Intermediate
Pistol
Casino Drill (Distance Variation)
Source: Tom Givens / Rangemaster
21s
Par Time
7–25 yd
Distance
21
Rounds
2
Reps
42
Total Rounds
The Casino Drill is a comprehensive test that measures your accuracy and speed across four different distances. Named for its escalating round count, it’s one of the best all-around assessments of practical pistol skill.
Set up four targets at 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Fire 1 round at the 25-yard target, 2 rounds at 15 yards, 3 rounds at 10 yards, and 4 rounds at 7 yards. Then repeat the sequence in reverse: 4 at 7, 3 at 10, 2 at 15, 1 at 25. Total: 21 rounds.
The 21-second par time (one second per round) is a challenging benchmark. What makes this drill valuable is that it forces constant mental gear-shifting — you need precision at distance and speed up close, all in one continuous string. It’s an excellent diagnostic that reveals your weak spots across different engagement distances.
Range Setup
Setup
Four USPSA/IPSC targets at 7, 10, 15, and 25 yards. Start holstered at the 7-yard line. Move between distances or shoot from a single position if targets are stacked.
Scoring
All hits must be in the A-zone. Score: count your A-hits out of 21. Any miss outside the A-zone = -5 seconds added to time. Track total score and time.
Tips
Slow down on the 25-yard shots — they're worth the extra half-second. Speed up aggressively at 7 yards. Know your transitions.
Progression
Start without a par time and focus on 100% A-hits. Once clean, introduce the 21-second par and work from there. The 25-yard shot is the gatekeeper.
FAQ
What is the Casino drill?
A round-count drill on six numbered circles: shoot circle 1 once, circle 2 twice, and so on up to circle 6 six times — 21 rounds total.
How many rounds is the Casino drill?
21 rounds total, across six numbered circles (1 through 6).
What makes the Casino drill hard?
You must engage each numbered circle the correct number of times, in order, without losing count — it tests transitions, accuracy, and focus under time.
What's a good Casino drill time?
Times depend on the distance used. Clean runs with no wasted rounds and smooth transitions are the real measure of progress.