11 Dice Games You Must Try This Year
Get ready to shake up your game nights as we dive into the exciting world of dice games, teaching you the rules and strategies for 11 must-try games that promise fun and competition for everyone involved!
Mastering these dice games will not only elevate your entertainment repertoire but also sharpen your strategic thinking and bring you closer to friends and family during memorable evenings full of laughter and challenge.
Though classics like Yahtzee and Farkle have their charms, exploring these lesser-known dice games opens up a whole new world of fun and creative play that goes beyond the ordinary.
These dice games are set to transform your game nights with unexpected twists and endless excitement!
1. Mafia
The Mafia dice game embraces a unique dice-based gameplay for two to eight players, where strategy meets chance.
Each player begins with five dice and a score of, say, 50 points on a scorecard. (the starting points can be raised for a longer game.)
The objective of the game is to be the first to discard all your dice, thereby winning rounds and scoring points.
Gameplay kicks off with each player rolling two of their five dice, and the player with the highest roll takes the lead.
During their turn, players roll all five of their dice. Rolling any sixes means passing those dice to the next player, while ones are removed from play entirely.
The turns continue with players rolling their remaining dice until one player manages to discard all their dice.
Scoring in Mafia is dynamic and tense. At the end of each round, players holding dice must roll them, and the total rolled becomes the number of points they lose, while the round winner gains points equal to the sum of all dice rolled in that round.
The game proceeds over a predetermined number of rounds, such as ten, and the player with the highest score at the end claims victory.
Check out our full guide on Mafia here.
2. Crag
Crag is a fast-paced dice game that combines strategy with the luck of the roll, perfect for players who enjoy both tactical decision-making and the thrill of chance.
Each player uses three dice and a scoresheet to track their progress, with the ultimate goal of amassing the highest score.
Gameplay is structured around turns, each consisting of up to two rolls. On their first roll, a player decides which dice to keep, based on their strategy, and re-rolls the others.
After their second roll, they must choose a scoring category on the scoresheet.
The scoring system in Crag rewards both consistency and specific combinations.
Basic scoring involves multiplying the face value of identical dice, such as scoring 4 points for two 2s.
More complex combinations include sequences like an Odd Run (1-3-5) or a High Run (4-5-6), each worth 20 points, or a Crag (a combination that sums to thirteen with a pair, such as 5-5-3), which scores a high 50 points.
The game continues until all players have completed their turns, and the scores are tallied to determine the winner.
Crag's blend of strategy and luck makes it an engaging dice game for both new and experienced players, providing endless possibilities each time the dice roll.
3. Midnight
Midnight is an exciting, high-stakes dice game that blends luck with strategic decision-making, making it perfect for players who enjoy a bit of gambling flair.
Each round starts with all participants placing an ante into the pot, ramping up the competition as players vie to win the accumulating chips.
The objective is simple yet challenging: roll six dice to achieve the highest possible score, but there's a twist—you must roll both a 1 and a 4 among your dice to qualify for scoring, with these two numbers acting as your gateway to tallying up points with the remaining four dice.
Gameplay involves each player rolling all six dice to begin. After each roll, the player chooses at least one die to keep, with the option to keep more if desired, rolling the rest again.
This continues until all dice are kept. Importantly, the coveted 1 and 4 can be secured at any stage during a player's turn; they do not need to be the first dice set aside.
If a player fails to secure both qualifying dice by the end of their turn, they score zero for that round.
The game proceeds with each player taking their turn, rolling, and strategizing which dice to keep to maximize their potential score.
The round concludes once all players have had a turn, and the individual with the highest valid score wins the pot.
Midnight's mix of risk and strategy makes every round an intense and thrilling challenge, ensuring that no two games are ever the same.
4. Going To Boston
Going to Boston is a classic dice game that offers straightforward gameplay with a competitive twist, making it ideal for players of all ages.
The game begins with each player rolling one die to determine the playing order, with the highest roll going first.
Gameplay consists of each player taking three consecutive rolls during their turn. On the first roll, the player keeps the highest number shown among the three dice.
They then proceed to roll the remaining two dice, keeping the highest number from this second roll.
The final roll involves just the one remaining die. The sum of these three dice constitutes the player's score for that round, which is then recorded.
