Yes, this is about "dice influencing" and "dice control."
Dice influencing has gotten a bad rap. But the reality is, I think everyone tries to influence the dice "their way."
I'm not going to claim that I can control the dice and I am not going to claim that on command I can even "influence" the dice. Instead I am suggesting that everyone tries, and I am asking only one question:
Can the game of casino craps and the throwing of dice become a game of skill? It is even possible?
When you read Sharpshooters extensive book on dice control, he goes into great detail to explain the physics of dice influencing, and the way a human using muscle memory can interact with the physics of dice and the table -- alligator bumps and all -- to influence the dice.
Theory is one thing, but putting the theory into practice is of course another.
We can read how to throw a knuckle ball, but can we actually do it?
We can read how a screw ball is pitched, but do we have the knack to throw one?
We can read how to kick a 50 yard field goal, but will our kicking leg accomplish it?
Even though we might lack the muscle memory, the steady hands, the depth perception and the light touch of a skilled toss, I think everyone tries to influence the dice. If you are a passline shooter, you throw the dice hoping to hit your point. You might use a particular "set" and you might throw the dice softly, or with a slight lob with little rotation. Or, your only influence might be prayer and a wish. If you are a don't pass shooter, you throw the dice hoping to hit a 7-out before you hit your point. Again you might use a particular set, or a lob with the 7s showing on your dice set, or you might also just be wishing and hoping and that might be your influence.
I don't think dice influencing should be criticized at all, because when each of us has our turn with the dice we do indeed try to influence the outcome.
Besides, if craps really is a random game, then trying to influence the two dice wouldn't matter anyway, would it?