Craps: Dice Sets & Dice Setting For The Controlled Shooter

There are now studies demonstrating that how the dice are set before tossing them will have a statistically significant impact on the outcome of the dice roll. By itself, this isn’t enough for the average craps shooter to make a difference in achieving success at the craps tables. But, for the Controlled Shooter, dice setting is the cornerstone to taking advantage of signature numbers and being able to flip the probabilities in their favor.

Dice Setting: The way dice are positioned prior to griping and tossing them. Dice Sets are identified by the number showing on top and in front of the dice. (IE. 6/5 means the 6 is on top and the 5 faces the throwing direction.)

By combining ‘Dice Setting’ with the other components of a ‘Controlled Throw’, a practiced Controlled Shooter can keep the dice on axis through the air, landing softly and remaining ‘on axis’ for the result.

For more on becoming a ‘Controlled Shooter’ go to the ADVANCED section.

Being able to do this, effectively eliminates 20 of the 36 total outcomes of the dice using normal probabilities. You can see the advantages this would give the ‘Controlled Shooter’ by eliminating, or even just reducing, the appearance of the seven while they’re shooting. Using normal probabilities, the seven appears, on average, 6 out of every 36 rolls. Removing even 1 of those appearances completely flips the probabilities and house edge at the tables.

Even more importantly, Controlled Shooters use dice setting to, not only reduce the appearance of the seven, but to maximize the appearance of their own ‘signature numbers’. As an example, imagine what you would be able to accomplish at the craps table if you could; 1) Reduce the appearance of the ‘seven’, AND 2) Increase the appearances of box numbers like the ‘six’ or ‘eight’.

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It all starts with Dice Setting!

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There are 576 different possible dice sets, but don’t worry, you only need to learn a few. Below, we’ll cover the most common dice sets in use today and why they’re used. After you’ve progressed in perfecting your own controlled throw, we’ll show you how to select the right dice set to use during the come-out and the one to use after the point is established.

MOST COMMON DICE SETS

HARDWAYS SET

The Hardways Set is both the most popular and the most important dice set in use today. Its popularity comes from the fact that, if kept on axis, it reduces the appearance of the 7s, focuses outcomes on the box numbers including the hardways, and is one of the most forgiving sets if one die go off axis.

It is also the most important set you’ll utilize throughout your practice sessions. The Hardways Set will allow you to track your rolls and discover your signature numbers and provides you the clearest feedback on potential issues with your technique that you can then correct. By exclusively using the hardways set during your practice tracking, you’ll be able to convert your info to the other dice sets and identify the ideal dice set for you to utilize at the casino. (More on that later)

With the Hardways Set staying on axis, you’ve eliminated the 6 and the 1 from rolling on either die. By doing that you’ve eliminated 2 out of the 6 ways a 7 can roll, (6/1, 1/6) leaving only 4 ways. (5/2, 2/5, 3/4, 4/3). Additionally, by keeping the 6 and 1 out of play from each die, you’ve eliminated any craps numbers.

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ALL SEVENS SET

The All Sevens Set is the most popular dice set currently being used at the craps tables on the Come-Out roll. It has the ‘seven’ showing on all sides and if executed correctly, it will give you the best chance of hitting a natural (7) or (11) and winning on the Come-Out.

Experienced Controlled Shooters will use an All Sevens Set (or variation) to maximize winning rolls on the come-out and then switch to another dice set based on their signature numbers once the point is established.

For the novice Controlled Shooter, it’s recommended that you only use the hardways (or signature set) on both the come-out roll and after establishing the point. It’s only as you develop your skills as a Controlled Shooter, and your outcomes become more consistent and reliable, that you would begin to use multiple dice sets based on the come-out or point number in play.

OTHER COMMON DICE SETS

The Flying ‘V’ Set

Also called ‘The 3 V’ Dice Set, it gets its name from the 3s showing on the top of the dice that when pressed together, they form a ‘V’. When you’re at the craps tables, it won’t take you long to find someone using this set as it’s another popular set to use after the point has been established.

The dice set shows only 6s and 8s on all 4 sides of the dice (Hard 6 & 8 on top & bottom and soft 8 & 6 on the front & back) and sports only 2 sevens if the dice stay on axis. The Flying V Set is great to use on inside numbers (5, 6, 8, 9).

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The Mini ‘V’ Set

Also called ‘The 2 V Dice Set, like the 3 V Set, gets its name from the 2s showing on top that when pressed together form a ‘V’. The set shows a Hard 4 on top, Hard 10 on bottom and Soft 4 & 10 on the front and back.

The Mini V Set is mostly used when the point is 4 or 10, or when the shooter is attempting to hit outside numbers (4, 5, 9, 10). The Mini V Set also sports only ‘sevens’ if the dice stay on axis.

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Straight Sixes Set

When set, The Straight Sixes Set has the pips of the 6s running directly across the dice. The front and back of the set are 2’s and 5’s. (Recommend 5s in front).

For experienced Controlled Shooters, this set works great on the come-out with a Pass Line Bet combined with a horn, whirl or hardways bet based on the consistency of your own roll results. Possible results if the dice stay on axis include; 4 (7s), 2 (3s), 2 (11s), 1 (12), 1 (2) and both (4) and (10) hardways.

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Crossed Sixes Set

The Crossed Sixes Set has the sixes set perpendicular to each other on the tops of the dice with the 5 and 4 showing on the front.

This set is often used for both the come-out and after the point has been established. If results are on-axis, this set sports only 2 sevens, does include horn numbers (2, 3, 11, 12), and is good for hitting outside numbers including the 4, 5, 9 and 10.

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Parallel Sixes Set

With the 6s pips on both tops of the dice facing forward, the Parallel Sixes Set should only be used by experienced players on the come-out roll. It sports 4 (7s), and the (2) and (12).

It is also sometimes used after the point is established by Controlled Shooters betting the Don’ts or betting on the field. Again, this is a risky set to utilize and is not recommended except for the most experienced shooters.

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6/5 – 5/4 Set

For Controlled Shooters whose dice rolls stay on-axis, this is an excellent set to use after the point is established. It gives the shooter a full range across the place numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10), and only sports 2 ways to roll a 7.

For novice players, less consistent shooters, or those whose dice do not established consistency of staying on axis, the 6/5 – 5/4 set could run the shooter into some trouble with the seven.

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6/5 – 5/6 Set

The 6/5 – 5/6 Set is my personal favorite for the come-out roll. With consistency, and a come-out strategy utilizing the (7) and (11) on your Pass Line bet and combining that with a Whirl bet can reap tremendous rewards.

Used correctly, you could potentially make more on the come-out than on rolls after the point. This set sports 4 (7s), 2 (11s), 1 (12), 1 (2) and the 4 and 10 Hardways.

Keep in mind that the benefits of each of the results possible with the dice sets listed above are dependent on your ability to keep the dice on-axis throughout the toss and after hitting the diamonds on the back wall and coming to rest.

Even a small increase in your abilities can make a big difference at the craps tables, but your key is to follow through with the rest of the components and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Learning to set the dice is only the first step in becoming a Controlled Shooter. Next up, are the grips currently being used to help deliver the toss keeping both die on-axis.

For more information on becoming a Controlled Shooter and flipping the odds on the casino, check out…