Quick Answer: What Is Dice Setting?
Dice setting is when the shooter arranges the dice to a specific starting orientation before throwing.
The idea (from believers) is that if you start the dice in a certain way and throw consistently, you might reduce sevens or influence outcomes.
The reality (for most players) is simpler:
- it’s a routine
- it helps people feel focused
- and it’s part of live craps culture
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Craps.
What Dice Setting Looks Like In Real Life
A typical dice-setting routine looks like this:
- shooter selects two dice
- turns them so certain faces are showing (examples: “hardway set,” “3-V set,” etc.)
- lines them up neatly
- makes a consistent toss toward the back wall
Sometimes it’s quick. Sometimes it turns into a full ceremony.
And that’s where the table gets annoyed.
Why People Set The Dice
There are a few common reasons shooters set dice, and not all of them are “I can beat the casino.”
1) Focus And Consistency
Some players set dice the same way every time because it gives them a repeatable routine.
That can reduce nerves, especially when everyone’s watching.
2) Superstition And Comfort
Craps has strong traditions. Dice setting often becomes a “lucky” ritual.
If you read the table-culture guide, you’ll recognize the vibe:
- routines
- lucky habits
- “no seven” energy
3) The Belief In Controlled Shooting
This is the big one.
Believers think the dice can be thrown in a way that:
- reduces randomness
- reduces sevens
- or increases certain totals
That belief is what makes dice setting controversial.
The Big Question: Can Dice Setting Actually Change The Odds?
To change outcomes in a meaningful way, a shooter would need to do more than set dice.
They’d need to control all of this, consistently:
- how the dice leave the hand
- spin rate
- bounce patterns
- landing angle
- how they collide with each other
- and the chaotic impact of the back wall
That’s a lot.
And casinos require the dice to hit the back wall specifically to make control harder.
If you want the casino rules for shooting dice (one-hand rule, back wall, and what causes “no roll”), read How To Handle Dice Properly (Casino Rules).
Why The Back Wall Makes Control So Hard
That rubber wall with pyramid bumps is basically “anti-control.”
Even a clean toss turns unpredictable after:
- hitting the wall
- bouncing
- clipping chips
- or colliding with the other die
This is why casinos are strict about wall contact:
- it forces more tumbling
- it protects randomness
- it makes “precision shooting” far less realistic
So when someone claims they can “control the dice,” the first thing to ask is:
- are they still hitting the back wall every time?
If yes, control becomes dramatically harder.
So Why Do Casinos Allow Dice Setting At All?
Because dice setting by itself doesn’t break anything.
Casinos usually allow it if:
- it doesn’t slow the game
- it follows one-hand rule
- it hits the back wall
- and there’s no sliding or weird handling
In other words, casinos care about:
- fairness
- pace
- and clean handling
Most casinos don’t care if you look like you’re doing something special, as long as the roll stays random and the game keeps moving.
When Dice Setting Becomes A Problem
Dice setting crosses the line when it turns into:
1) Slow Play
If a shooter takes forever:
- lining up dice
- pausing
- repeating rituals
the table pace drops and people get irritated.
Craps is fast. The social contract is: don’t stall.
2) Rule Breaking (Sliding, Not Hitting The Wall)
If the shooter:
- slides dice
- drops them softly
- repeatedly misses the back wall
dealers will warn them, call “no roll,” or end the turn.
3) Selling The Myth To Others
Some players use dice setting as a “system pitch,” making new players believe:
- “this is how you beat craps”
That’s where beginners get pulled into bad habits:
- copying long routines
- taking bigger risks
- believing the table is “due”
- or chasing a hot shooter
Dice Setting Vs Dice Control (They’re Not The Same)
This is important:
- Dice setting = arranging the dice before you throw
- Dice control = actually influencing outcomes over time
You can set dice every roll and still be completely random.
Most people who set dice are really doing:
- routine + comfort + superstition
not consistent mechanical control.
A Practical Way To Think About Dice Setting (Without Getting Tricked)
Here’s the healthiest mindset:
Dice Setting Is Fine As A Routine
If it helps you stay calm and throw consistently, cool.
Dice Setting Is Not A Strategy
It doesn’t replace:
- good bet selection
- bankroll control
- and discipline after a seven out
The Only Guaranteed “Edge” Is Behavior
The real advantage you can control is:
- not chasing
- not over-betting
- not firing props every roll
- playing within a plan
That’s what actually protects your bankroll.
What Casinos Watch For (If You’re Setting)
If you set dice at a live table, expect dealers to watch:
- one-hand handling
- back wall contact
- pace
- suspicious sliding motion
- repeated “short tosses”
If you follow rules and keep it quick, you’ll usually be fine.
Common Beginner Mistakes With Dice Setting
Mistake 1: Copying A Slow Shooter
A long ritual doesn’t mean skill. It often just means delay.
Mistake 2: Thinking A “Hot Shooter” Is Proof
Even long rolls happen naturally. That’s variance.
Mistake 3: Betting Bigger Because “He Sets The Dice”
This is the classic trap.
The shooter can look confident and still seven out two rolls later.
Mistake 4: Turning Dice Setting Into Tilt Control
After losses, some players become obsessed with setting “perfectly,” then press bets harder.
That’s not control. That’s emotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dice Setting Allowed In Craps?
Usually yes, as long as you follow casino rules (one hand, hit the back wall, no sliding, and don’t slow the game).
Does Dice Setting Actually Work?
For most players, it’s a routine and superstition. To change odds, you’d need extremely consistent control through bounces and wall contact, which is very difficult.
Why Do Casinos Require The Dice To Hit The Back Wall?
To increase randomness and make controlled outcomes much harder.
Can The Dealer Stop Me From Setting The Dice?
If you’re slowing the game or breaking rules, yes. Otherwise, most casinos allow quick setting.
Should Beginners Dice Set?
You can, but keep it quick and don’t treat it like a strategy. Focus on bet selection and bankroll control first.
Where To Go Next
You now understand what dice setting is, why people do it, and why it’s controversial: setting the dice is easy, but consistently controlling outcomes is a totally different claim—especially with back wall rules.
Next, we’ll tackle the biggest belief head-on: the myth of controlled shooting, what people claim, and how to evaluate it without getting fooled by a lucky streak.
Continue with The Myth Of Controlled Shooting In Craps.
