Quick Answer

To read DOTS braille dice, learn the letter-to-number mapping (A-J for 1-10, K-T for 11-20) and use the Touch Point Edge to orient each face before reading.

Why DOTS Braille Dice Use Letters Instead of Numbers

Standard braille dice often use number symbols, but DOTS braille dice use letters A-J for 1-10 and K-T for 11-20. This system is easier to learn for many players because letters are more familiar than braille number contractions, and it avoids confusion between similar-looking number signs.

The Trade-off: If you already know standard braille numbers, you'll need to memorize a new mapping. However, the letter system is consistent across all DOTS dice, so once you learn it, you can read any set without relearning.

The Touch Point Edge: Your Orientation Key

Each face of a DOTS braille die has a Touch Point Edge that acts like an underline. This raised edge tells you which way is 'up' so you can correctly read the braille characters. Without it, you might read a character upside down or sideways, leading to wrong results.

Always run your fingers along the edge first to feel the raised line. Then, position the die so the Touch Point Edge is at the bottom, just like an underline in print. This simple habit prevents misreads.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reading DOTS Braille Dice

  1. Learn the Letter Mapping: Memorize that A-J correspond to 1-10 and K-T correspond to 11-20. Practice by rolling a die and identifying the letter before checking the number. Checkpoint: Can you name the number for each letter without hesitation?
  2. Find the Touch Point Edge: After rolling, run your fingertip around the die's edges to locate the raised line that acts as an underline. This marks the bottom of the face. Checkpoint: If you can't feel the edge, rotate the die until you do—never guess orientation.
  3. Orient the Die Correctly: Hold the die so the Touch Point Edge is at the bottom, like an underline. This ensures the braille characters are upright and readable. Checkpoint: Practice with a d6 to confirm you consistently read the correct number.
  4. Read the Braille Characters: Using your fingertip, trace the raised dots from left to right, top to bottom. Identify the letter and translate it to its number value. Checkpoint: Start with d6s, then move to d20s as your speed improves.
  5. Confirm Your Roll: After reading, double-check by feeling the letter again or asking a sighted player to verify. This builds confidence and catches errors early. Checkpoint: Once you consistently read correctly, you can skip verification.

DOTS Braille Dice at a Glance

  • 10d6 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid: These dice use letters A-J to represent numbers 1-10 and letters K-T to represent numbers 11-20. Knowing this letter mapping is the first step to reading any DOTS braille die accurately.

    10d6 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid

    10d6 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid

  • 5d20 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid: The Touch Point Edge acts as an orientation marker to indicate the proper way to read each face. Feeling for this edge before reading ensures you interpret the braille correctly every roll.

    5d20 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid

    5d20 Set - DOTS Braille Acrylic - Cursed Acid