Play continues to the left, with each participant rolling in turn and recording their scores.
Once all players have completed their rolls, the round concludes. The player with the highest total score for that round is declared the winner of the round.
The game is typically played over multiple rounds, with players aiming to win the most rounds to claim overall victory.
Going to Boston is celebrated for its simplicity and speed, providing quick rounds full of anticipation and excitement as players hope for high rolls to secure the win.
Check out our full guide on Going to Boston here.
5. Liar's Dice
Liar's Dice is a captivating game of bluff and strategy, involving a keen sense of deduction and the ability to deceive other players.
Each player begins with five six-sided dice and a cup (optional) for rolling and concealing their dice from others.
The objective of Liar's Dice is to make increasingly bold bids about the total number of specific dice faces showing across all players, or to challenge the accuracy of a previous player’s bid.
Gameplay starts with everyone rolling their dice under cover, keeping their results hidden. The first player, which can be anyone in the initial round, makes a bid, specifying a face value and the number of dice they believe are showing that value among all players' dice.
For example, a bid might be "six 3s," claiming that there are at least six dice showing a three.
Players then take turns to either increase the bid or challenge the previous one. Bids can be escalated by increasing the number of dice, the face value, or both.
If a player challenges a bid, all dice are revealed. If the dice do not meet the bid, the bidder loses one die; if the bid is met or exceeded, the challenger loses one die.
The game continues with players re-rolling their remaining dice. The player who lost a die in the previous round starts the next round by placing the first bid.
The rounds continue until players sequentially lose all their dice, with the last player possessing any dice declared the winner.
Liar’s Dice is not just a game of chance but a dramatic battle of wits, where players must balance between making believable bids and calling out their opponents’ bluffs, all while managing the risk of losing their own dice.
6. Martinetti
Martinetti is a fast-paced and engaging dice game that uses three dice, a Martinetti board, and playing markers for each participant.
The game's objective is straightforward: be the first to navigate your marker around the board to the final space.
Players advance their markers by rolling the dice to match the next sequential number on the board.
A successful roll can be achieved if any of the dice show the required number, or if the numbers on two or three dice can be combined to match it.
Gameplay begins with each player rolling all three dice on their turn. If the roll allows the player to advance by matching the next needed number, they move their marker accordingly and earn another roll.
This mechanic allows for potentially rapid progression around the board if a player continues to roll successfully.
If the player cannot advance based on the dice roll, the turn ends and moves clockwise to the next player.
The first player to reach the final '1' space on the board claims victory. Martinetti tests luck making it a thrilling game for players of all ages.
Check out our full guide on Martinetti here.
7. Cee-Lo
Cee-Lo is a popular dice game known for its simplicity and high stakes, often played in informal settings where betting adds an extra layer of excitement.
At the start of the game, each player rolls one die to determine who will act as the first banker, with the highest roller taking on this role.
The banker then places a bet with each player, setting the stage for a series of high-energy dice rolls.
The core of Cee-Lo is rolling for the best possible combination with three dice. Notable winning combinations include 4-5-6, any three of a kind, and a pair with a six, which are considered instant wins.
Conversely, rolling a 1-2-3 or a pair with a one results in an instant loss. Players can also roll a 'set point' with combinations like a pair plus any number from two to five, which requires further play to resolve the outcome.
Any other combination that doesn’t fit these criteria results in a 'dead roll,' necessitating a re-roll.
Gameplay proceeds with the banker rolling first. If the banker hits an instant win, they collect all bets. If they roll an instant loss, they pay out to all players.
Should the banker set a point, the challenge passes to the other players who then try to either match or beat the banker’s point or achieve an instant win on their turns.
The game moves quickly making Cee-Lo a thrilling experience for all participants.
8. Qwixx
Qwixx is a fast-paced dice game that combines simple rules with strategic decision-making, making it an engaging experience for two to five players.
Each player starts with a score sheet and a writing utensil, eagerly rolling a die to determine the starting player—the first to roll a 6 begins the game.
The objective is to accumulate points by strategically crossing out numbers on the score sheet. Each number must be crossed out from left to right within each of the colored rows, and once numbers are skipped, they cannot be crossed out later in the game.
During gameplay, the active player rolls all six dice and announces the sum of the two white dice.
