The Official Rules of Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a classic dice game that combines luck and strategy. The objective is to score points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations. The game is played over 13 rounds, and the player with the highest total score wins.
Game Overview
Players: 1 or more players
Equipment: Five six-sided dice, Yahtzee score card
Objective: Score the most points by rolling dice combinations that match scoring categories
Game Length: 13 rounds (one for each scoring category)
How to Play
- Roll the Dice: On your turn, roll all five dice.
- Evaluate and Keep: After rolling, you may set aside any dice you want to keep and reroll the others. You can keep different dice on each roll.
- Second Roll: Roll the dice you didn't keep. After this roll, you again decide which dice to keep.
- Final Roll: Roll the dice you didn't keep from the second roll. You now have your final dice combination.
- Score: Choose one of the 13 scoring categories to record your score. Each category can only be used once per game.
- Next Turn: The next player takes their turn, or you continue if playing solo.
- Game End: The game ends when all 13 categories have been filled on each player's score card.
Scoring Categories
Upper Section
Ones
Sum of all dice showing 1
Example: 1,1,3,4,5 scores 2 points
Twos
Sum of all dice showing 2
Example: 2,2,3,4,6 scores 4 points
Threes
Sum of all dice showing 3
Example: 1,3,3,5,6 scores 6 points
Fours
Sum of all dice showing 4
Example: 2,4,4,4,5 scores 12 points
Fives
Sum of all dice showing 5
Example: 1,3,5,5,6 scores 10 points
Sixes
Sum of all dice showing 6
Example: 2,4,6,6,6 scores 18 points
Upper Section Bonus
If your total score in the upper section is 63 or more, you get a bonus of 35 points
Note: 63 points is equivalent to scoring three of each number (3×1 + 3×2 + 3×3 + 3×4 + 3×5 + 3×6 = 63)
Lower Section
Three of a Kind
At least three dice showing the same number
Score: Sum of all dice
Example: 3,3,3,4,5 scores 18 points (3+3+3+4+5)
Four of a Kind
At least four dice showing the same number
Score: Sum of all dice
Example: 2,2,2,2,5 scores 13 points (2+2+2+2+5)
Full House
Three of one number and two of another
Score: 25 points
Example: 3,3,3,5,5 scores 25 points
Small Straight
Four sequential dice (1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, or 3-4-5-6)
Score: 30 points
Example: 1,2,3,4,6 scores 30 points
Large Straight
Five sequential dice (1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6)
Score: 40 points
Example: 1,2,3,4,5 scores 40 points
Chance
Any combination of dice
Score: Sum of all dice
Example: 2,3,4,5,6 scores 20 points (2+3+4+5+6)
YAHTZEE
Five of a kind (all five dice showing the same number)
Score: 50 points
Example: 4,4,4,4,4 scores 50 points
Yahtzee Bonus
If you roll additional Yahtzees after scoring 50 in the Yahtzee category
Score: 100 points bonus for each additional Yahtzee
Note: If your first Yahtzee was scored as 0, you do not get a Yahtzee bonus
Strategy Tips
Upper Section Strategy
- Aim for at least three of each number to reach the 63-point threshold for the bonus
- Prioritize higher numbers (fours, fives, sixes) when possible
- If you're unlikely to get the bonus, consider sacrificing lower numbers
Advanced Tips
- Early in the game, focus on the upper section to secure your bonus
- If you roll a Yahtzee early, try to get additional Yahtzees for the 100-point bonuses
- Sometimes it's better to take a zero in a low-value category than to waste a good roll
- Keep track of which categories you've filled to plan your strategy for remaining rolls
Special Rules
Joker Rules
If you roll a Yahtzee but have already filled the Yahtzee category, special rules apply:
- If you scored 50 in the Yahtzee category, you get a 100-point Yahtzee bonus
- You can use this Yahtzee as a "joker" in the lower section, meaning you can place it in any lower section category
- If the corresponding upper section category is still open, you must use it there