How to play Yahtzee

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How to play Yahtzee

Yahtzee is a dice game played over 13 rounds. Each turn you roll five dice up to three times, keeping whichever you like between rolls, then lock your final roll into one of thirteen scoring categories.

Rolling

You get up to three rolls per turn. After the first roll, tap any dice you want to keep — held dice are set aside — and roll again to reroll the rest.

Scoring categories

The upper section (ones through sixes) scores the sum of matching dice. The lower section rewards combinations: three/four of a kind, full house (25), small straight (30), large straight (40), Yahtzee (50) and chance (any total).

Upper bonus

Score 63 or more across the upper section — roughly three of each number — and you earn a 35-point bonus on top.

Extra Yahtzees

If you roll a second Yahtzee after already scoring 50 in that category, you bank a 100-point bonus and still use the dice in another open category.

Tips from the table

  • Don't force a straight if it costs you a near-certain three of a kind — take the safer points.
  • Leave chance or a weak upper category open as a safety valve for a bad final roll.
  • Go for the upper bonus early: banking sixes and fives when you roll them adds up fast.
  • A Yahtzee is worth chasing even late — 50 points plus a shot at the 100-point bonus later is huge.