To prevent misuse and scam at their tables with used casino dice, casinos started to cancel their dice in the 1970's. Some Gaming Commissions (like NJ) require even by law, that the casino drill their gambling equipment after use. If you have uncancelled dice from current casinos, they must be either stolen or took another irregular way out of the casino. Although such dice are quite valuable for certain collectors, please consider the legal aspects which may be tied with such dice. As long as the monogram is not damaged by the cancellation, the value of the dice is not reduced due to cancellation.
There are a large variety of different cancellation types. The most common found, is the circle cancellation mark which is done by a so called monogram cancel tool, usually on the four spot.
Sometimes you find small marks or pin pricks on the dice. Such markings may be made by the boxperson or a supervisor prior to play and are some kind of security markings to make sure, only correct (current) marked dice are on the table.
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The dice punch is a easy to handle tool which allows to cancel the dice directly in the pit when they are retired from the tables. The result is visible but small hole on the surface of the punched side. Although a casino dealer can clearly identify a retired dice with a punch hole, the monogram is usualy not affected by the punch mark and the dice can (for non-precision, non-gaming purpose) be further used, what isn't possible when the dice are drilled.
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The dice scribe is pencil shaped tool with a thin steel tip and it can be used like any pencil. It allows the craps crew or other table games staff to carve their initials, dates or symbols on the dice. More often you find big X scratch over the dice or some casinos use this scribe to scratch over all dice from a stick at once.
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Most of todays casino dice are cancelled with this dice cancel tool. It works like a vice and the result is non-removeable circle impression on the dice. I suppose that other cancellation marks like the VOID or star impression are done a similar way.
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Dice with the very common circle impression (usually on the four spot). Most circles have the size of an enlarged spot and some have twice the diameter of a spot.
These dice have been drilled. Drill holes through the dice are common, but some casinos drill only one side or use a diagonal drill hole for a key chain..
examples of scratch markings.
Cancellation marks on culls done by the manufacturer (e.g. VOID, star impression, XX...).
Foilprints (bar stamps) are another kind of cancellation marking.
A drill hole for a key chain has two purposes: (1) the dice are cancelled and (2) with a small keychain attached, they make a great gift, the casino can give out to the players.
Many times I have purchased dice from tourists and gamblers or got them from the casino and the pairs were put together with tape. If you use high-quality Scotch tape for a short period on current dice, this isn't a problem. But when you store older dice over years with cheap tape on them, it's very hard to remove it and clean the dice. Leave them for several hours in warm water and then try to remove the tape carefully with a carpet knife. If the tape was made of paper, you can try to rub it off when it's sodden enough.
Conclusion: Don't ever use tape on your dice! You can pack them in paper, use a minigrip plastic bag or pack them in one of the different dice containers that are commercially available.
The best way to clean sticky or dusty dice is to wash them carefully in warm water using a soft bristle or cotton swab and - if necessary - a mild soap. But I have some obsolete, old dice which aren't cleaned at all, because I fear that I will lose the color of the monogram when I'm rubbing on them.
One last point: There were always people who'd liked to do handicrafts and I certainly respect their hobby. But I didn't like those clocks, boxes, pen holders and other items made of used casino dice since it is necessary to use a lot of glue to build them and it's almost impossible to un-glue the dice without damaging them. I have once seen a lamp built of several hundred old casino dice, many of them obsolete and rare. These dice must have been very cheap or even free back then when the lamp was crafted and now they would reach $100 for each pair - if they were unglued...
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last update: 2006-11-14 |
