Objective

The objective of Yahtzee is to score the most points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations.

Components

• 5 six-sided dice

• 1 score pad

• 1 cup (optional, for rolling dice)

• 10 rounds of play
  

Setup

1. Score Pad:

   • Each player takes a score pad or a section of the score pad.

   • Players can use a pencil to mark their scores.
     

Gameplay

1. Rolling the Dice:

   • Each player takes a turn rolling the five dice.

   • Players can roll the dice up to three times per turn to get the highest-scoring combination.

2. First Roll:

   • The player rolls all five dice.

3. Second and Third Rolls:

   • After the first roll, the player can choose to keep any dice they want and re-roll the rest.

   • They may re-roll some or all of the dice two more times.

   • Players can also choose to stop after the first or second roll if they have a combination they like.

4. Scoring:

   • After rolling, the player chooses a category to score their dice. Each category can only be used once per game.

   • Categories are divided into two sections: Upper Section and Lower Section.
     

Scoring Categories

Upper Section

• Ones: Sum of all dice showing the number 1.

• Twos: Sum of all dice showing the number 2.

• Threes: Sum of all dice showing the number 3.

• Fours: Sum of all dice showing the number 4.

• Fives: Sum of all dice showing the number 5.

• Sixes: Sum of all dice showing the number 6.

Bonus: If the total score in the Upper Section is 63 or more, the player receives a bonus of 35 points.

Lower Section

• Three of a Kind: Sum of all dice if at least three dice show the same number.

• Four of a Kind: Sum of all dice if at least four dice show the same number.

• Full House: 25 points if three of one number and two of another number.

• Small Straight: 30 points for four consecutive numbers (e.g., 1-2-3-4 or 2-3-4-5).

• Large Straight: 40 points for five consecutive numbers (e.g., 1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6).

• Yahtzee: 50 points for five of a kind.

• Chance: Sum of all dice (can be used for any combination).

Yahtzee Bonus: If a player rolls a Yahtzee (five of a kind) after already scoring a Yahtzee, they get a 100-point bonus. They must still place the roll in another category.

End of the Game

1. Game End:

   • The game ends after all players have filled in all 13 categories on their score sheet.

   • Players tally their scores from both sections and add any bonuses.

2. Winner:

   • The player with the highest total score wins.
     

Strategy Tips

1. Upper Section Bonus:

   • Aim for the Upper Section bonus by trying to score at least 63 points (an average of three of each number).

   • Prioritize scoring in the Upper Section early to increase your chances of getting the bonus.

2. Full House, Small, and Large Straights:

   • Use the second and third rolls strategically to aim for straights and full houses if you have a good starting roll.

   • Consider the probability of rolling needed numbers and adjust your dice-keeping strategy accordingly.

3. Yahtzee and Yahtzee Bonus:

   • Don't rely too heavily on rolling a Yahtzee; it’s rare but can significantly boost your score if it happens.

   • Use the Yahtzee bonus for extra points if you get multiple Yahtzees.

4. Chance:

   • Use the Chance category when you have a low-scoring roll that doesn’t fit any other category.

5. Balancing Risk and Reward:

   • Decide when to take risks with re-rolling and when to settle for a decent score in a category.