I know these to be true: When I am focused I throw better. When the rhythm is good, my throws get better and better. When the rhythm is disrupted, my focus leaves, and the 7 shows up more often than not.

So, the question I ask myself whenever I shoot is: How can I get focused at this particular moment? How do I establish the right rhythm for this particular game. And how do I react to a disruption to the rhythm?

There are days when my dice don’t look so good in the air but the result is good. There are days my dice look good but the result is not so good. I try and analyze the result to see what my dice are doing.

Rhythm is the bridge between the throws that keeps a good roll going to become a great roll. Although it is great if you can get a dealer to recognize that giving you the dice back quick, directly in front, is good for your rhythm, my experience is that it is not often you can get dealers to conform to your rhythm. Therefore, I try and determine the rhythm of the table and try to match that when I throw.

Sometimes the rhythm changes with each stick change, so you better be able to adjust.

Some of my techniques I use while shooting to control the rhythm and keep it constant:
First you have to know the internal clock you have in your head. It will tell you when to shoot. If you have practiced, you have developed an internal clock. I try and replicate this at the table.
If the stick is taking too long because he is chatting and not into the game. I will throw a buck up on the hardway for the dealers to change his focus to me. And say something like, here is a hard 10 for the dealers, now give me the dice so I can throw it for you. Usually works. And I usually will get the dice back quicker next time.
Next, my focus while shooting is never off of the table. I never look up past the rail. I make no eye contact with anyone. I look at my bets, I collect and organize my rack, I look at the dice. I never see the faces of anyone at the table including the dealers. Facial contact leads to conversations that I don’t want to have.
There are times that the dealer will give you the dice back before you are ready to shoot (internal clock not ready). At those times, I go to my rack and organize the chips (While I am really organizing my head). I remind myself that I am the captain of this ship. It is mine and it does not sail without my shooting the dice. Once I pick up the dice, it is a short time to a throw. I don’t delve on the set, grip or toss. I have done it enough times in practice to know how to do it. There are times, the stick will put the dice in front of me when there is some guy buying in at the other end. If I see this, I either don’t pick up the dice at all. Or I put them down until the buy-in is complete. Again, this is my table. It is my time. I throw when I am ready.
If a cocktail waitress walks by when I have the dice in my hand and yells "cocktails". I stop, wait for her to leave the area, and continue. I make a joke that I can’t throw while she is in the zone of danger. Usually gets a laugh, even from the pit. If I hear a call of a seven out from a nearby table, I put the dice down and put a dollar on my odds for the dealers. I say, here is a dealer bet on the SIX or EIGHT or whatever. Just so the last word I heard before I shoot is not the bad word.
Some of these things may seem trite or even silly, but each of the things I do, helps keep me stay focused and in a rhythm, so I can have the best opportunity to excel at that moment.

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