This is a topic that I find myself thinking about when developing a plan to go to a casino. My questions stem from observations about myself from 2 vantage points.
My practice at home.
My results in the casino.

I am a lone wolf when it comes to practice. I imagine most of us are. At home, I set, shoot, and retrieve over and over again. To retrieve, I must move my feet, pick up the stick laying in the middle, and retrieve the dice. Then get into the set position again. There is no way to avoid this and just stay in the set position when I am alone. I also throw a chip on the numbers made, most times, so I get a feel for what I am throwing. It is hard to develop the rhythm that I think is so important to a good throw. In essence, each throw is an independent throw, there is no correlation to the previous throws. I often tell people that I am a lousy practice shooter. And I am. I feel I am a much better shooter at the actual table.

At the table, it is more of a team concept. The dealers are part of my team. That is why I work at developing a team to work with in AC. They move the dice, do the retrieval, and clear the payouts and bets to help set up my next throw while I remain in the same spot. Quiet and focused. It is much easier to get in a zone at the actual game table. And I find I can get into a great rhythm much easier in actual play. When I shoot, the only members of my team are the dealers. Any persons that I am with fade into the background as they themselves are only distractions when I am shooting.

This is why tipping is so important. It creates the Team Concept that is so important to shooting. It is also why I am very comfortable going to AC alone as opposed to a bigger group. My best throws have been when I am alone, totally focused, and usually early AM when the tables are not busy. Does anyone else find it this way? Are there any ideas out there to make the game more group shooter friendly for me?

Of course, at the casino there are a number of distractions and variables that cannot be controlled. Most of these are of the "human" variety. The last minute bettor, the impatient buy in, the landing zone ploppy, etc.

When I shoot, and I get in a good groove, I often find myself replicating the same time between shots that I do in practice. Since the table is quicker that I am at home, most times if I make a collection I take the time to organize my rack before throwing again. Sometimes the dice are sitting there waiting for me to throw and I am putting chips in order. If this happens, I tell myself not to rush. They will wait for me. I am the captain of the ship when I am throwing and nothing can happen until I release the dice. Other times I have to speed up the stickman to give me the dice.

In any event, the live table is a dynamic situation- conditions can change rapidly- and you have to learn to navigate those hurdles to get into a good rhythm.
Any other thoughts on Practice versus Live Play and how to meld the two together to make a stronger shooter?

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