Dice games
Rules in plain words for 5 dice games, from games you play alone to one for a big party. Each has a printable rule sheet and a scorekeeper.
Dice games
Bunco
A dice party game, usually played by 12 people at 3 tables of 4, in teams of 2.
Left Right Center
A dice game of pure luck for 3 or more players.
Shut the Box
A dice game played with a tray of tiles numbered 1 to 9.
What you need to play
- Yahtzee needs 5 dice, a score sheet for each player and a pencil.
- Farkle needs 6 dice, plus paper and a pencil to keep score.
- Bunco needs 3 dice for each table, a bell for the head table, a tally for each table, and a score sheet and pencil for each player.
- Left Right Center needs 3 LCR dice and 3 chips for each player. A box has 3 dice and 24 chips.
- Shut the Box needs a box with tiles numbered 1 to 9, and 2 dice. Paper and a pencil can stand in for the box.
Choosing a dice game
- Yahtzee and Shut the Box take 1 or more players, so either works alone. Farkle takes 2 or more.
- Left Right Center takes 3 or more players. Bunco is usually played by 12, with versions for 2 to 11 and for 16 or more.
- By stated playing time, Shut the Box takes about 2 to 3 minutes for each player, Left Right Center 10 to 20 minutes, and Yahtzee and Farkle about 30 minutes.
Questions
What dice games can a family play?
Yahtzee is for 1 or more players and Farkle for 2 or more. Shut the Box takes 1 or more, and Left Right Center takes 3 or more. Left Right Center is listed for ages 5 and up.
How many dice does each game use?
Yahtzee uses 5 dice and Farkle 6. Shut the Box uses 2 dice. Bunco uses 3 dice at each table. Left Right Center uses 3 special LCR dice.
What dice games can you play alone?
Yahtzee and Shut the Box. In Yahtzee you play the 13 turns on one score sheet and try to beat your best total. In Shut the Box you try to shut all 9 tiles, and score the tiles left open if you cannot.
What dice game works for a big group?
Bunco is usually played by 12, at 3 tables of 4, and its page has versions for 2 to 11 players and for 16 or more. Left Right Center takes 3 or more players and has a version for 9 or more.
Are there printable score sheets for dice games?
Yes. Every game on the site has a free printable score sheet and a one-page rule sheet. Yahtzee, Farkle and Bunco also have a page of their own for their score sheet. The scorekeeper on each game page keeps score on your phone.