How many ways can you reach down, pick | | | | Some people gently tap the tabletop before tossing. |
| up the dice, and toss them to the other end of the | | | | That's okay as long as it's just a tap. If you knock or |
| table? If you've played enough craps, you've seen it | | | | bang the dice, the boxman will politely ask you to |
| all. | | | | refrain. If you don't heed his request, the next time |
| The casino has strict rules for handling and tossing | | | | he won't be so polite. Personally, I'm a tapper. Also, I |
| dice, which are the subject of an upcoming article. I'll | | | | like to flash an empty hand just before picking up the |
| mention four of them so you'll understand the basics. | | | | dice. As I reach down for them, I quickly turn my |
| Handle the dice with only one hand. Never bring the | | | | palm up, flash open my fingers so they (and the |
| dice outside the imaginary plane that extends up | | | | camera) can see my hand is empty, grab the dice, |
| from the edge of the table (i.e., always keep the dice | | | | and smoothly toss them. It's an instantaneous, fluid |
| inside the table). Don't toss the dice higher the height | | | | motion just long enough for the crew to see my |
| of the dealers. And smoothly toss the dice so they | | | | empty hand, but quick enough that most players |
| both hit the back wall (i.e., the wall at the other end | | | | don't notice it and don't realize what I'm doing. (I'm |
| of the table). If you follow these simple rules, you'll | | | | making the dealers' and Surveillance team's jobs |
| do just fine. | | | | easier by showing an empty hand before touching |
| Let's start with the grip. Most people simply reach | | | | the dice.) |
| down, pick up the dice, and hold them in their palm or | | | | Some people puff on the dice for luck. That's okay, |
| between their fingers. Not some people. Some | | | | too, as long as you don't use two hands, don't bring |
| believe their lucky grip will result in a winning number, | | | | the dice outside the imaginary plane, and don't spit on |
| while others believe they can control the outcome of | | | | the dice (accidentally or otherwise). |
| their tosses so taking a precise grip is the first step | | | | Some people throw the dice low and hard so they |
| in their wacky routines. For example, there's the | | | | bounce all over the place after hitting the back wall. |
| ice-tong grip, lock grip, 5-finger grip, 2-finger front | | | | Avoid doing this because it increases the likelihood |
| diagonal grip, flying-V grip, stacked grip, 3-finger front | | | | that a die will fly off the table causing the game to |
| grip, 3-finger front diagonal grip, 2-finger pincer grip, | | | | be delayed. |
| and many more. (Seriously, I'm not making this up!) | | | | Some people toss them so weakly that they barely |
| And don't forget, before taking one of those grips, | | | | hit the back wall. Although you don't want to throw |
| they must properly position the dice with the precise | | | | them like a Major League pitcher, you should avoid |
| alignment and orientation. For example, the 6 on one | | | | feeble, pathetic tosses. Smoothly toss them so they |
| die must be oriented so the pips (i.e., the dots on a | | | | bounce off the tabletop and then hit the back wall. If |
| die are called "pips") are parallel to the tabletop and | | | | you've never tossed dice, you'll get the hang of it |
| the number must be adjacent to the 3 on the other | | | | after just a few throws. |
| die, and the pips on the 3 must be oriented so they | | | | So, what's your technique? Whatever it is, be |
| go diagonally upward to the right. (Again, I'm not | | | | considerate of other players and the dealers. Don't |
| making this stuff up!) After they've achieved perfect | | | | take forever finding your precise grip. Don't throw |
| alignment with the heavens and stars, they take their | | | | them so hard they continually fly off the table. Don't |
| grip. But they don't just pick up the dice, they must | | | | spit on them as part of your puffing routine. Don't |
| slowly and gently place their fingers on them and | | | | aim for the chip stacks at the other end of the table |
| precisely measure the pressure applied to each die | | | | (chips fly everywhere and the dealers have to |
| using the delicate pressure sensors in their fingertips. | | | | remember where they all go). Don't hit the mirror on |
| Finally, with the exact dice alignment and finger | | | | the side of table (casino dice are hard with sharp |
| pressure, the shooter launches the dice toward the | | | | points and angles, so don't break their mirror). A |
| end of the table contorting their wrist, arm, shoulder, | | | | smooth toss so the dice gently hit the back wall and |
| and torso. I've often wondered how some people | | | | stay on the table is all you need. |
| don't throw out their shoulders or keep from tearing | | | | Now you know! Remember, learn how to play craps |
| the tendons that attach the muscles of the forearm | | | | the right way. |