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original designs

in wood, resin and leather

Prepare to be amazed!
 
Penny Pincher
 Penny Pincher is a magic wooden wallet. Put in a penny and make it disappear and re-appear at will! This is a great new design of a classic magic trick.
 
Dodgy Dice
Looks ordinary? Look again! It's got two 6s. This is one of a range of loaded and mis-spotted dice. Everything you ever needed to swindle your friends and family.
 
Crafty Coaster
Is it a coaster? Is it a mathematical marvel? Is it the best thing that a fidget ever got their hands on? "Yes"to all three questions. If you've never seen a flexagon before, don't miss this chance. 
 
Pooch Poop Pouch
Time to take the dog for a walk? No need to fill your pockets with plastic bags when you've got a Poop Pooch Pouch attached to his lead or collar.
 
Nice Dice
A range of beautiful dice, handcast in resin; marbled, striped, sparkling. Every one is unique. Check out our travel set: 6 nice dice in a leather case with a book of dice games.
 
Funky Fish
These handmade
leather fish assemble to make a beautiful wristband. The tail of one becomes the fins of the next to form a circle of interlinked fish swimming around your wrist. Join as many as you need to make a perfect fit, then use the two press-stud fish to join the ends.

Justin Case
The versatile Justin Case is for all the small things in life which you can never find when you need them. This beautifully designed little leather pouch attaches wherever it's needed so that those handy things are always to hand.
 
Home      Products      Dodgy Dice
Dodgy Dice
 
5 different dodgy dice 
Can you tell the difference between these five dice? No? Well neither will your opponents when you play dice games with them! They all look the same yet they're all different. One is loaded to throw six, another has 2 ones, the third has only high numbers, the fourth has only low numbers, and the last is normal.
These resin-cast dice have been doctored with hidden inserts or altered numbers to make them ideal for magicians and tricksters. Dodgy Dice are available individually and in several different combinations. A detailed description of some different types of dodgy dice is included at the bottom of this page. If you would like a combination not featured below, please contact us and we may be able to help.

TEMPORARY NOTICE
I am in the process of overhauling my entire Dodgy Dice operation. The first phase is now complete: I have a much larger range of mis-spotted dice, manufactured to a higher standard than before. These are machined from blanks (rather than cast in resin) and I can now offer a better colour choice - most are available in white with black spots (more normal-looking) and other colours are available when appropriate.
The second phase of the overhaul is to improve the standard of my loaded (weighted) dice. I have spent the last several months working on a completely new moulding and casting system. I hope to have the new dice for sale on this website before the end of 2010, but in the meantime, I have no loaded (weighted) dice to sell.
 

Mis-spotted Dice

 Matching regular dice are available at the end of this section (here)
 
 Twice Dice

These are ordinary dice, except that one number has been removed and replaced by another. For example the Double Four has an extra 4 instead of a 3, and the Double Five has an extra 5 instead of a 2. The extra number is always on the opposite face to its double, so they are never visible at the same time. Only a close examination will give the game away.
This small change makes a huge difference. Great for students of the laws of probability ....... and cheats!

Twice Dice (each)

All six numbers are available. Make selection from dropdown menu on right.

Twice Dice
(each)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 2.00
choose

Double 1 + Double 6 (pair)
The most useful pair of Twice Dice for gamers.
Twice Dice
(double 1 + double 6)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00

Twice Dice (set of six)  
Six different Twice Dice - double 1, double 2, double 3, double 4, double 5, double 6.
Twice Dice
(set of six)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 11.00
  
 
Number Manipulation  Dice 

These dice do not favour a specific number, rather they favour a type of number, ie high, low, odds or evens.  

High Thrower + Low Thrower (pair)
 

The High Thrower always throws a high number because it only has 4s, 5s and 6s on it. The duplicated numbers are on opposite sides to each other, and since only 3 sides of a cube can be seen at any one time, the die will appear normal whichever angle it is viewed from. The Low Thrower is its complement. This one always throws a low number because it only has 1s, 2s and 3s on it.
The person throwing the high thrower will always beat someone using the low thrower. It’s not difficult to work out why, but you will be amazed how seldom the deception is spotted. Most dodgy dice combinations have an element of probability, but this pair guarantees 100% success.

