Farkle Rules

There are so many dice games out there, but many require unusual dice, playing surfaces, etc.  So we held an impromptu survey here at Farkle Rules, to find out what the 5 best dice games were, which needed nothing more than dice, maybe a dice cup, and a score sheet.

#1 - Farkle

- dice and paper for a wild time
For 2 to 8 players, ages 7 and up. An ancient game, still popular today. Commercial version called “Farkel” marketed by Legendary Games. Similar to 10,000, Zilch, Wipeout, Dix Mille, and several others.

A “press your luck” dice game, players roll 6 dice repeatedly, excluding scoring dice until they choose to pass the dice or “Farkle” and lose all points for the round. Easy to learn, easy to play, there are many variations in the rules. Games typically take about 15 minutes per game.

#2 - Yahtzee

- grand daddy of the modern dice game
For 1 to 6 players, ages 7 and up. Designed by Edwin Lowe, published by Hasbro.
Numerous variations on this came including American Yahtzee, Swedish Yahtzee, Maxi Yahtzee (6 dice), Triple Yahtzee (3 columns) and Kismet (colors).

The grandfather of modern dice games, there are numerous versions of Yahtzee available, and seemingly everyone has a box tucked away somewhere in their home. You roll the dice, trying to get specific sets and thus earning points. Yahtzee takes about 20 minutes per game.

#3 - Bunco

- the ultimate social event game
For 8 to hundreds, ages 7 and up. Traditional dice game actively played since World War I. Numerous commercial versions available. Sometimes spelled Bunko or Bonco.

Players compete in teams, changing teammates constantly to score points rolling the progressive trump among 3 dice. As much a social event known for eating, drinking and talking as for game play. Almost exclusively a women’s game, 7,000,000 a year play Bunco under everone’s Radar. Admittedly no strategy to this one, yet still, a good time is usually had by all. One night of bunco (three sets) typically takes about 3 hours to play.

#4 - Liar’s Dice

- for the larceny in all of us
For 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up. Old game, part of the pirate lore of the turn of the century. Commercial version designed by Richard Borg, various publishers. Also known as Call my Bluff, Dudo, Mexicali, and others.

A perennial favorite , Liar’s Dice goes in and out of print with some regularity. Each player rolls five dice and keeps the result secret from other players. They then take turns bidding on the total results. of all the hands. (e.g. “There are seven 5s.” or “I say there are eight 2s.”) Great fun with good friends. Liar’s Dice takes about 20 minutes per game.

#5 - Aces

- game of survival
For 3 to 8 players, ages 8 and up. International game of dice survival, with ancient roots.

Extremely popular in Asia, each player starts the game with five dice which they lose according to the numbers they throw.  Everyone stays involved until the very last throw. The person to roll a one on the last remaining die wins / or loses depending on what the prize/penalty is.  About 10 minutes a Game.

Honorable Mentions

Street Craps - great game, but the betting is flawed

Choice - Great game, just a little complex for home scoresheets

Scumbag - Great drinking game, but not much to be said for while sober!

I’m sure this will foment some disagreement - if we’ve left something out, why not let us know.