This simple dice game is a mix of luck and strategic decision making. All kids need is one die and they will be ready to spend an afternoon playing and testing out different variations!
Dice games like this one, in which the objective is to reach a target score, are great to keep on the back burner as quick and easy boredom busters, especially on the go. Just put a couple of dice in your purse or your pocket, keep some in your car or backpack, and your kids will always be prepared for fun!
Table of contents
This might be the simplest dice game we've ever played. And somehow it was just as fun as many of the more complex games out there. This dice game doesn't have an official name. I've based these instructions off of a few traditional dice games like Macao dice and Fifteen.
Objective
Reach the target score without going over.
Materials
- 1 die
- Pen and paper to keep score
- Enthusiastic players, preferably 3 or more, but can be played with 2.
How to Play
Choose the target score, preferably a number between 9 and 15.
The first player rolls the die as many times as they wish in an attempt to reach the target score without going over. If they go over, they are OUT and play passes to the next player.
The player who gets closest to the target number wins the round.
Play as many rounds as needed so that each player has a chance to roll first.
Example Game Play
The target score is 9.
Player 1 rolls: 1-3-6 and is OUT.
Player 2 rolls: 5-3 and stops at 8.
Player 3 rolls: 4-2-2-1 and wins the round with a 9.
MORE: Best Dice Games for Kids
Scoring
Scores can be determined in one of two ways.
1. Each player earns a single point for winning a round. If there is a tie, each player gets one point. The player with the most points at the end of a predetermined number of rounds wins.
OR
2. During each round players earn a score equal to the sum of their rolls, with the exception if they go over the target score and go OUT, in which case their score would be zero. The player with the most points at the end of a predetermined number of rounds wins.
EXAMPLE: The target score is 9. During round one Jack rolls 8, Jill rolls 9, Prudence rolls 3. During round two Jack rolls 0, Jill rolls 8, Prudence rolls 9. During round three Jack rolls 8, Jill rolls 0, Prudence rolls 0.
In scoring rule 1, each player won one round and so it is a 3 way tie.
In scoring rule 2, the round totals are Jack–16, Jill–17, Prudence–12. Jill wins the game.
MORE: Dice Games With 5 Dice
Tips
Traditionally, this game is played with a target score of 9 or 15. Get a feel for the game by starting with 9, then try it with 15 before moving on to choosing different target scores.
Note that the last player in a round holds an advantage. Mitigate this advantage by rotating the first player so that each player starts the game an equal number of times.
Got a poor sport? Use these tips from readers about how to help sore losers have good sportsmanship.
MORE: Cooperative Math Dice Games
Variations
Kids will enjoy experimenting with the rules (always establish new rules before play!) to observe how game play changes. Savvy players will take notes on what rule changes work best and why that is!
Possible variations include the following:
Players must roll the die three times in an attempt to reach the target score. If they go over before that, they are out.
Players use 2 die to reach the target score. In this case, choose a target score of 20 or higher.
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