Is dice control actually possible? 5v1s5a

7 June 2025

By Jerry Stickman

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Hi Stickman,

I am an avid craps player. I love the action, the variety of bets, and the camaraderie with other players at the table. On occasion other players at my table have a very different style of throwing. Rather than the normal shaking of the dice in the hand and tossing them down the table, they set the dice a certain way, pick them up in a strange fashion and very gently throw them to the back wall. The dice usually hit the back wall, but not always.

I am told that this is a telltale sign of “dice control.” I must say that in general these players tend to do about the same as everyone else around the table. Craps is a game of streaks. The “dice control” players I see, have the same streaks as everyone else.

My question? Is dice control actually possible? Hitting the back wall with all the diamonds has a randomizing effect on the dice. Is it really possible for a dice shooter to overcome that?

I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts.

Jamen

Hi Jamen,

Dice control (or probably more accurately perhaps – dice influencing) has been around for many years.

Whether it is real, or even possible, has been the subject of many hot debates over those years.

There are a few apparently viable businesses that teach dice control – for a price. Most of these promoters will openly state that it is difficult to develop and maintain the skill necessary to control (or influence) the dice, but that it can be done.

If you are asking this question because you are considering trying to master dice control, there are a few things to consider before embarking on this journey – and it is a journey.

As with any thing that depends on physical activity, throwing the dice well enough to gain an edge takes a lot of practice. In essence, the person throwing the dice is a pitcher. He or she must be able to throw (pitch) the dice set exactly the same way, at exactly the same speed and distance so they land in exactly the same place each and every throw. This is not a skill that comes easily. It is also a skill that can deteriorate rapidly if not practiced regularly.

I have seen a few people who showed the necessary skills to tilt the house edge a bit toward themselves – but there were very few.

In general, pit personnel do not worry about dice control as long as players do not take too long to set the dice and they hit the back wall with both dice. But, if someone is extremely consistent with the set and delivery the box man will usually start doing things to try to change up the delivery or fluster the shooter. He may tell the player to hurry up, or hit the back wall harder, or hit it higher up, or various other tactics to break the thrower’s concentration.

While casinos may not like to it it, their actions speak louder than words if a truly skilled thrower is at their tables. If you think you have the physical skill to deliver consistent results and the drive to spend hours a week practicing, give it a try. If not, you are better off just betting the lowest house edge bets at the craps table and hoping for the best.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and tiny.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can Jerry “Stickman” at [email protected]