Editing Dice (section)

==Construction==
===Arrangement===

[[File:Chiralität von Würfeln V.2.svg|thumb|[[Chirality]] of dice. Faces may be placed [[clockwise and counterclockwise|counterclockwise (top) ''or'' clockwise]].]]

Common dice are small [[cube]]s, most often {{convert|1.6|cm|in|abbr=on}} across, whose faces are numbered from one to six, usually by patterns of round dots called [[pip (counting)|pips]]. (While the use of [[Arabic numerals]] is occasionally seen, such dice are less common.)

Opposite sides of a modern die traditionally add up to seven, requiring the 1, 2, and 3 faces to share a [[vertex (geometry)|vertex]].<ref>Cf. {{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/greekanthology05newyuoft|title=The Greek anthology|date=1918|location=New York |publisher=G.P. Putnam's and Sons|translator-first=W.R.|translator-last=Paton|at = Book 14, §8|quote=The Opposite Pairs of Numbers on a Die. The numbers on a die run so: six one, five two, three four.}}</ref> The faces of a die may be placed [[clockwise|clockwise or counterclockwise]] about this vertex. If the 1, 2, and 3 faces run counterclockwise, the die is called "right-handed". If those faces run clockwise, the die is called "left-handed". Western dice are normally right-handed, and Chinese dice are normally left-handed.<ref name="diceplay">{{Cite web |title=Standard Dice |url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dice-play/DiceStandard.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730085649/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dice-play/DiceStandard.htm |archive-date=30 July 2013}}</ref>

The pips on standard six-sided dice are arranged in specific patterns as shown. Asian style dice bear similar patterns to Western ones, but the pips are closer to the center of the face; in addition, the pips are differently sized on Asian style dice, and the pips are colored red on the 1 and 4 sides. Red fours may be of Indian origin.<ref name="diceplay" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese Dice |url=http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/Archives/Culin/Dice1893/dice.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501172614/http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/Archives/Culin/Dice1893/dice.html |archive-date=1 May 2008 |publisher=Elliott Avedon Museum & Archive of Games}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed>
File:Die Faces.svg|Typical facets showing the more compact pip arrangement of an Asian-style die (top) vs. a Western-style die (bottom)
</gallery>

===Manufacturing===
[[File:Snake eyes dice.jpg|thumb|right|Typical western ''non-precision'' dice use opaque plastic and have recessed pips.]]
In general, dice are classified as either ''precision'' or ''non-precision''. Precision dice (also known as ''perfect'' or ''gambling house'' dice) are used in casinos, while non-precision dice (also known as ''drugstore'' or ''candystore'' dice) are sold with social and board games. These types are easily distinguished with visual and tactile differences; precision dice generally are larger, translucent, and have flush markings, sharp corners and edges, while non-precision dice generally are smaller, opaque, and have recessed markings, rounded corners and edges.<ref name=Scarne74/>{{rp|23–24}}

Non-precision dice are manufactured via the plastic [[injection molding]] process, often made of [[Poly(methyl_methacrylate) |polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)]]. The pips or numbers on the die are a part of the mold. Different pigments can be added to the dice to make them opaque or transparent, or multiple pigments may be added to make the dice speckled or marbled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 Surprising Facts About How Dice Are Made (With Pictures) |url=https://www.gmdice.com/blogs/dnd/how-are-dice-made |access-date=20 August 2019 |website=gmdice.com|date=19 August 2019 }}</ref>

The coloring for numbering is achieved by submerging the die entirely in paint, which is allowed to dry. The die is then polished via a [[tumble finishing]] process similar to [[rock polishing]]. The [[Abrasion (mechanical)|abrasive agent]] scrapes off all of the paint except for the indents of the numbering. A finer abrasive is then used to polish the die. This process also produces the smoother, rounded edges on the dice.

