Sequences Dice Game: Easy and Fun!

I love adding classic dice games to our game playing repertoire! "Sequences," is a fun family-friendly dice game, also known as "Straight Shooter." It is great for groups and large families because any number of players can join in. Since it is a game of chance, no strategic skills are necessary, but children have the opportunity to practice their addition skills, and learn about probability.

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There is something so alluringly old fashioned about dice games like Sequences. Everyone can gather around to play; it's an easy to learn game and yet just when you are getting the hang of it you have to watch out for a hazardous twist!

What you need

• 6 dice. Serious game enthusiasts will find having lots of dice on hand very convenient. Dice like these aren't that expensive, and it's super fun to have lots of colors.
• Two or more enthusiastic players.
• Paper and pen to keep score.
• Optional: dice-throwing cups (make your own for extra fun)

Objective:

Be the first player to reach 100 points.

Rules

Everyone rolls one die. Highest roll starts the game, play moves clockwise.

First player rolls all six dice. If he rolls a number sequence that begins with "1", he scores (see below for score chart). If he does not roll a sequence he does not score.

Play continues with the next player.

Watch out for the Triple Threat Twist! (I came up with that name myself. Pretty awesome, right?) If any player's roll contains three 1s, any previous score that player has amassed reverts to zero, his turn is over and he passes the dice to the next player.

The first player to reach 100 points wins.

Scoring guide to “Sequences”

If you roll:         Then you score:
1                            5 points
1-2                        10 points
1-2-3                    15 points
1-2-3-4                20 points
1-2-3-4-5            25 points
1-2-3-4-5-6         30 points
1-1-1                       Cancels score (score reverts to zero)

For example: A roll of 1-2-4-5-6 receives a score of 10. A roll of 1-2-3-1-2 earns a score of 15. A roll of 3-4-2-5-4 receives a score of 0. A roll of 1-4-1-5-1 will cancel a player's previous points earned up to this moment. 

Note: Sequences only count if they begin with 1. Only one sequence per roll is allowed.

Confused? Watch our Sequences dice game video!

Variations

Allow more than one sequence per roll. So a roll of 1-2-3-1-2 would earn a score of 15. (5 for the 1-2 sequence and 10 for the 1-2-3 sequence.) This would make the game very similar to Run For It, which you can see on our list of easy dice games for kids.

Allow sequences that start with any number. A roll of 4-5-2-2-2 would earn a score of 5 (for the sequence 4-5).

Eliminate the rule in which players lose their points after rolling a 1-1-1.

Benefits of Playing

Children practice turn-taking and good sportsmanship.

Everyone must exercise patience and keep their stride even in the face of set-backs.

Game play requires math skills, and is great for kids learning addition and patterning.

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