High Thrower + Low Thrower
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00
Odds'n'evens Dice (pair)
 
 

The Odds die always throws an odd number because it only has 1s, 3s and 5s on it. The duplicated numbers are on opposite sides to each other, and since only 3 sides of a cube can be seen at any one time, the die will appear normal whichever angle it is viewed from. The Evens die is its complement. This one always throws an even number because it only has 2s, 4s and 6s on it. Very popular with backgammon players. 

Odds'n'evens Dice
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00
Number Manipulation Set (6 dice) 

A pair of High and Low Throwers, a pair of Odds'n'evens dice, and 2 regulars. 

Number Manipulation Set
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 11.00
 

Forcing Dice

 
Instead of having six different numbers on each face, these dice have the one number repeated six times. Each die features a different number - one die has only 6s on it, another only 5s, yet another only 4s, etc - so that by choosing the appropriate die, you can guarantee the result of a roll.
Obviously these dice will not stand close scrutiny so they are most effective when used sparingly, substituted for a regular die at a critical moment.
Very useful to magicians who need to force a specific number as part of a trick, or as part of a humorous routine.
 
Forcing Dice (each)

All six numbers are available. Make selection from dropdown menu on right. 

Forcing Dice (each)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 2.00
choose
  
Forcing Dice (set of six) 

6 different forcing dice - all 1s, all 2s, all 3s, all 4s, all 5s, all 6s.

Forcing Dice (Set of six)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 11.00
  
 
Craps Dice 
These mis-spotted dice have been designed specifically to give you an advantage in the game of Craps. 
Point Makers (pair)
 
 

One of these dice has two each of the numbers 1, 5, and 6 on it, and the other has two each of the numbers 3, 4, and 5. The duplicated numbers are on opposite sides, so you can’t see them both at the same time. When you throw the pair together, they can never produce a total of 2, 3, 7 or 12. After the come out throw, these are the only combinations that can lose in Craps.

Point Makers
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00
  
Natural Rollers (pair)
 

One of these dice only has the number 5 on it, and the other has only 2s and 6s. This means that when you throw the pair together, the total can only be 7 or 11. If you roll one of these numbers on your first throw in a game of craps, you immediately win. This is known as a natural. Craps players sometimes call this pair of dice "Door Pops."

Natural Rollers
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00
  
Craps Cheater Set
(6 dice) 
 

A pair of Natural Rollers, a pair of Point Makers, and a pair of matching regulars. These are very effective when used in combination. Use the regular dice for your first few throws, then occasionaly substitute one of the other pairs once you've established your "innocence"!

Craps Cheater Set
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 11.00
  
 
 
Nontransitive Dice  These 3 packs contain sets of nontransitive dice. In a transitive relationship, if A beats B, and B beats C, then A must also beat C. But these dice are nontransitive, so A beats B, B beats C and C beats A. This means that if you offer someone first pick of a set of nontransitive dice, you can then choose one of the remaining ones which will have a statistical advantage over it. That's why these packs are called "You Choose, You Lose"! Instructions for a trick and some mathematical background are included.
You Choose, You Lose
(set of 3 dice)
 
blue die has sides: 3,3,3,3,3,6
black die has sides: 5,5,5,2,2,2
green die has sides: 4,4,4,4,4,1
 
Note: each die has the same total number of spots, ie 21 (same as a regular die)
 
blue will beat black (58.33%)
black will beat green (58.33%)
green will beat blue (69.44%)
 
You Choose, You Lose
(set of three)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 6.00
  
You Choose, You Lose (double whammy)
 
2 x (set of 3 dice)
+ booklet
 
  
There is another remarkable property (less well-known) of this set of nontransitive dice. As previously described, if you use one set, the order of dominance is:
blue beats black beats green beats blue. However, if you use 2 sets, ie two of one colour against two of another colour, the relationship is still nontransitive, but the order of dominance reverses. Now, blue beats green beats black beats blue! This makes for a delightful sting in the tail when you use these dice to perform a trick. Supplied with instruction booklet. 
You Choose, You Lose
(double whammy)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 11.00
  
You Choose, You Lose
(set of 4 dice)
 
 
black die has sides: 6,6,2,2,2,2
green die has sides: 5,5,5,1,1,1
blue die has sides: 4,4,4,4,0,0
yellow die has sides 3,3,3,3,3,3
 
