One of the most overlooked cons ever in dice. Now these have become a much sought after collectible. But maybe I should start at the begining back around 1896 or so. A French hustler at that time had noticed that if you added a third die you got about half the reels (faces of each die laid out in a riow)of a slot machine and the same odds. He tried selling the idea but had no luck and eventualy I believe some time between 1902 and 1907 got a french patent on slot machine dice. He failed to sell them on the american market but several enterprising folks here decided that changing the faces and quantity of dice made very similar games with incredible house odds. Out of these folks were born the games of Chicago, Owl, and Dewey Cubes that were played with dice horns attached to felt lined bowls. I have one of these on my bar at home.

The games were prized since there was a great return for the store owners and they often substituted a prize they purchased at wholesale instead of the top two cash prizes. At this rate the game was further gaffed in that they never paid out more than the midrange prize on the award card by subbing prizes. The games were small and the horn bowl could be pulled from the counter fast if the law was nosing around. In the 1932 Evans catalog there was a four dice Sometime around 1937 True slot machine dice (3 dice sets)were produced in the Chicago area. Not catching on again, they didn't surface into full production till after WWII when the returning soldiers realized great profits could be made with them, and almost no cheating skill was needed since the gaff was in the odds sheet and the dice were straight. In 1947 The now Crisloid dice company and the Jack-Pot dice company  went into full production, and the dice were openly sold all across the country. The Jack-Pot company marketed their version as a fun game for all ages. The other dice however were sold with a traditional payout card and game rules at the bottom that could be trimmed off with a pr of scissors. Crooked gambling companies took notice and created regular counter cards similar to the Chicago, Owl and Dewey pay cards, with no game rules at the bottom. These went right into the crooked gambling catalogs. By the end of 1949, these pocket slot machines were spread all across the country in Mom and Pop stores, barber shops, cigar shops, and various other places. Very little risk was incurred and the 3 dice and card were small enough to hide or cover up at any time. In the summer of 1975 I saw one of these cards taped under the glass in a second hand store in Belton MO. as well as the dice so they were still around then and being used by some folks. The other thing that made them attractive was the bet could be set at any amount from a nickle or dime to a twenty dollar bill.

How many total versions of these types of dice is still unknown. I will say that I have many types, well above 30 different antique and vintage types and many more 1970/80s and current. This would have been the type of hustle for the average joe, since all you needed was the dice, the paysheet and enough change to bank a couple payouts in a row since time and old man percentage would guarrenty a very nice profit. Anyone could do it without knowing much about odds or percentages. Today they have gone back to being a kids game but have many new styles and games on the market.

I have produced a collectors guide covering many aspects of slot dice collecting that is available through my ebay store. As time goes on and more information becomes available it will be expanded in further editions. At times I also sell extra sets and other items from time to time.