Ideas to combat sweaty fingers & sticky dice

[Stilgar]

The dice sticking to my thumb on release is killing me. I need to practice my 3 finger OH grip with less skin contact, but in the meantime I'm also looking for alternatives to help. Thus far I've read about the below items. Have you had success with any of these ideas? What do you find works best?

Washing hands between rolls - hold your spot with a few dollar chips
Condensation from drink glass
Antiperspirant - clear stick
Antiperspirant - clear gel
Antiperspirant - clear spray
Bowling rosin bag
Talc powder
Rub your digits on the table top prior to gripping

So far the condensation trick seems to work well for about 3-6 rolls then the issue resumes. When the pit critter asked if I needed another drink in the middle of a long roll I figure I needed a longer lasting, low key approach.

[vegasfan2010]

Try tilting the dice. Contact is made on the edge of the dice not the face.
Less contact helps my throw.

[gargoil]

Try tilting the dice. Contact is made on the edge of the dice not the face.
Less contact helps my throw.

If you tilt the dice and grab by the edge then you need to control your spin. Just the nature of holding the dice in this grip will cause it to spin more than desired.

I get sweaty hands when I play and the way I combat it is by bringing my own hand towel from the hotel. Just keep your fingers in the towel until it's time to set and throw.
I tired everything you mentioned in your post and none helped.

[Team Taylor]

A couple of guys at the seminar in Tunica kept a stick of white chalk in their pocket.

[bobthetree]

I think gargoil has it nailed down here. In addition to clean and dry hands, if you add chalk or sand your finger tips a bit with an emory board every once in a while, you can "feel" the dice better. Be careful with drink sweat, chalk, antiperspirant, additives. It is against the casino rules to purposefully put anything on the dice. When you are at home try a tiny drop of spit and put it in between the dice to glue them together. You will see why they don't allow it...

[heavy]

We pretty much tried all of the above back in the day. I'll add to the list - sticking your fingertips in an ash tray to get a few cigarette ashes on them, then wiping your hand off on a napkin, cloth, your pants, or whatever. Kind of a stinky fix but it works. These days I go with a quick wash up before hitting the table and rubbing my fingertips on the layout before picking up the dice.

[gargoil]

HEAVY I hate to say this but I think its time to get rid of CrapsGenious again.

[bobthetree]

Looks like I was too late to see the dust up

[Golfer]

I knew H would mention the ashtray. Yet it won't work in IL because the casinos are smoke free. It was a good idea back in the day and I did use it.

[heavy]

Yeah, I busted the offensive post on the thread. Make a note of that guys.

[Stilgar]

Ok guys, while taking care of one of the kids today a light bulb moment occurred.

Liquid Bandages - this stuff dries clear, flexible and WATERPROOF!!

In hitting the store to look for some they had two selections. Of course I bought both and have been trying them out all day on each hand.

Do we have any chemistry folks in the house?
Name Brand ingredients: Amyl acetate, castor oil, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, n-butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, oil of cloves, 8-hydroxyquinoline

Store brand ingredients: acetone, amyl acetate, castor oil, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, SD alcohol 40, benzethonium chloride, dyclonine hydrochloride

I've only two trial runs into testing but have found:

The name brand has a stronger smell that lingers after application. (probably the clove oil)

With both types, your thumb becomes somewhat shiny. Which if it draws attention you can always say it's a bandage!!

Most importantly - BOTH types do indeed provide a non-sticky surface on my thumb!! Even after washing my hands once.

The one downfall thus far is with the brand name. My thumb application is peeling off (like a sunburn) in patches. This may be an application issue as my fingers using the same product are not peeling. **EDIT** the peeling only showed up about an hour after application.

If anyone else gives this or other things a shot please share your results with us!!

[gargoil]

You need to be careful when applying things on your hands and fingers. I am not exactly sure what the rules are but some casinos will not like it. Someone else who knows about this can chime in.

[Z-Axis]

Have you tried one of those absorbent micro-fiber cloths used to clean a pair of glasses? Any optometrist should have them.

Cleaning your glasses is an innocent gesture that should not attract attention. Even if it does, hand the cloth over for inspection, there is nothing to hide.

Bill

[heavy]

Great ides, Bill.

Gargoil - the casinos are very much opposed to any "foreign object" being put on their dice. That's one of the reasons I dislike the anti-antiperspirant idea. I'm good with piece of chalk, which is very absorbent and should not cause a problem. But the best solution is to wash your hands before its your turn to shoot.

[Drab]

Have you tried one of those absorbent micro-fiber cloths used to clean a pair of glasses? Any optometrist should have them.

Cleaning your glasses is an innocent gesture that should not attract attention. Even if it does, hand the cloth over for inspection, there is nothing to hide.

Bill

Thanks for the tip--I tried it this weekend and it seemed to work, esp. Since the rails were kind of sticky.