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Casino Dice Security Measures To Stop Craps Players From Cheating

Since the invention of playing dice hundreds of years ago, there has always been someone looking to take advantage of these little cubes by altering them in some fashion. This can include making one side heavier than the others so that it's more likely to fall with that side resting on the casino games table. As a result, all casinos have any number of deterrents and security measures in place to both discourage and alert them to anyone who's cheating by altering the structure of the dice.

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Casino Dice Security Measures To Stop Cheating

Given the innate feelings of competitiveness in human nature, we can imagine that when a Neanderthal or Stone Age man first threw some knuckle bones onto the ground as primitive dice, then someone was already thinking about how they could cheat. From the earliest games of dice, right up until the present day, gamblers are constantly looking for ways of moving the odds into their own favour. In many cases, this involves all forms of cheating, often through underhand tricks when playing cards or throwing the dice. Cheating hurts the bottom line of the casino as a business. So they take extraordinary measures to stop players from taking advantage. More especially with casino dice at the craps table.

Looking At Craps

That’s because the game of craps revolves around the throwing of dice. Unlike roulette, where the dealer drops the small ivory ball onto the spinning wheel, in craps, it’s the players themselves who are allowed to handle and shoot the dice. Though the outcome of the throw is totally random, it could be argued that the player does have some control over the dice. For some skilled players, this form of dice control is actually one of their most successful jackpot winning tips and tricks. This would be from the moment they leave the hand. From the moment they hit the back wall of the craps table. In this respect, casino dice are a great target for those who wish to cheat in the casino.

Of course, many a casino cheat feels the need to take advantage of the casino. Yet conversely, the casino is constantly surveying for those looking to do so. In order to discourage cheaters, the casinos have in place a number of dice security measures. These are to ensure that every roll of the dice is totally random. Let’s have a look at some of these.

Casino Dice Serial Numbers

Back in the day, it was quite common to swap out the legitimate dice with a “weighted” or “loaded” one. In order to ensure that crooked dice doesn’t enter the game, then you’ll find all casino dice will have a serial number stamped on them. Normally all casino dice will come in packs of five in a package of gold foil. Each one will have a matching serial number. It’s easy to spot if a player is using two different serial numbers with their dice.

Sharp Corners

The next time you are playing a game that uses dice, such as Monopoly, have a look at the dice themselves. You’ll notice that the corners are rounded. This is very different from the corners of the dice you’ll find in the casino, which are sharp. The problem with round corner dice is that they tend to exaggerate any bias. This may increase your jackpot winning chances. This means that the rolls may not be truly random. A dice with sharp corners is going to “grab” the table surface better. This ensures that the roll is random and in turn, keeps the odds in the casino’s favour. Talking of throwing dice, we should point out, that though casino’s like 22Bet Casino features a great craps game from Evolution Gaming, you can’t cheat as it’s online.

Casino Dice Glow Spots

Take note that some casinos will have their dice marked with special spots. These with an epoxy that changes colour when scanned with UV light. The pit boss or floor manager can tell very quickly if a casino dice is legit. They simply pass it under a black light.

Dice Translucency

Going back a few years, it was difficult to tell if a dice was weighted because its colouration was opaque. Today’s dice are cellulose acetate and they are completely translucent. Being able to hold a dice up to the light and see exactly what’s inside allows the casino to see if anyone has put anything inside the dice to alter its spin.

Casino Dice Key Letter Spot

Though you may well have played with thousands of dice at casinos in Las Vegas, Macau or in casinos anywhere else in the world, you’ve probably never taken notice of this security measure. And the funny thing is that it’s hiding in plain sight. Every casino will have the dice monogrammed on a certain spot. This is actually under the exterior paint of one of the pips. So, though cheats may be able to replicate the exterior of the casino dice, it’s going to be difficult to fake a letter under the pip paint.

Casino Logos

All dice will come with their casino logo printed on them as a security measure. You might think this is a simple element to replicate. But it does add another layer to overall security with a unique identifier to the dice. In the end, this makes replication more complicated.

Diamond Rubber Bumpers

Although this is not a security measure for the casino dice as such, it will certainly affect the gameplay. When you stand at the craps table, you’ll notice that along its sides and the back wall there are what are known as “diamond rubber bumpers” or “pyramid bumpers.” These are textured bumps that make it much more difficult to manipulate the casino dice. So the thrower will have no idea how the dice will land, after striking the bumpers. In many ways, these uneven textures ensure a random landing of the dice.

Casino Dice Change-Outs

In the same way that casinos try to foil blackjack card counters by constantly changing out the cards, at the craps table they do exactly the same but with the dice. This is because the randomness of the roll of the dice may be affected by such things as blunted edges or less sharp corners. So they swap them out to change them between every 4 to 8 hours. Normally when there’s a change of shift. But according to their own rules, casinos have the right to change the dice out at any time. You often see this happen if a player is experiencing a hot roll. In which case the casino wants to do everything to ensure that the roll is down to luck as opposed to someone having tampered with a dice.

Perfect Cubes

Within the industry, they refer to casino dice as “precision dice.” The reason is that they manufacture them to very exacting standards and specifications. All casinos will use the 3/4 of an inch dice. And each one of these must be within 0.0005 of an inch.

Pip Drilling and Backfilling

Because every slight variation may affect the roll in a way that is less than random, you’ll find that the pips on the dice are not just a spot of paint. They are in fact the result of drilling out the dice to different depths. This is to ensure that each side of the dice weighs exactly the same as the opposite one. They then fill the holes with a special paint that allows the casino dice to be perfectly in balance.

Casino Dice Cancellation

Once a game is over, the dealer removes all casino dice from the table. Then the casino will use a hand-operated press to punch the dice with a mark in the shape of a circle. This “cancels” the dice. After this, they put it up for sale in the casino’s gift shop. Or they actually destroy the dice completely. By being marked in this clear manner, then it’s easy for the dealers, floor staff or security to see whether “retired” dice have been put back into play by an unscrupulous player. You might be surprised as to how often players cheat with these types of jackpot winning strategies.

In the casinos of Las Vegas, the law allows them to simply mark the dice to show that it’s “cancelled.” But this law is different in Atlantic City. There all casinos must drill a hole into the dice that is no longer in use at the games table. One thing to note, if you’re a player at a real land-based casino, is the deep paranoia casinos have with regards to dice cheats. Therefore in order to have the best possible experience, it’s always advisable to keep the dice over the table in front of you at all times. Another thing is to ensure that you only use one hand to shake them before you shoot. You’ll find that this is a form of basic craps etiquette and you’ll quickly notice players who fail to do this. The dealer will remind the play to hold the casino dice properly.

Is It Worth Cheating?

Finally, you should take note that if you’re going to cheat in a casino in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada for that matter, then cheating is a felony. Casinos will not hesitate to call the cops if they catch any of their customers cheating. Remember that winning is a great feeling and it’s always nice to come out on top once in a while. So when you go to casinos to win the jackpot, try to have a great time without breaking the law! We suggest that you head over to 22Bet Casino, and play some of the best casino games to e found anywhere online.