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What about biased dice?
As is customary in our Dicebusters workshops, we include
an in-casino session for our participants, giving them a
chance to try out some of the unique playing strategies
that we have designed for the group.
It was during our casino session this past June that
Michael Vernon, The Professor, asked our table dealer if
the casino was using biased dice. The dealer's response
made me chuckle and went something like this:
Michael said, turning to the closest dealer
"Sir, are your casinos using biased dice?"
With a scratch on the head, the dealer replied,
"I don't know what you mean?"
To which, Michael repeated, "Sir, is your table
using biased dice, you know, are your dice loaded?"
With a big smile, our dealer replied, "Well, I'm
not sure about the dice but I'm pretty sure the dealers
here are loaded!" ..............Bada bing...
All kidding aside, it is interesting how we all share
differing views about the subject of "bias dice" in Las
Vegas. I've had a number of conversations over the past
couple of years with some very savvy dice players. Some
swear they experience this phenomenon, while others feel
it just does not exist.
I maintain a healthy respect for all the players on both
sides of this issue, and have given some serious thought
to this whole bias dice issue.
There are players out there with lengthy playing
experience who say they are spotting a trend that they
attribute to biased dice. For me to suggest that I do
not believe them or to try to disprove their theory is
just not my place. We are all entitled to our beliefs
and opinions when it comes to discussing this game, and
should be free to discuss our theories and anecdotal
evidence with others in the dice community. We should
also feel just as free to accept or reject those same
experiences as part of our own reality.
When dice control or influence was first introduced back
in the 90's, very few people believed it could actually
work. Over time, the theories and possibilities gathered
energy and like-minded players believed it worked for
them.
Twenty years later, dice setting is an accepted and
respected practice. Today the idea that "maybe it could
work", has evolved into an acceptance that physical dice
manipulation can be an advantage play. For those who
don't believe in "dice control/influence" I am certain
they look for other ways to win at the game. Dice
influence is but one aspect of the dice game. Other
aspects of the game like betting approaches, table
selection and bankroll considerations, also play an
important role in any craps session. All these aspects
of the game are inter-related when it comes to a winning
session.
Whether the changes the bias-dice researchers are seeing
are truly due to an intentional conspiracy by the
casinos, perhaps forced by the changing economy, or just
poor manufacturing, I don't know. Will these changes
influence the consciousness of the dice player as a
result? Again, I don't know. What I do know is that it
is all part of our evolutionary gaming process.
How do we use this information in our game? How do we
take all we know and package it to our advantage? I am
sure we each have different answers to these questions.
Still, the results witnessed in the game provide us with
feedback. It is not about right or wrong answers. The
feedback is simply an indicator of a direction we wish
to head toward, consciously or not.
When dice influencing entered the consciousness of the
craps player, the game changed on a broader level. Has
it reached critical mass? Maybe. Yet, I am not sure the
introduction of the idea of biased dice will have as
much impact on the broader craps playing consciousness.
I find it interesting that there are readers out there
that have such a low opinion about those who believe in
the possibility of biased dice. Each side should not
feel the need to defend what they believe.
I would like to feel that this subject is all about
growth. We are all just sharing our ideas and our
experiences; however far-fetched they may seem to some.
We all should be doing whatever it takes to win. If
believing a bias of some sort allows that particular
player to achieve a winning attitude, then more power to
them. However, if those that believe in bias dice
attribute their losing solely to their existence, then
they are denying all other possibilities surrounding the
game. To those blaming bias dice for their losses, I
would suggest they stop playing the game because they
have, in a sense, "shot themselves in the foot"
instilling a belief in their approach that they no
longer have an exploitable advantage, and it has become
true for them during the game. It is a "set up" of their
own making, and they are bound for failure. This player
has given up their playing power with the game. Simply
stated, if the player believes it they will see it.
If a player believes casinos are introducing mildly
crooked dice into the game, then why play? That is just
not fun. Remember the saying that has been circulated so
many times over, "when the game is not fun, it is time
to run". It is one thing to continue to harp on about an
unfair game and all things the evil casinos are doing to
their patrons. It is quite another issue to see how a
group who shares this belief overcomes it to win. This
is the question I am asking: For those players who now
entertain the idea of the existence of biased dice
games, how does a player capitalize on this "trend"?
In all my years of playing, I have no direct experience
with this particular perceived phenomenon. Therefore am
unable and not motivated at this time to expand on the
subject. However, if there are players who feel this is
a possibility turned probability within their realm of
gaming reality, I know plenty of good people they can
share ideas with.
Have a great summer everyone.
Soft Touch
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If you think of a casino as your bank, you should know that the casino thinks of you the same way. - From Wit & Wisdom To Help You Win, by John Gollehon - |
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