The Best Dice Games
Every good game is built on one common action - the roll of the dice. Dice are used in games to add strategy and chance, and the core of dice games ranges from mathematical approach to random fast-paced action. Because of their universal appeal, both adults and kids love dice games, as they're easy to learn, require some strategy, and rest on a bit of luck. There are mountains of dice games out there, so we took to the market and did the research to help you to find the very best ones.
What to Look For
In our search for the very best dice games, we narrowed down games based on three questions: Is it easy to set up? Can it be played with multiple people? Is it portable and easy to store? Our absolute favorite was the classic game Yahtzee because it can be played among a large group of family and friends and the setup takes no time at all. Plus, it has a newly designed shaker in which you can store the dice so you’ll never lose track of them. However, if you’re looking for a new game that really makes game night a blast, then check out Left Center Right. With simple rules and minimal setup, you can take it out and play right away. It comes in a durable metal box that stores all the pieces, and you can even substitute the chips for real money for a truly high-stakes experience. We all love to game, so read on below to find our list of the very best dice games and the reasons why we loved each of them so much.
Yahtzee
The gold standard
The classic dice game gets a sharp, high-roller makeover with casino dice and a sleek new shaker. If you haven’t played yet, Yahtzee involves rolling five dice to create specific number combinations. You get a total of 13 turns and may roll up to three times on a turn. At the end of each turn, you must fill in one empty combination box in your column on the scorecard. If you roll all five of the same number, you get to scream “Yahtzee” as loud as you like. Each game comes with dice, a shaker, 100 score sheets, and easy-to-read directions.
Pros:
- The new style of shaker doubles as a storage case for your dice, so you won’t lose them.
- It’s perfect for family reunions and parties because it can be played with any amount of people.
- Because of its counting gameplay and simple rules, it’s a great tool for young kids looking to develop math skills.
Cons:
- It’s not a quiet game, and some friends may get a little overzealous with the screaming part.
Left Center Right
Pass the chips
If you’re looking for a dice game that’s great for three or more players, Left Center Right is an exciting and high-stakes choice. Each game includes three specially marked LCR dice, 24 playing chips, and game instructions. Players roll the dice to determine which direction they pass their chips: to the left, center, or right. Then, the last player with chips is the winner. Some players enjoy creating a “pot” in the center that’s awarded to the winner at the end of the game, making Left Center Right the perfect party game.
Pros:
- Because of its minimal setup and easy rules, you can play it in any setting. It’s the perfect game for a group hangout or even as a fun way to break up the formality at work.
- The old-fashioned tin box looks classy and is more durable than ordinary cardboard boxes.
- You can substitute the small blue chips for coins or even dollar bills if you’re looking for a higher stake game.
Cons:
- You might find that the small blue chips are easy to misplace.
Qwixx
Game night for everyone
Qwixx is the family dice game that everyone plays at the same time. The game features two white dice and four dice of different colors, with each color matching a row of numbers on the scorecard. On their turn, a player rolls the dice, and everyone marks off a score on their card. All players can cross off the total of the white dice on any row, while the active player may also use colored dice to cross off a number on the corresponding colored row. The more numbers you cross off, the higher your score. The typical game only lasts 15 minutes, and the action never stops.
Pros:
- Each game is quick, so you’ll be able to fit multiple games in one night.
- It has a quick setup and teardown time that allows you to fit in a game at any time of the day.
- The deluxe edition comes with dry-erase score sheets, so you can use them again and again while saving on paper.
Cons:
- It might be a bit of a struggle to keep up for players with lower math skills.
Tenzi
Child's play
One of the best games you can get for kids, Tenzi is a dice game that helps develop fast reactions. Every player gets 10 dice. All players then roll their dice at the same time as fast as possible, and the player who gets all dice on the same number and yells “Tenzi” is the winner. What’s especially cool is that there’s not just one way to play Tenzi, so the set includes instructions for other Tenzi game variants, including Splitzi, Tenzi Tower, and Mega Tenzi. It’s perfect for game nights with little ones since it requires no math skills.
Pros:
- We found that it works great as a holiday or birthday party gift since it’s so fast to set up and get the whole crowd playing.
- It’s a simple game to learn in minutes and perfect for even the youngest of kids to practice and master their number skills.
- Thanks to the variability of the dice, there are over 80 game variations available, so you’ll be able to play it in different ways for years to come.
Cons:
- It requires a lot of dice, so you need to be careful not to lose any.
Liar’s Dice
Cheaters sometimes prosper
Liar’s Dice is a game of bluffing and chance that will test the talents of your poker face. Each player rolls the dice at the same time but does not show their roll to their opponents. Players then try to out-bid, out-bluff, and out-last their opponents by issuing bids or challenges about how many dice are showing a specific number. Front Porch Classics’ Liar’s Dice set comes in a cool wooden box that looks like a large dice and includes four plastic dice shakers, 20 game dice, and a dice storage bag.
Pros:
- We found that the interactive nature of calling out bluffs and bids makes the game not only great for family and friends but also a fun office party experience that loosens everyone up.
- The whole game is contained within one stylish dice-shaped box, so you can easily carry it with you to parties or on family vacations.
Cons:
- There is no time limit to the game, so you may have to set your own if you have somewhere to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the chances of rolling a particular number with a pair of dice?
There’s a 16.67% chance you’ll roll a 7 every time you roll a pair of dice, which is a higher percentage than the odds of any other roll. With a pair of 6-sided dice, six different combinations add up to seven. Five combinations add up to six and eight. The most unlikely rolls are two and 12. These have a 2.78% chance of coming up on any given roll.
Aren’t we supposed to call one dice a “die?”
Yes and no. Technically, dice is the plural form of the noun, while die is the singular form. Thus, if you have one 6-sided cube in your hand, you are said to be “rolling the die.” However, because English is an ever-changing language, it’s now considered acceptable to use “dice” when referring to one or several dice.
Is there a way to throw dice so that the same number comes up every time?
That’s called “cheating,” which may get you thrown out of Family Yahtzee Night. There are, of course, some techniques that may increase your odds of rolling certain numbers. However, we suggest rolling fairly so that your rolls are truly randomized.
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