On loading dice: Another of our anonymous readers asks, "How do I load dice?"

In last month's feature of Gamin' n' Gamblin', I alluded to how easily one could obtain and make gimmick dice. O.k. Anonymous, you got me. The only truthful answer I can give is that I don't know how to load dice, but I have detected a loaded die a few times. In all casinos the type of dice that are used are translucent. They can be seen through, albeit not clearly, but the inside of the die can be seen. After confiscation and inspection, one particular die I had spotted had the ace side drilled a little deeper, .01 to .25 inch, to accommodate the substance lead. Sometimes Mercury is used. This will cause the tampered die, when rolled, to land with the heavy side down or the six 6 side up thus being beneficial for the field. In other cases, I've seen dice that were cleverly shaved a certain way so as to cause the six and one combination to occur more often. They call these altered types Six Ace Flats. Another way, we kid in our profession, is to not load them at all. Just get a hold of one die with all fives and the other with sixes and twos. So no matter, you will always roll a 7 or 11. As you see, my expertise on loaded dice is limited. I hope this will answer your question.

Here's another question that refers to another one of my earlier articles on the different types of craps games. "I know that in casino craps the house has an advantage. How do I get that advantage in blanket craps since there is no house? In plain words, how do I win at blanket craps?"

How do you win at blanket craps? The same way the casinos do. Stay on the side that has the percentages. For example, the pass line has a natural percentage for the house, so that rule stays pat. On the don't pass an advantage maker has to be set up, so the casinos use a Bar roll (or push) on the come out roll of say two or twelve. In the blanket variety craps game the three is usually the bar roll. Know your odds on all the numbers in order to take advantage of the numbers that someone wishes to bet. As an example: Offer the six and eight at even money instead of 6 to 5 (the true odds). In blanket dice the rules can be adjusted to fit the players, Let's say your booking even money on the three to two, five or nine, then you must bar a certain combination of seven, say 6-1, so the combinations will come out 4 and 4. There are many ways to claim the advantage on the blanket. Good luck.

Chris, from the Midwest, asked: I have a lot of friends who talk about 'throwing dice'. Then I was watching MTV the other day and these rappers were saying that they were having a big 'dice game' at their houses. What are they talking about? Are they playing craps or something simpler? And who bets against whom?

If your friends are talking about 'throwing dice' then I would take it as taking a chance on some thing or maybe they really want to get a craps game going. As far as rappers talking 'dice game' I would take it as really having a 'dice game'. But as to what they are talking about is anyone's guess, maybe monopoly or backgammon, who knows? I really don't have a coordinated answer for this question. I don't do rap music, I don't know your friends, and I don't know who's betting against who. So in your case, since you stumped me, I submitted your question to one of my colleagues, Dano. Here's his answer:

It's hard telling what any of the "Rappers" are talking about these days. I think they might be talking about blanket craps. It's a game usually put up in seconds just using an old blanket and a pair of dice. Blanket craps is different from Casino craps in that it has it's own betting system. If it is your turn to shoot, you would decide how much you wanted to bet and then the other players would split up your action. They could also make other side bets between themselves as well. The main point is someone had to "fade" your action in order for you to have a bet, which is unlike casinos, where you can bet anything you want, up to the house limit, anytime you want. The casino fades all bets. There is no side betting with other players allowed. .... Dano.

His answer sounds vaguely familiar also. We seemed to have covered that subject in our previous issues. See ya, in our next issue, "Gamblin' Pilgrims". Good Luck.

I am asking every one I meet to make an early New Year's resolution. If you must gamble, and you come overall winners between now and New Year's Day, please give all of those winnings to your favorite charity that will direct the money towards the "Catastrophe of September 11". After all, you are here to gamble for the rest of your lives. We will humbly thank you.

EDITOR'S NOTE:
As Ha3ry suggests, please give. We here at 4 Points Press are currently working out a program, as most companies we know are, which will eventually become a perpetual foundation for the benefit of the victims of the September Eleventh disaster.