Note: the total number of spots on each individual die varies.
 
black will beat blue (66.66%)
blue will beat green (66.66%)
green will beat yellow (66.66%)
yellow will beat black (66.66%) 
 
You Choose, You Lose
(set of four)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 8.00
  
 
 
Miscellaneous Mathematically Interesting Dice 
 
 
Sicherman Dice (pair)
 
 
To quote Wikipedia:
"Sicherman dice are the only pair of 6-sided dice which are not normal dice, bear only positive integers, and have the same probability distribution as normal dice"
The faces on the dice are numbered 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 and 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.
 
colours available: red, blue, green
select from dropdown menu on right.
Sicherman Dice
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 4.00
choose
Average Dice (each)
 
 
The faces of these dice are 2,3,3,4,4,5
 
These dice are used by wargamers and others when a more predictable, less extreme, outcome is desired.
 
colours available: red, blue, green
select from dropdown menu on right.
Average Dice (each)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 2.00
choose
  
  
 
 
Regular Dice 
 
Regular Dice (each)    These are perfectly ordinary dice which match the mis-spotted ones.
 Colours available:white, red, green, blue, yellow, black.
Make your selection from the dropdown menu on the right.
Regular Dice (each)
[price in British Pounds (GBP)]
 2.00
choose
  
 
 
 

DODGY DICE EXPLAINED

loaded    high and low thrower    twice dice    regular    how to tell them apart   Vincent's Formula

  Loaded Dice:loaded die These contain a hidden weight at the opposite side to the number required. When rolled, the die is likely to settle with the weight at the lowest point, therefore the desired number will be uppermost. Success rate depends on how hard you throw it and the friction of the rolling surface. Judge the strength of throw to avoid the die being abruptly stopped by an obstacle. Avoid playing on a smooth, shiny surface where the die may slide rather than roll. These are heavily loaded dice. Once you are familiar with their behaviour, it is possible to throw the desired number up to 90% of the time. For more information on the mathematics of loading dice than you could possibly want, see Vincent's formula.

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High and Low Thrower:high thrower low thrower
The high thrower always throws a high number because it only has 4s, 5s and 6s on it. The duplicated numbers are on opposite sides to each other, and since only 3 sides of a cube can be seen at any one time, the die will appear normal whichever angle it is viewed from. The Low Thrower is its complement. This one always throws a low number because it only has 1s, 2s and 3s on it.
The person throwing the high thrower will always beat someone using the low thrower. It's not difficult to work out why, but you will be amazed how seldom the deception is spotted. Most dodgy dice combinations have an element of probability, but this pair guarantees 100% success.

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Twice Dice:double 1 (twice dice) double 6 (twice dice)Each of these dice has had one number on it replaced by another, for example the double fiver has an extra 5 instead of a 2. The extra number is always on the opposite face to its double, so they are never visible at the same time. Only a close examination will give the game away.
This small change makes a huge difference. Obviously, these dice can double your chances of throwing any particular number, but more than that, you can quite precisely control the advantage you have over your opponent in some dice games. Supposing the object of the game is to move your counters round a board as fast as possible, accordi
ng to the throws of the dice. Say your opponent has an ordinary die with 21 spots and you use the double fours which has 22. You have a 4.76% advantage over him. If you use the regular die and give him the double twoer (18 spots), it goes up to 16.66%. Want a bigger advantage? Throw for throw, the double sixer will lose to the double oner only one throw in six. How about reducing his chances to zero by letting him use the double oner for a game where you need a six to start?!

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Regular:regular die In some ways, this is the most important one of all, a normal honest die. The sort of die you can leave lying about, let other people use, because it's nothing special, just a regular die. It just happens to look identical to the Dodgy Dice in your pocket.... Lull your victim into a false sense of security, then strike like a cobra.

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How you can tell them apart: Don't worry if your dodgy dice get mixed up. Wobble loaded dice in the palm of your hand to distinguish them from regular dice. If it's loaded, one face will consistently remain uppermost. Twice dice and high and low throwers can be recognised by examining the number of spots.

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Vincent's Formula
Perhaps , in fact probably, somebody has already worked out a formula for the most efficient way to load a die. If so, I couldn't find it when I needed it, and set out to discover it for myself. Here is the story. It will be of interest only to bored mathematicians and those with an obsessive interest in dice loading.


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