Farkle
A push-your-luck dice game where players roll six dice, scoring combinations and deciding whether to risk their points for more or bank what they have.
What You'll Need
About This Game
A push-your-luck dice game where players roll six dice, scoring combinations and deciding whether to risk their points for more or bank what they have.
How to Play
- Roll all six dice
- Must set aside at least one scoring die per roll:
- Single 1 = 100, Single 5 = 50
- Three of a kind = number × 100 (three 1s = 1,000)
- Four of a kind = 2× three of a kind
- Five of a kind = 4× three of a kind
- Six of a kind = 8× three of a kind
- Straight (1-6) = 1,500, Three pairs = 1,500
- After scoring dice, choose: bank points or roll remaining dice
- 'Farkle' (no scoring dice) = lose turn's points
- If all 6 dice score, roll all 6 again ('hot dice')
- First to 10,000 points triggers final round
- Highest score wins
Where to Buy
History & Background
Farkle's exact origins are unknown, but similar dice games have been played for centuries. The push-your-luck mechanic of setting aside scoring dice and risking the rest appears in numerous traditional games worldwide.
The game goes by many names: Farkle, Farkel, 10000, Zilch, Hot Dice, and dozens of regional variants. Each community often has its own "official" scoring rules passed down through generations.
The name "Farkle" may come from the phrase "getting farkled" (going bust), though folk etymology suggests various origins. The game was trademarked in 1996, though the underlying game is public domain.
Farkle experienced a resurgence in popularity with mobile gaming apps in the 2010s. The simple rules combined with genuine strategic decisions (when to stop rolling) have kept it popular for casual family play and competitive tournaments alike.