Hi there - my first post! Do any of you have experience of dice stacking. If so, how did you get started, what equipment do you use etc?

I have a bit of experience with dice stacking. I wanted to do it for no other reason, then it looked cool. I went out and bought The Dice Stacking book, a few dice and a few hours of practice over a day or two and there you have it.

there are a few videos on the subject, but I myself do not own them, nor have I seen them, so I would just get the book, some good dice and a cup and have fun with it.

This is cool to do, but has limited uses, for me.

Kevin

Dice Stacking is cool and it is very magical!!

If you want to see a great magical presentation, I highly recommend you get the John Mendoza tape. I can't remember what it's called, but he teaches dice stacking on it and explains his routine, which finishes with a jumbo pair of dice. I have perfomed this routine for at least 10 years, and can tell you that the people love it.

The only downside of dice stacking is that you need a table with a flat surface to perform on. Also, if you're not careful, you'll scratch the surface of the table with the cup or the dice, so I recommend you carry a little perspex sheet or tray to perform on.

Any more questions? Ask away!

Bye for now

Harold

Thanks for the tips. I think the book I'm after is by Todd Strong. As I'm in Scotland, I've been searching for a UK stockist of it, but with no luck so far. Anyone got a copy that they're willing to sell to me?

I would suggest you buy your dice at the time you order your book. I had a bit of trouble getting dice. I would hold off on getting a cup, as the book offers, suggestions, on what you can use to practice with.

I like the tip about a little perspex sheet or tray. I will have to remember that one!

Kevin

Charlie Frye's ECCENTRICS Video has a real nice bit on Dice Stacking along with the Dice Matrix routine.

The tape is loaded with a lot of comedy skits and nice coin flourishes as well as other feats of comedy skill. Several bits on Juggling are also included.

I've viewed the tape several times and enjoy it each time. This tape is for those who want to learn some unique methods of billiard balls routine, coin production, added comedy bits, sight gags, spoon bending, dice stacking and just plain eccentric fun and laughter, then this tape is for you.

Tommy Mullica had a great dice stacking routine that is funny and very magical. I'm not sure if it's in print anywhere, but a performance of it can be seen on his "Tom-Foolery Anniversary bash Highlights" tape, available directly from Tom at http://www.tommullica.com

Regards,
Thomas Wayne

Check this site http://www.jimzeemagic.com/dice/

Jim sells a package of his video, 6 dice high cup and dice for $54. I have his video which effectively teaches his way of stacking the dice. You'll be able to learn in a day.

All you need is some casino dice and a tupperwear type plastic cup. If you already have a dice cup with no ridge then great, but if not there is no need to waist the money.

Tilt

Hi.

The best book where I have seen dice staking explained is Ouellet's Close-up Illusions.

Great explanations and good tips for the beginner.

Bye

Stefano

I'm with Bernard on this one - Jim Zachary's video is a great way to learn it and a pretty good deal for the cup, dice, and video all together.

You might also look at Shoot the Works by Marlo for a good dice stacking routine.

Tilt

I bought my copy of Todd Strongs book at Aladdin Books 1-714-736-6115
There is also an old book by "Senator" Crandall you can look for too

I have several cups, paid good money, then learn you can do it with almost any cup. I have used a beer can, the top of. But use casino dice. You do have to watch the surface. Paul Diamond showed me how to stack. I have been also doing them with chrome plated hex. nuts. Don't use glass trying this.

One interesting thing I have found is that, if you have the Tenyo effect, "Flash Dice," (which isn't that great an effect in and of itself) you can actually use the square plastic outer case to stack the 6 little dice that come with the effect.

In novelty shops a small plastic bottle of 7-up can be found that will fit in the case. After stacking the dice, and slowly lifting the case, say, that's six up.... load the little 7-up bottle as the misdirection is as good as it gets... pause, lower the case and raise it again and say... and that's 7-up... The line is from Trevor Lewis.

Which brings me to the next question - isn't dice stacking amazing enough that it is difficult to come up with a suitable climax? Have been toying with the idea of first working a couple of dice effects and then finishing with one stack of the dice as the finale... Even producing giant dice isn't as cool IMHO as the stack itself.
tr

I do a dice routine where I make the "hard" part the number of strokes it takes. I only use four dice and I start by taking 9 strokes, then do it in 4, then 2, and finally one.

Nothing too difficult to do.

What an interesting topic!

I have performed dice stacking before. However, as a few of you have said it does have limited uses in my eyes. However, I'm sure that by reading books and watching videos there are some great effects that can be put together with it.
Just my thoughts,
Andy

Good thought.

I bought a little kit. In the kit was: A book by Todd Strong, plastick dice cup, and 4 dice. I bought that a year ago. Now I can do just about any type of stacking on the table, I.E. no aireal... and I can decaptitate. I am not 100% at either, but it is very fun, magical, impressive, and is a real art. I am currently working on stacking with both hands at the same time. Decapitating too-- tough stuff!

I love it!

It is great stuff.
I found a great routine (I believe Curtis Kam pointed me in the right direction)
by Barry Govan of Austrailia, I believe.

His routine is somewhat like David Roth's purse and glass.

As you stack the 4 dice, the dice start changing colors from red to green.
each time a die changes from red to green, an increasing number of red dice appears inside a purse on the table.

Not easy but a great routine.

Frank