The Roll of Dice in Backgammon - Art or Science?

You can't play backgammon long without developing a style or personality in your performance or playing protocol - it's bound to happen. One of the more obvious "techniques" in style or personality that reveals itself is in the roll of the dice.

Some call the dice rolling technique an art, others call it a science. There have even been chapters devoted to it in the books about backgammon or other games that involve dice. When you stick to rules and use the cup to roll, there is even an etiquette that serious or romantic backgammon players adhere to in providing a consistent "standard" of playing evenly from both sides of the board. But often, outside of professional or tournament play, there is no such restriction on HOW a player rolls the dice (unless there is a strong objection by an opponent) - as long as they fall in their proper portions of the board.

And what about that style or personality? Well, we've seen backgammon players of all ages with dice rolling techniques that would qualify for "America's Funniest Home Videos" or other laughable TV shows and styles that you might suspect Spock of Star Trek calculating as the most "logical" for best success. One player holds the cup up their ear to listen to the dice rattle before casting. Another does a wrist shake as if salting a ham. Another blows on the dice to "induce luck" or blows into the cup before the shake, rattle and roll. Some close their eyes when they cast. Others plop the cup down on the board, then lift the inverted cup to reveal the dice resting below.

Is there a best, proven method of rolling dice? There are math or science experts out there who could chime in with their theories, and veteran players who might suggest a certain style, but it all comes down to the luck of the roll.