The problem I see with your practice is that you may well be doing some bad things with your throw, your grip and the rest of the techniques we teach in the class. Since you throw onto a table with a box as a backstop you are not getting a true result. Our guess is that you are developing some bad habits that you will have to "unlearn" when and if you take a class. The more you practice with these imperfections in your throw, the more the bad muscle memory will be ingrained into your performance. This is difficult at best to correct. Learning for the first time is easier than unlearning and learning at the same time. The sooner you take the class the better.

Here is how Doc and Rose started. Having read the same books as you, I taped an old piece of felt on the kitchen counter as a landing area and a chair with no arm rests with 2 telephone books and on the seat of the chair with a towel on the books to simulate a throwing station. I had about 4 feet to throw to–way too short. Probably a bad decision as when I finally got around to taking a class the instructors had a lot to correct. For example I was taking a long inside back swing, going crooked down the table, flicking my fingers and not reaching the back wall. There were other problems as well. Poor Mr. Finesse had his work cut out for him as he was one of my first instructors and as we know he is one of the best.

I have said this many times on the board–the cost of the class is not an expense but an investment—just like buying equipment or software to improve your efficiency. Keep this is mind as well.

Bottom line don’t practice too much until you have taken a class. I truly believe your progress will go faster. Trying to get 5000 or 10,000 rolls may be a bad thing if you have too many bad habits.

We don’t want to discourage you, simply make you aware that if you are serious about this thing we call dice control/advantage play, you may want to consider these ideas.

Alligator Rose and Doc

Good advise Doc.

Rick,

I’m in the same boat with you. My custom table is coming next Monday (I’m dying here!), and I’ve been practicing throwing from a calculated SL1 spot, bought a small piece of felt, and am throwing against cardboard at the end. I am not really looking at the outcome of the rolls (although I do like the 25 count rolls I’ve uselessly had), as I do agree with the others that the results are relatively useless because it’s not a proper table or rig. I’m really looking at the dice in the air and working on keeping them together and how they land. This alone takes quite a bit of practice. I do hope to get to one of the classes, but in the 2 months leading up to my table coming, I’ve had to do something as you have had to do.

Don

The class is the ideal place to start. If you can’t for some reason then this. 5000 documented rolls will give you a statistical probability. That should take around 5 months without overpracticing. I do 120 rolls in a practice session(some may feel this is too many at one time). Re-read the books, read this site religiously. This is a journey.

Enjoy

OneMoonCircles

The problem is you may be practicing the wrong way. If you don’t have the trip and the release
Down, then you may be hurting yourself. Does a mlb pitcher practice by throwing from shortstop? I strongly reccomend taking a class. And if you can’t take a class now, then come to the open house and meet with some of the instructors. Get some tips so your at least walking in the right direction. As far as 5000 throws, I can tell you that I play for about an hour a day, most days. It takes me a lot less then 5-6 months. Good luck and I hope to see you in a class soon.

Midnight

I would practice the grip if you are going to take a class soon . Also they only teach the 3 finger grip in class . I had been rolling dice since the 70s so had lots bad habits . But was using 2 finger grip so it took almost 2 days to get over that . Also make sure all finger nails are cut the same .
Good Rolling. 🙂 🙂

Your advise is appreciated. I’ve calculated the distance from the throwing point to the wall is 7.5 feet. I’ve bought both books and watched the DVD several times.

The class is planned down the road, I really want to take it. The problem is getting the time off work and getting the wife’s buy in. She wants to see results first. 😀

I waiting for the practice rig to show up. The suspense is killing me.

Thanks

Watched a guy roll in Laughlin a couple of days ago and spoke with him when he sevened out. He had read the GTC books and seen a couple of video’s. He had most of the pieces but did not have them put together the right way. Kind of like assembling a desk made in China from the instructions. Needless to say I had not been any great example. Using the golfing or sport analogy it’s hard to learn to play golf without some one who knows what they are doing and can give you the instructions you need. The practice rig is a great start and the instructions you get from a class get all of the pieces put together the right way. And just taking a single class is not any guarantee you are good to go and said and done. Practice and more practice is important and you can let flaws and bad habits creep into your form and again instructions are the solutions. Good Luck, save up for a class and keep posting and asking questions. And each time you re-read one of Frank’s GTC book you will get something new out of it or suddenly something with make sense that really didn’t before. If you are bald and about seven feet tall and live in Arizona I was the guy you spoke to in Laughlin – See you at the class in Vegas in June.

RichardM AKA "The Breeze".

One of my problems is that I am slowly getting closer to 5 ft. rather then 6 ft. 🙂 🙂 Keep getting shorter with age .
He should do well with that kind of reach .
Good Rolling. 🙂 🙂