Hardway Set vs. 2V Set for Avoiding the 7

By Jerry "Stickman"

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First let me address why the Hardway set is the best for avoiding a 7. The Hardway set is formed by placing the 1 and 6 on the axis and having only the hardway numbers on the faces: 2:2, 3:3, 4:4, 5:5. With this dice configuration one die has to move two faces relative to the other die in order to get a 7. If one die pitches one face from the other die you will get all inside numbers: 2:3, 3:5, 5:4, 4:2. If one die rolls one face relative to the other, you will get either a 1 or a 6 combined with a 2, 3, 4,or 5. None of these combinations form a 7. If both dice roll the same way you will get a 2 or 12. Only if one die move two faces relative to the other will you get a 7. A one face move will never produce a 7.

This cannot be said for the 2V or 3V sets. A single roll of one die relative to the other will produce 7’s. This is why we recommend using the Hardway set until you actually have mastered some degree of axis control.

Once you can keep the dice on-axis significantly more than a random shooter, you are already reducing the appearance of the 1 and 6. At this point you may want to consider using a 3V or 2V set because the double pitch will occur a bit more often for you than for a random shooter.

And, yes, you are correct. We have conducted scores of millions of test rolls in a software program called Smart Craps. This program will tell you if you actually have axis control. If you do, the program will tell you what the best set for hitting any of the numbers on a craps table and it will tell you your edge for those numbers. It is really quite an amazing program.

For more information Smart Craps go to http://www.goldentouchcraps.com/software.shtml.

Jerry "Stickman"