How to Roll Dice: The Most Common Numbers

A roll of the dice is largely random, but some number combinations are more common than others.

Rolling dice is a key component in several games of chance. However, just because the bouncing and rolling of the dice often leads to random number combinations, that does not mean that some numbers do not show up more often than others. When traditionally rolling two dice, the numbers toward the middle of the scale can be reached by a larger variety of numbers, so they come up more often over time.

Instructions

1. Roll the two dice. Add up the numbers shown on each to determine the total.

2. Continue rolling the dice several times, making a note each time of the sum reached by the two.

3. Note any trends emerging after a series of rolls. What you may notice is that the sums toward the middle of the range--such as six or seven--are appearing at a higher rate than extremes such as two and 12. That is because there are a greater variety of number combinations that can add up to seven than can add up to two or 12. The latter two numbers can only be reached by one combination--either two ones or two sixes. But there are six dice combinations that can add up to seven, meaning that you are six times more likely to roll a seven than you are a two or a 12. No number is as common as seven, and the numbers gradually decrease in probability as they approach either the high or low ends of the spectrum.

References

• Craps Probability Chart