DM die rolls: out in the open or behind the screen?

[haiiro]

I recently started playing in a campaign where the DM makes all of his die rolls in front of the players -- the dice fall where they may. I have always rolled behind the screen, but I am thinking about switching up my approach the next time I run a game.

Just curious where others fall on this one, and what your opinions are on this topic.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Right there in the open.

Makes things like the natural 20 attack, followed by another natural 20, sequence that I rolled twice last session more believable (both against the same PC, too!).

I occasionally roll some unannounced miscellaneous d20s, to hide things like spot, listen, and wandering monster checks.

 

[alsih2o]

d'oh! no option for a handmade die roller

 

[arwink]

I started out with a screen, way back in the days or yore. And if not a screen, then at least a sperate spot on the table and a book held at right angles to sheild the results.

About four years ago, a change in available space made keeping a DM's area at the table seperate, so I switched to open rolls. PC deaths shifted upward immediately.

Now, the option of using a seperate space for rolling is available once more, so I do all my DM stuff at a seperate table to the players. Hadn't realised how much easier it made things

 

[Garmorn]

Both

In open for things combat and resluts known to the charaters. Behind a screen for results only guessed at by the charactes such as bluff and spot checks by NPC's.

 

[Hygric]

Out in the open 99% of the time. The only rolls I may hide are ones where a PC is using a skill and I don't want them to know wether they succeeded or failed (namely search checks when looking for a trap).

PC death rates have gone up, but my players seem to enjoy there victories more, as they are sure that they have earned it rather than me letting them win by fudging die rolls.

And there are still many ways to fudge even with open die rolls.

 

[Chauzu]

Behind the screen.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I stick behind the screen.

 

[s/LaSH]

Technically it's behind the screen, although it's actually on top of a rulebook on the couch; the players use a coffee table. We really need a better gaming area.

Anyway, I keep everything secret because of several reasons:

First, it gives an air of consistency. If I suddenly hid a roll, they'd think something was up.

Second, it gives an air of mystery. If they don't know what precisely the maths are, they have to guess and sometimes their reactions to an imprecise analysis are amusing. Um, authentic, I mean. Oh, and I can roll dice every so often without the players knowing what I'm rolling for... or whether they failed it.

Third, it gives me the power to change stuff. If something happens that I don't want to happen, they need never know whether it was DM fiat or the old psychokinesis kicking in on the dice. And that's probably the most important reason.

 

[The Cardinal]

I roll out in the open - always have, always will. I'd be *very* reluctant to play with a GM who does otherwise...