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Rolling Dice

Posted By: Colin Owen
Date: Thursday, 12 July 2012, at 2:56 p.m.

In Response To: Rolling Dice (neilkaz)

With respect Neil, I don't feel that the first rule you mention is ridiculous. I remember years ago when a regular playing partner of mine - not for the first time - suggested that dice landing flat on chequers should be valid. The chequers on my board were not very thick, and there was only room for ten across, so we did get a lot of cocking this way. (This was before I obtained a baffle box which, I think you know, really can reduce cocked dice greatly on some boards.) Anyway, this time I (reluctantly) agreed, but I knew why I had reservations. It wasn't that long before the scenario that I feared came to fruition.

One of his dice landed on a chequer, appearing, at first glance, to be flat. The other was clearly flat on the board. But the die was towards the edge of this chequer and, upon close inspection, it seemed fairly clear to me that it was actually leaning slightly over. This was possible because the chequers did not have a clear, precise edge; they were somewhat rounded. What made it more uncomfortable for me was that the roll would have been a 1-1, which was very good for him. I would have much preferred it if it was a 'lemon', where my stance would have been the same. I had to point out the ambiguity and, after looking very closely himself and without any pressure from me, he agreed. The roll did not count, and we abandoned the new rule.

As for the other rule, that dice must land on the RHS, I totally agree with you and UBK that, in clocked matches, this rule is unfair and therefore wrong. Stick feels that it makes next to no difference, but we're not all as adroit as him. Some players do not seem to be able to aim differently, or more softly, and some feel, rightly or wrongly, that to do so compromises the randomness of their throw. Allowing to roll either side in clocked matches (though not necessarily one die in each) is fair. Again, I feel I have to mention on this point that the use by both players of a (single!) baffle box also neutralizes any possible advantage here, by ensuring both players roll into the same area.

Messages In This Thread

• Rolling Dice
  Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 4:29 p.m.
  • Rolling Dice
    Bob Koca -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 4:49 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:01 p.m.
      • Rolling Dice
        Bob Koca -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:14 p.m.
      • Rolling Dice
        Stick -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 6:59 p.m.
        • Rolling Dice
          Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 7:19 p.m.
          • Rolling Dice
            Bill Riles -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 7:29 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Tom Keith -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 6:00 p.m.
  • Rolling Dice
    Chuck Bower -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:17 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Bob Koca -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:20 p.m.
  • Rolling Dice
    neilkaz -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:26 p.m.
    • + a lot *NM*
      Casper van der Tak -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 5:32 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Christian Plenz -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 8:42 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      mamabear -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 10:30 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Colin Owen -- Thursday, 12 July 2012, at 2:56 p.m.
    • Rolling Dice
      Daniel Murphy -- Thursday, 12 July 2012, at 4:09 p.m.
  • Rolling Dice
    Stick -- Wednesday, 11 July 2012, at 6:50 p.m.