Yahtzee
Roll, strategize, and outscore your opponent in this fast-paced classic where every decision counts. Push your luck for the perfect combo or play it safe—13 tense rounds determine the winner.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
The classic dice game of poker-style combinations. Roll five dice up to three times, trying to score in different categories for the best total.
How to Play
**Objective:** Score the most points over 13 rounds by rolling dice to make specific combinations.
**On Your Turn:** Roll all 5 dice, set aside keepers, reroll up to 2 more times. Score result in one category.
**Upper Section:** Score matching numbers × count (Ones through Sixes). Bonus: 35 pts if total ≥63.
**Lower Section:**
| Category | Requirement | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 3 of a Kind | Three matching | Sum of all 5 |
| 4 of a Kind | Four matching | Sum of all 5 |
| Full House | 3 + pair | 25 pts |
| Small Straight | 4 consecutive | 30 pts |
| Large Straight | 5 consecutive | 40 pts |
| Yahtzee | All 5 match | 50 pts |
| Chance | Anything | Sum of all 5 |
**Yahtzee Bonus:** Additional Yahtzees = 100 bonus pts each.
Where to Buy
History & Background
Yahtzee was invented in 1954 by a Canadian couple who called it "The Yacht Game" because they played it on their yacht with friends. The game was likely inspired by older public domain dice games like Yacht and Generala.
The couple approached game entrepreneur Edwin S. Lowe (who had also popularized Bingo) to make copies as gifts. Lowe saw commercial potential and bought the rights. He trademarked the name "Yahtzee" in 1956.
Lowe initially struggled to sell Yahtzee to retailers, so he hosted "Yahtzee parties" where people learned to play - attendees then became customers. The party strategy worked brilliantly.
Hasbro acquired the game in 1973. Yahtzee has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games in history. The basic game mechanic - rolling dice to make poker-like combinations - dates back centuries, but Lowe's packaging and marketing made it a household name.
Learn More
BoardGameGeek
1 linkRules & How to Play
1 linkVideos
1 linkBackground
1 linkFrequently Asked Questions
Can you play Yahtzee with 2 players?
Yes, Yahtzee can be played with 2 players. It's a great choice for couples and pairs.
How long does Yahtzee take to play?
A typical game of Yahtzee takes about 20-30 minutes. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Yahtzee?
To play Yahtzee, you need: 5 dice, Yahtzee score pad, and Dice cup (optional).
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