How to Play Yahtzee
The classic dice game everyone knows and loves
Objective
Score the most points by rolling dice combinations across 13 different categories over the course of the game.
Players
1-6 players. Can be played solo for high score challenges or competitively with any number.
Equipment
5 standard six-sided dice, a scoresheet with 13 categories, and a dice cup (optional).
Game Length
13 rounds per player - one turn to fill each scoring category. About 20-30 minutes.
Game Setup
Gather Equipment
You need 5 dice and a scoresheet for each player. Official Yahtzee sets include a dice cup, but any container works.
Determine First Player
Each player rolls all 5 dice. Highest total goes first. Play proceeds clockwise.
Understand the Scoresheet
The sheet has two sections: Upper Section (Ones through Sixes) and Lower Section (special combinations). Each category is used exactly once.
Taking Your Turn
First Roll
Roll all 5 dice. Look at the results and decide what combination you're trying to make.
Second Roll (Optional)
Set aside any dice you want to keep and reroll the rest. You can pick up previously set aside dice if you change your mind.
Third Roll (Optional)
Same as the second roll - keep what you want, reroll what you don't. This is your final roll.
Score Your Turn
Choose one open category and write your score. If you can't score anywhere, you must put a 0 in an open category.
You Can Stop Early
If you're happy after your first or second roll, you don't have to use all three rolls. Score immediately if you want!
Important Rules
One Category Per Turn
You must fill in exactly one category per turn, and you can never change a score once written. Choose wisely!
Taking a Zero
Sometimes you'll roll poorly and can't score well in any open category. You must still choose a category and take a 0 for it. This is a strategic decision!
Upper Section
For each upper section category, add up only the dice showing that number.
Upper Section Categories
Upper Section Bonus
If your upper section total is 63 or more, you earn a 35-point bonus! Target: average 3 of each number (3+6+9+12+15+18 = 63).
Lower Section
Lower Section Categories
Straights Explained
Small Straight (30 pts)
Any 4 dice in sequence: 1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, or 3-4-5-6. The 5th die can be anything.
Large Straight (40 pts)
All 5 dice in sequence: 1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6. Only two possible combinations!
Yahtzee Bonus
Multiple Yahtzees
If you roll a second Yahtzee (and your Yahtzee box isn't zero), you get a 100-point bonus! Plus, you must score in another category using special "Joker rules":
- First, try to score in the matching upper section
- If that's filled, score in any open lower section category
- A Yahtzee counts as any Full House, Straight, or the of-a-kinds
Final Scoring
Score Calculation
Good Score Benchmarks
- Beginner: 150-200 points
- Average: 200-250 points
- Good: 250-300 points
- Excellent: 300+ points
- Maximum possible: 1,575 points (with 13 Yahtzees!)
Upper Section Strategy
Chase the 35-Point Bonus
The upper bonus is worth fighting for! You need 63 points (average of 3 each number). Focus on getting at least 3 of each, prioritizing 5s and 6s since they're worth more.
Sacrifice Low Numbers
Ones and Twos are worth sacrificing if needed. Taking a 0 or 1 in Ones hurts less than taking a low Sixes score.
Lower Section Strategy
Early Game: Go for Straights
Large Straights are hard to roll. If you see 3-4 sequential numbers early, chase the straight before using up your "safe" categories.
Full House is Flexible
Full House is a flat 25 points regardless of dice values. Save it as a backup option when chasing other combinations.
Save Chance for Emergencies
Chance is your safety net - any roll works. Don't waste it early! But if you roll high (25+), it might be worth taking.
Yahtzee is High Risk/Reward
Don't obsess over Yahtzee, but if you roll 3-4 of a kind in high numbers, it's worth chasing. Remember: even if you miss, you might get Four of a Kind!
Decision Making
When to Take a Zero
Sometimes you must sacrifice a category. Best categories to zero:
- Yahtzee: If you haven't rolled one by late game
- Large Straight: Very hard to roll
- Ones: Maximum loss is only 5 points
Expected Values
Know what each category is typically worth:
- Upper numbers: 3× the number (Three 4s = 12)
- Three of a Kind: ~15-20 points average
- Four of a Kind: ~20-25 points average
- Full House: Always 25
- Small Straight: Always 30
- Large Straight: Always 40
- Chance: ~20-25 points average
Advanced Tips
- Track opponents: In competitive play, know what categories they've filled to anticipate their moves
- Rolling odds: You have about a 5% chance of Yahtzee, 40% for Full House, 30% for Large Straight
- First roll analysis: Pairs are good starts - keep them and reroll others
- Don't be greedy: If you have a good score, take it rather than risk losing it on another roll
Popular Variations
Play with three score columns. First column scores normal, second column is doubled, third column is tripled. Much longer game with higher scores!
Must fill categories in order from top to bottom. Much harder! Forces difficult decisions early when you might have to zero a category.
Add a timer - 30 seconds per turn including rolling and choosing. Fast and frantic!
Card-based version where players race to match cards instead of dice. Same combinations but faster gameplay.
House Rules
Yahtzee is worth 100 points instead of 50. Makes the game more exciting when someone rolls one!
Simplified bonus Yahtzees: just take the 100-point bonus and score 0 in any category. Easier to remember.
Bonus increases for every point over 63: 35 base + 2 per extra point. Rewards exceptional upper section play.