There’s a game that involves five dice and a score sheet called Yahtzee, which I’m teaching to my daughter. I like it because, while it involves an element of luck, it also requires some strategy.
“In the upper section, each box is scored by summing the total number of dice faces matching that box. For example, if a player were to roll three ‘twos,’ the score would be recorded as 6 in the twos box. If a player scores a total of at least 63 points, [which corresponds to three-of-a-kind for each of the six rows], a bonus of 35 points is added to the upper section score.
“The lower section contains a number of poker-themed combinations with specific point values
Three-Of-A-Kind (At least three dice showing the same face) – Sum of all dice
Four-Of-A-Kind (At least four dice showing the same face -Sum of all dice
Full House (A three-of-a-kind and a pair) – 25 points
Small Straight (Four sequential dice: 1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, or 3-4-5-6) – 30 points
Large Straight (Five sequential dice: 1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6) – 40 points
Yahtzee (All five dice showing the same face) 50 points
Chance (Any combination) often acts as a discarded box for a turn that will not fit in another category”
The strategy comes when one gets a roll that could be used in more than one box. For instance, if one has rolled 2-2-6-6-6, should it be taken as three sixes in the upper box, as three of a kind in the lower box, or as a full house in the lower box? One has to guesstimate how likely it is to get another roll in the categories not chosen. In other words, math probabilities are involved, though one does not have to be a human calculator to enjoy the game.
Given the number of years the game has been sold, it’s possible that you have a copy of the game in your attic right now.
ABC Wednesday – Round 13
Oh family fun games. Yes we have this game and I must say this has prompted me to find it ready for our family get together on Friday.
Happy New Year Roger.
Sadly, I never got the hand of Yahtzee. Our family game of choice is RummyQ.
Oh I remember this game – used to love it! It’s been some time since I’ve played.
Wishing you and your lovely family an awesome 2014 – may it bring you peace, good health, happiness and success!
Our family game of choice is Yahtzee. My favorite game.
This is very much new to me.
I don’t think I’ve ever played yahtzee which is surprising in a way given the number of games my family has played through the year. Great one for Y. Happy New Years to you and yours!
Yahtzee brings back fond memories for me. My mother-in-law loved to play and had an uncanny ability to win. She died not long after my wife and I were married. Yahtzee still makes me think of her. Happy New Year from An Arkie’s Musings
Yahtzee is such a fun game. Must get it out and play it soon. Happy New Year.
ann
YAHTZEE! That was shouted Christmas night at my house. We played board games and trivia into the wee hours of the morning this holiday. Some games were new and some were old favorites like Yahtzee and Careers. Great word!
Happy New Year!
The name sounds familiar but I can not remember playing it, looks the ideal Christmas game.
Never heard of this game ! I used to play chess with my father that was the only game he ever played with me.
This is new to me and what I like is it is based not on luck alone.
A very Happy New Year to you!
My family love Yahtzee, so it’s a regular in most of our family gatherings. My wife and I even have it on our iPhones, and my youngest daughter gave me a Big Bend National Park version for Father’s day – LOL! Happy New Year, my friend!