This portion of our web guide focuses on dice games or those incorporating one or more dice as their sole or central component.
Dice have been part of gaming for thousands of years, shaping the structure and culture of several games.
The use of dice dates back to ancient Mesopotamia, around 3000 BC, with early dice made from materials like bone, ivory, and wood. These early forms of dice were used for divination and playing simple games. The ancient Romans and Greeks integrated dice into various social and strategic games, as well. Throughout history, the significance of dice has evolved from tools of prophecy to elements of gambling and entertainment. By the Middle Ages, dice games were widespread across Europe and Asia, influencing several gaming traditions and rules.
The most common type of die is the six-side cube (also known as D6), featuring dots (pips) representing numbers one through six. These numbers are arranged such that the sum of the numbers on opposite faces equals seven, ensuring balance and fairness in rolls. Standard dice are typically made of materials like plastic, wood, or metal, chosen for durability and consistency.
The term "loaded dice" is a reference to dice that have been tampered with or altered to unfairly influence the outcome of a roll. This can be done by adding weight to one side of the die or reshaping it to favor specific numbers, ensuring a predictable and often advantageous result for the user.
Dice come in various shapes and sizes, usually classified by the number of sides. These include D4 (tetrahedron), D6 (cube), D8 (octahedron), D10 (pentagonal trapezohedron), D12 (dodecahedron), and D20 (icosahedron). These polyhedral dice are staples in role-playing games (RPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons, where different-sided dice determine outcomes for various actions, introducing an element of chance and strategy.
Although dice play a role in many board games, as well as some other games, they are the sole (or a central) component of several others.
Invented in the 1950s, Yahtzee uses five dice. Players roll the dice to create specific combinations, such as three-of-a-kind, straights, and full houses. The game's objective is to score the highest points through these combinations.
Liar's Dice is a bluffing game that involves hiding rolled dice and making bids about the total number of dice showing a certain number. Players challenge bids, requiring a balance of strategy and deceptions.
Perudo shares many core mechanics and rules with Liar's Dice and may be considered variations of the same game. The game involves bidding on the number of dice showing a particular value among all players' dice. It combines strategy, bluffing, and probability. Perudo often includes additional regional rules and variations in gameplay.
Still a popular gambling game, the origins of Craps can be traced back to ancient Rome, where soldiers would roll pig knuckles on their shields, coining the phrase "rolling the bones." Over time, the game was influenced by the English game of Hazard and the Arabic game of Azzahr. By the early 19th century, a simplified version of Hazard, named "Craps," had emerged in New Orleans, brought over by French soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars. Craps is played with two six-sided dice. Players bet on the outcome of rolls, with various betting options influencing the complexity and excitement of the game.
In Farkle, players roll six dice, the objective being specific scoring combinations, like triples or straights. The game involves risk management, as players can continue rolling to accumulate points or stop to avoid losing accumulated scores.
With the rise of digital platforms, dice games have adapted to online formats. Applications and video games now offer virtual dice-rolling experiences, broadening accessibility and allowing innovative gameplay mechanics. However, the tactile satisfaction of rolling physical dice remains unmatched for many enthusiasts.
This category focuses on the strategy, history, and other information related to games played solely with dice or for which dice play the central role. Computer or online dice games are covered in our guide's Computers & Internet section, while retail sales sites should be listed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.
Recommended Resources
The Art of Craps is a resource for anyone interested in learning or mastering the game of Craps. The site offers a variety of content, including Craps Basics (guides and tutorials for beginners; explaining the rules, terminology, and betting strategies), Craps Simulator (an online tool that allows players to practice craps for free, using a random number generator to simulate dice rolls), and Advanced Strategies (tips and techniques for more experienced players looking to improve their game).
https://www.artofcraps.com/
The website is dedicated to dice games, offering a variety of resources, including rules, strategies, and guides for numerous dice-based games, including free printable score sheets and cards, official dice game rules, historical information, humor, and dice game player gift items. The website includes data on the 10,000 dice game, Bunco, Farkle, Pig, Skunk, and Yahtzee, including the objectives of the game, gameplay, the type of dice used, scoring, and other resources.
https://dicegamecentral.com/
Offering information, tips, and strategies for playing craps and other dice games, the site provides a history of dice, a game that was played during ancient times. Topics include tips on playing online craps, recognizing crooked or loaded dice, and the use of controlled throws. The rules of craps, a glossary of terms, determining odds, and other information about good craps play are provided, along with an alphabetized list of dice games, recommended dice game favorites, and other tips.
http://www.dice-play.com/
Bunco is a dice game with twelve or more players, divided into groups of four, trying to score points while taking turns rolling three dice in a series of six rounds. A bunco is achieved when a person rolls three of a kind, and all three numbers match the round number, which is decided at the beginning of the round. The WBA was chartered in 1996 and is dedicated to promoting and preserving the game of Bunco. They organize events, tournaments, and group activities.
http://www.worldbunco.com/
"The Yahtzee Manifesto" is a book by Louise Procter and Rick McAllister that serves as a comprehensive guide to the game of Yahtzee. It offers a mix of humor and serious strategy, providing tips, tricks, and techniques for novice and experienced players. Several sections of the book are available online, scorecards can be printed out, the rules are available in PDF format, and strategies and odds are highlighted. The book and games can be purchased online.
https://www.yahtzeemanifesto.com/
