| Updated: One of the most interesting and controversial topics in gambling, particularly in the game of craps, is advantage play. Some craps players, along with many inexperienced gamblers, believe there is a genuine and reliable way to alter the odds of the game and gain an advantage over the casino. The mathematics of the game, however, does not support this idea because craps is an entirely random game.
So, is it possible to shift the odds in the player’s favor? Those who use progressive betting systems rely on predicting the outcomes of dice rolls. Other players claim they can set and throw the dice in a way that influences the result. In the past, cheating was also common among gamblers who tampered with the dice or replaced the casino’s dice with rigged ones. Today, casinos have implemented various measures to detect and deter cheating. However, does that mean advantage play is impossible in craps?
Controlled Shooting
The only way to gain a real advantage over the house in any gambling game is to adjust the odds. In craps, this can’t be achieved through a betting strategy; theoretically, it’s possible only by using some form of controlled shooting. However, this topic is highly controversial in craps literature. While some authors claim that dice control, dice setting, or rhythmic rolling is possible, many researchers argue it’s merely a sales gimmick.
According to proponents of dice control, skilled players can learn how to set and grip the dice, as well as how to throw them. The idea is to reduce the randomness of the dice at least slightly, and some players even claim they can roll their desired number 90 percent of the time. Shooters list various ways they believe they can influence a roll. Of course, this applies only to land-based casinos – dice manipulation is out of the question in online craps.
Dice Sliding
Rhythmic RollingDice Sliding
The so-called “dice sliding” technique involves carefully sliding the dice along the felt rather than throwing them forcefully, which would randomize the roll. Theoretically, this should help the shooter control the outcome. Dice control is not illegal in itself, but it is typically not allowed by casinos.
Casinos usually have specific rules for throwing the dice, and players must follow them to continue playing. Shooters are required to toss the dice hard enough to make them hit the opposite side of the table or the rubber or foam pyramids lining one of the inside walls of the craps table. When the dice bounce off the bumpy, uneven wall, they are more likely to change their initial trajectory and speed.
Moreover, most modern craps tables feature a slightly raised printed layout, making sliding virtually impossible. Even if players find a table with older felt and a smooth betting layout, staff will quickly notice if they try to slide the dice instead of throwing them properly. In some casinos, such a roll is deemed invalid. Others may allow it, but players will be warned not to attempt it again.
Rhythmic Rolling
Most craps players who claim they can gain an edge over the casino rely on dice setting, a technique some authors call rhythmic rolling. Unlike sliding, the dice are actually tossed, rolling and bouncing off surfaces until they come to rest. There are multiple techniques, and every player swears by a different method for setting and throwing the dice. Most of these approaches share three core elements: setting the dice, gripping them, and throwing them.
One straightforward method, according to dice-control enthusiasts, is to hold the dice with the numbers you want facing up. You then move your hand so the dice can rattle while maintaining their orientation, and when you release them, they land as intended. Obviously, this requires extensive practice, and its effectiveness is debatable. It might fool your friends in a home game, but it would not be accepted in a casino.
Another popular setup is the V-shape, in which players hold the dice so the two 3s form a V. From this position, shooters practice rolling specific numbers consistently or avoiding a 7, for instance. It is also important to consider the grip. Players should hold the dice with enough control but minimal finger contact. Different styles suit different players depending on hand size: the three-finger top, three-finger front, four-finger diagonal, and five-finger top are all possible variations.
More importantly, players should learn to handle the dice smoothly; turning and rolling them should feel effortless. Once players feel the dice moving comfortably in their hands, they may be able to manipulate them quickly without being noticed. Most “rhythmic rollers” keep the dice close together, forming a rectangle aligned with the table’s vertical axis. When released, the dice should move only forward while rotating on their left-right axis.
Another key aspect of dice control is its legal status. Although it is not illegal per se, just as card counting in blackjack is not illegal, some jurisdictions do consider it a form of cheating. Before experimenting with controlled shooting, players should research the rules in their jurisdiction.
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Cheating at Craps
In addition to the “honest” forms of cheating in craps such as dice sliding and controlled shooting, some gamblers still resort to outright cheats when they play in live casinos. However, this is relatively uncommon because casinos have adopted extensive safeguards against dishonest and criminal practices. Still, cheating was once the norm – both players and dealers employed a wide range of tricks to turn a profit.
Unfortunately, some of these cheats still persist, and the rise of online casinos has spawned even more sophisticated ways to exploit the games. Over the past two decades, there have been numerous instances of online players using software to access in-game information – for example, seeing opponents’ cards in poker. Similar attempts have been made in online blackjack, craps, and other games. Today, however, reputable gambling sites employ state-of-the-art firewalls, encryption, and other technologies to secure their software and safeguard user data and other sensitive information.
Fixed, Rigged or Loaded Dice Past Posting Lying to the DealersFixed, Rigged or Loaded Dice
One of the most popular ways to gain an advantage when playing craps was tampering with the dice. Physical manipulation can give players some control over each roll. In the past, players and even casino employees were known to add or remove weights from the dice so certain numbers would appear more often than others. Another infamous trick was to shave some sides of the dice, making the roll neither fair nor random.
Of course, these methods are largely obsolete because casinos have taken serious measures to prevent players from swapping in loaded dice. For instance, most casinos use dice bearing their logo, similar to the logos found on chips. Each die also carries a serial number that matches the numbers on the other dice at that particular table. Casino dice are also transparent or semi-transparent, so even a slight imbalance or impurity is readily apparent.
In addition, attempts at dice manipulation are likely to be detected because modern casinos employ surveillance systems. If a dealer, boxman, or pit boss suspects a player of cheating, that player will be closely observed while security cameras record every move.
Past Posting
Past posting refers to placing a bet on the table after the dice have already come to rest. This was once a popular and effective way to cheat because of the game’s pace. Unlike most casino games, craps often involves more than a dozen players, and everything happens very quickly. It can be quite confusing to a novice: some players win, others lose, and another player shoots the dice. Chips may be placed on the table by the players themselves or by the stickman.
To the untrained eye, a craps game can look chaotic, loud, and messy. In that environment, a player might try to slip chips onto the layout after the dice have come to rest. This is not allowed, but it was relatively common in the past before casinos adopted strict anti-cheating measures. Today, past posting is still possible, but anyone who tries it is usually caught almost immediately.
Lying to the Dealers
Certain craps wagers cannot be placed directly on the betting layout because they have no designated boxes. The selection of available bets varies by casino, so players should know in advance which wagers are offered. One of the most notable cheating methods targets this category, usually the hop bets.
On a hop wager, players bet on a particular combination of the dice. For example, they can tell the dealer “3 and 5 on the hop,” meaning they are betting on the 3-5 combination. Because these bets are usually announced verbally, a cheater can later claim to have called a hop bet after the dice have landed. The player might insist that the dealer did not hear the call or misunderstood it. Given how loud a craps table can be, such confusion is possible.