Ship Captain Crew
Also known as: Ship of Fools, Clickety-clack
Race to build your ship and maximize cargo in this quick dice-rolling duel. Pure luck meets strategic risk-taking as you battle head-to-head for the highest haul in under 20 minutes.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
Roll to get a ship (6), captain (5), and crew (4) in order. Remaining dice are your cargo score.
How to Play
**Setup:** Five dice. Agree on stakes.
**Gameplay:**
- Roll all five dice. You get three rolls per turn
- First, set aside a 6 (Ship), then a 5 (Captain), then a 4 (Crew) - must get them in order
- Once you have Ship-Captain-Crew, your remaining two dice are "cargo"
- Reroll cargo dice to maximize their sum (your score)
**Scoring:** Your cargo score is the sum of the two dice after setting aside 6-5-4.
**Winning:** Highest cargo score wins. If you can't get 6-5-4, you score 0.
History & Background
Ship Captain Crew (also known as Ship of Fools or Clickety-clack) is a traditional bar dice game that has been popular in American and British pubs since the early 20th century. The game's nautical theme reflects its origins among sailors and dock workers who needed quick, portable games for entertainment.
The game represents assembling a ship's crew before setting sail: you need a Ship (6), a Captain (5), and a Crew (4) before your remaining dice count as cargo. This sequential requirement creates tension as players desperately try to roll their ship before running out of turns.
Ship Captain Crew remains popular in bars and at game nights because it requires no equipment beyond five dice, takes only minutes to play, and creates natural excitement as players race against probability.
Learn More
Rules & How to Play
1 linkVideos
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1 linkFrequently Asked Questions
Can you play Ship Captain Crew with 2 players?
Yes! Ship Captain Crew is an excellent choice for 2 players — in fact, it's designed specifically for a duo. You'll get the full experience without any compromises.
How long does Ship Captain Crew take to play?
A typical game of Ship Captain Crew takes about 10-20 min. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Ship Captain Crew?
To play Ship Captain Crew, you need: 5 dice. That's it — no special equipment required.
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