Randomization in 40K is facilitated by rolling six-sided dice. With so much riding on the outcome of those dice rolls, how many players actually check or verify that their opponent’s six-sided random number generators aren’t gaffed? My goal isn't to inject a state of paranoia into a casual setting, or the casual pick-up game. In reality if a guy is cheating to win a casual game I would simply choose not to play against him- and I would suggest readers do the same.
When you consider tournaments or similar competitions where cash or cash equivalent is at stake, the subject of game protection becomes a little more serious. Entry fees usually run a player anywhere from 5.00 dollars to 100 bucks a day depending on the event and level of participation. That is not including potential travel and/or lodging expenses- plane tickets aren't cheap! With cost to participate in mind (your investment), how many of you inspect your opponent's dice prior to a battle? The idea that someone might consider using gaffed dice to give themselves an advantage over their competitor(s) is disconcerting to say the least. So, how can you determine if someone is using rigged dice, or just having an amazingly lucky day rolling the bones? How do you protect yourself from the cheat?
My goal with this article is to share knowledge I have accumulated over the years with fellow hobbyists, competitors, and organizers in order to better protect themselves and the integrity of their game(s). This article is not meant to create unease or paranoia in the reader, or in your Local Games Shop (LGS). Utilize this information to make educated deductions based on evidence at hand. What should you do in the event you suspect a player is cheating? Notify a judge, or organizer, or your LGS operator/employee immediately so that they can handle it in an appropriate manner. In a relaxed or casual setting, refuse to play with the guy. Remember, suspecting someone is cheating and proving it are often two very different things: Use this guide as a tool- not as an excuse to be a tool, dig?
Types of Gaffing:
When it comes to dice, there are a couple of different ways to cheat in order to obtain an edge. Altering a die physically in an attempt to create an unnatural bias, or manipulating the die toss/throw in an attempt to control the result. This article will cover “gaffed”, or altered dice: How to spot a threat and ways to counter, or neutralize it.
Spot Alteration:
Tops: Altered spots on dice are referred to as “tops”. Usually tops repeat the same three numbers, twice.
Solution: Inspection of a die to ensure all six numbers are present without duplicates. Verify that numbers 1-6 are not missing. Remember: A number and it's opposing side will always add up to the number seven.
Doubles: This refers to altering the spots on a die to repeat one number at the expense of another. For instance, the 2 is repeated, replacing the 5.
Solution: Inspection of a die to ensure all six numbers are present without duplicates. Verify that numbers 1-6 are not missing. Remember: A number and it's opposing side will always add up to the number seven.
A “Flat” is a die that has one side cut or sanded down. This reduces surface area of the four connecting sides making it more likely to fall on the shaved side.
Solution: "Flats" will often appear rectangular rather than square.
Concave side: A die that has been altered in such a way that “bows” on one or more sides. The idea is that the die will land on a concave side less than a flat (normal) side.
Solution: A concave die is easy to spot when the side in question is laid flat against a ruler or dice square (two straight, perpendicular edges extending out to create a 90 degree angle), noted by any light showing in between the edge of the die and the straight-edge.
Beveled Edge: A beveled edge is believed to affect the way a die rolls. When a die edge is dull and not sharp, the die tends to tumble less.
Solution: Look for inconsistency in the die edges; some will be sharp, while others will be beveled (rounded). It is fair to note that some die are produced and sold with rounded (beveled) edges. It is very important to look for inconsistency in edge line(s), when attempting to spot a gaffed die.
Roughs: A die with a rough side, in theory, will continue to tumble, whereas a smoothed surface may create more slide and less tumble.
Solution: Look for die with surface disparities (varying smoothness). If not visibly apparent to the eye, the rough surface will be coarse to the touch, co-existing with smooth or polished surfaces on the same die.
Warped Dice: Recently, an acquaintance of mine related a story about a gaff he ran across while participating in a GT. Since I do not have physical proof, and to protect my source, his identity and the GT will not be named. According to my source, he came across die that had been warped by heat (potentially using a microwave). A preferred side is set face up; for this example we will use the "one" (since the "six" opposes the "one". Remember; a side and it's opposing side will always add up to seven.) so that when it is heated, the dice warps. Theoretically, this will make the face-down side larger while correlating sides will shrink. The dice will be more likely to land or tumble onto the larger surface. Warping may be visually evident.
Solution: One way to test for even weight distribution is called the “pivot test:. Using a caliper or even your fingers, hold the dice diagonally by the corners and gently give it a quarter turn. Let go and see if the dice rotates back to it's original position. Another way to test a dice for a bias is the “water test”; drop the dice into a tall glass of water multiple times to see which side faces up most often (gravity will create consistencies in the result).
Weight/Magnet:
Loaded Die: This is often the first image conjured at the mention of gaffed dice. There are any number of ways to create a bias in die: Heavy paints/slugs applied to the dots, magnets- the list can go on.
Solution: Some die are clear where you can visually inspect the dots and ensure they are all uniform in size and depth. Another way to test this, called the “pivot test”, is by using a caliper or even your fingers; hold the die diagonally by the corners and gently give it a quarter turn. Let go and see if the die rotates back to it's original position. One more way to test a die for a bias is the “water test”; drop the die into a tall glass of water multiple times to see which side faces up most often (gravity will create consistencies in the result).
Tap Dice: Tap dice are opaque, and contain a central chamber that holds a weighted fluid (usually mercury). Tap Dice are challenging to detect by physical inspection because their weight are similar to normal dice, and, bias can be 'turned on and off'. A Tap Die is activated by firmly tapping the side which the bias is to occur on (this is the act of releasing the weighted fluid from the central chamber)- that's right; the bias isn't necessarily associated to a specific number! Another firm tap will force the liquid to retreat back into the chamber.
Solution: Observe your opponent's behavior with the die, or dice in question. Firmly tapping dice prior to, or after rolling should raise suspicion. Activation of the side in question, followed by a bias check should do the trick.
Know your Dice:
Make sure all six numbers are on the die without duplicates and that none are missing. A number and its opposing side should add up to 7.
Spot alignment:
"1,2,3" should follow counter-clockwise.
"4,5,6" should follow counter-clockwise.
"1,3,5" should follow counter-clockwise.
"2,4,6" should follow counter-clockwise.
The 2 spots run into or point to the 3-6 sides, cutting into the 3-6 corner (sometimes the 2 spots will run into the 4-6 side/corner or the 1-3 sides (this is called a reverse deuce).
In conclusion a "clean" game not only benefits participants, competition organizers, and sponsors, it enriches and strengthens the community as a whole. There are options available to Tournament Organizers to minimize cheating such as providing dice to participants, taking dice into possession in-between gaming days, and actively inspecting tournament dice between games.
Knowing what to look for will actually decrease fear or suspicion, leaving room for positive gaming experiences. When it comes to dice there is a difference between luck and manipulation, and I hope this information will help gamers recognize that distinction.
Following is a link to a video that shows different types of gaffed dice, including one die that came from Al Capone's club. Enjoy!
Knowing what to look for will actually decrease fear or suspicion, leaving room for positive gaming experiences. When it comes to dice there is a difference between luck and manipulation, and I hope this information will help gamers recognize that distinction.
Following is a link to a video that shows different types of gaffed dice, including one die that came from Al Capone's club. Enjoy!
Reference: Casino Game Protection Steve Forte
