Field guide

Loaded / Weighted / Shaved Dice

How it works

Altering dice so that certain outcomes are more probable than others. Methods include weighting, shaving edges, rounding corners, or using magnetic materials. Weighted dice have heavy material inserted near one face. Shaved dice have edges or corners slightly reduced so they don’t roll off certain faces easily. Magnetic dice work with electromagnets under the table. Some cheaters subtly rub dice to round corners between throws, making them tumble less.

On the record

Loaded dice have been found in casinos and backroom games for centuries. Modern casino-grade dice make this difficult but not impossible—determined cheats still attempt to introduce altered dice into play.

Published as a detection reference for surveillance, compliance and gaming-operations professionals. Thresholds and tuning are set by the property. Nothing here is instruction — the method is described so it can be recognised.