All players may then choose to cross out the announced number on their score sheets. The active player also has the unique option to combine one white die with one colored die to cross out a corresponding number in the matching colored row.
As the game progresses, players must consider not just the numbers they cross but also the strategic implications of their choices, as crossing out the far right number in a row can lock that row for all players and remove the corresponding color die from the game.
Qwixx ends when a player marks off their fourth penalty box or when two dice are removed from the game, leading to a tally of scores based on crossed-out numbers and penalties. The player with the highest score wins.
Qwixx's blend of luck, strategy, and dynamic interaction provides an accessible yet deeply enjoyable challenge for all players, ensuring each game is filled with tension and excitement.
9. Ship Captain Crew
Ship Captain Crew is a thrilling dice game that combines elements of chance and strategy, making it a favorite among players who enjoy a good gamble with poker chips.
At the start of the game, each player antes up with a poker chip, setting the stage for a competitive round of dice rolling.
The objective is to roll the dice to secure a 'ship' (6), 'captain' (5), and 'crew' (4) in that order, with the remaining two dice representing the 'cargo', which determines the player's score.
Gameplay involves each player taking up to three rolls per turn. On each roll, the player aims to secure the ship, captain, and crew.
A ship must be rolled before a captain can be set aside, and both a ship and a captain must be present before setting aside a crew. Any dice that do not contribute to forming the ship, captain, or crew are rolled again.
Once a player has successfully rolled the ship, captain, and crew, the sum of the remaining two dice—the cargo—is calculated.
The game intensifies as players strive to achieve the highest cargo score to win the collective ante pot.
Ship Captain Crew not only tests players' luck but also their strategic thinking about when to keep certain dice and when to take a risk for a better cargo score.
10. Straight Shooter
Straight Shooter is a dynamic dice game that requires players to roll sequences to score points quickly.
Each game begins with players rolling a single die to determine the starting player, with the highest roll taking the first turn.
The objective is straightforward: be the first to accumulate 100 points by rolling sequences of numbers on six dice.
During each player's turn, all six dice are rolled, and points are awarded based on the longest sequential number pattern starting with a 1.
For instance, rolling a 1, 2, 2, 3, 6, 6 results in a sequence of 1, 2, 3, which scores 10 points.
The scoring system is tiered based on the length of the sequence, with longer sequences garnering more points.
The game moves in a clockwise direction, with each player striving to build the most valuable sequences to reach the 100-point mark swiftly.
The simplicity of the scoring table and the fast-paced nature of the game make Straight Shooter an engaging and competitive experience for players of all ages, perfect for quick, spirited gaming sessions.
Check out our full guide on Straight Shooter here.
11. Poker Dice
Poker Dice is an intriguing blend of dice games and poker, offering a unique twist on two classic forms of entertainment.
In this game, each of the five dice is marked with symbols representing different card ranks, such as Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, Tens, and Nines.
The game's objective is to roll the highest ranking poker hand possible among all players in a round, using up to three rolls to achieve the best combination.
Gameplay kicks off with a player rolling all five dice. After assessing the initial roll, the player decides which dice to retain for their poker hand and which to re-roll to improve their hand, mirroring the strategy employed in traditional poker.
Players have the option to roll the dice up to three times, aiming to secure one of the ranked hands—from a high-scoring five of a kind to a simple pair, or even just a high die if no combination is achieved.
Once each player has had their turn and set their final hand, the round concludes, and the player with the highest-ranking hand emerges as the winner.
Each round starts with an ante, creating a pot that the winner claims, enhancing the stakes and making each roll even more thrilling.
This combination of chance and strategic decision-making makes Poker Dice a captivating game for both dice game enthusiasts and poker fans alike.
Check out our full guide on Poker Dice here.
Dice Games Rolling
As we've explored the diverse world of dice games, from the strategic depths of Poker Dice to the quick thrills of Ship Captain Crew, there's truly something for everyone in this lineup.
Each game offers its own unique blend of excitement, strategy, and chance, promising not just fun but also the opportunity to sharpen your decision-making skills and enjoy quality time with friends and family.
I encourage you to roll the dice on one of these games today—whether you're gathering for a family game night or looking for a quick and engaging activity with friends, these games are sure to deliver unforgettable entertainment.
Grab a set of dice, pick a game, and let the good times roll!
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