[[File:The Game (33285019256).jpg|thumb|left|These canceled precision dice from [[Tropicana Atlantic City]] are made from translucent red cellulose acetate and flush pips.]]
Precision dice are generally made from bars of extruded [[cellulose acetate]], sawed to the proper length to ensure that each face is as square as practical, generally with edges {{cvt|3/4|±|1/5000|in}} in length, with pips drilled {{cvt|17|±|4|mil}} deep and filled with opaque paint or epoxy which matches the [[density]] of cellulose, ensuring the dice remain balanced.<ref name=Scarne74/>{{rp|23}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Casino Dice |url=http://www.dice-play.com/DiceCasino.htm |access-date=1 July 2018 |website=www.dice-play.com}}</ref> The dice are buffed and polished to a gloss or sand finish after the pips are set, and the edges usually are left sharp, also called square or razor edge, although beveled or rounded edges, if performed evenly and consistently for each edge, are acceptable.<ref name=Scarne74/>{{rp|240}} Precision casino dice are transparent or translucent. This makes it difficult to incorporate internal weights which could bias the roll.<ref name=Scarne74/>{{rp|213–214;253}} To discourage cheating by dice substitution, each die carries a [[serial number]] and the casino's logo or name.<ref name=Scarne74>{{cite book |title=Scarne on Dice |first=John |last=Scarne |date=1974 |url=https://archive.org/details/scarneondice0000scar/mode/2up |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |isbn=0-8117-1516-7 |url-access=registration |author-link=John Scarne}}</ref>{{rp|23–24}} Local regulations and the intended game may affect the allowable dimensions and tolerances; for example, New Jersey specifies the maximum size of a die is {{cvt|0.775|in}} on a side, except for the dice used in [[pai gow]], which range from {{cvt|0.637–0.643|in}} on a side.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/docs/Regulations/CHAPTER69E.pdf |title=New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 13, Chapter 69E: Gaming Equipment |publisher=State of New Jersey |access-date=24 December 2024}}</ref>{{rp|13:69E-1.15}}

[[File:Backgammon PrecisionDice.jpg|thumb|right|Precision backgammon dice also share the flush-pip construction, but tend to be smaller with heavily rounded corners.]]
Precision backgammon dice are made the same way and also feature pips flush with the surface of each face; they tend to be slightly smaller and have rounded corners and edges, to allow better movement inside the dice cup and stop forceful rolls from damaging the playing surface.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://katgammon.com/about-precision-dice/ |title=About Precision Dice |date=November 21, 2020 |first=Mizban |last=Host |website=Katgammon (blog) |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref>

===Etymology and terms===
The word die comes from [[Old French]] ''[[wikt:dé#Old French|dé]]''; from [[Latin]] ''[[wikt:datum#Latin|datum]]'' "something which is given or played".<ref>{{Cite web |title=die |url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/die?searchDictCode=all#die-2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214101611/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/die?searchDictCode=all#die-2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2015 |access-date=14 February 2015 |publisher=Oxford Dictionaries}}</ref>

While the terms ''[[ace]]'', ''deuce'', ''trey'', ''cater'', ''cinque'' and ''sice'' are generally obsolete, with the names of the numbers preferred, they are still used by some professional gamblers to designate different sides of the dice. ''Ace'' is from the Latin ''as'', meaning "a unit";<ref>{{Cite web |title=ace |url=http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/ace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095518/http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/ace |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=18 June 2012 |publisher=AskOxford}}</ref> the others are 2 to 6 in [[Old French]].<ref name="Conant">{{Cite book |last=Conant |first=Levi Leonard |url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16449/16449-h/16449-h.htm |title=The Number Concept: Its Origin and Development |publisher=Macmillan |year=1896 |page=124}}</ref>

When rolling two dice, certain combinations have slang names. The term ''snake eyes'' is a roll of one [[pip (counting)|pip]] on each die. The ''[[Online Etymology Dictionary]]'' traces use of the term as far back as 1919.<ref name="ref1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=s&page=28|title=s &#124; Search Online Etymology Dictionary|website=www.etymonline.com}}</ref>
The US term ''boxcars'', also known as ''midnight'', is a roll of six pips on each die. The pair of six pips resembles a pair of [[boxcar]]s on a freight train. Many rolls have [[Craps#Names of rolls|names in the game of craps]].

===Unicode representation===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Symbol
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚀
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚁
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚂
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚃
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚄
| style="font-size:250%" | ⚅ 
| style="font-size:250%" | 🎲
|-
! Unicode
| U+2680 
| U+2681
| U+2682
| U+2683
| U+2684
| U+2685
| U+1F3B2
|-
! Decimal
| <nowiki>&amp;#9856;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#9857;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#9858;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#9859;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#9860;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#9861;</nowiki>
| <nowiki>&amp;#127922;</nowiki>
|}

Using [[Unicode]] characters, the faces can be shown in text using the range U+2680 to U+2685 or using decimal <code>&amp;#9856;</code> to <code>&amp;#9861;</code>,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dice faces in block Miscellaneous Symbols |url=https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U2600.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010603010228/http://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U2600.pdf |archive-date=2001-06-03 |url-status=live |website=The Unicode standard}}</ref> and the emoji using U+1F3B2 or <code>&amp;#127922;</code> from the [[Miscellaneous Symbols and Pictographs]] block.