What Is This Dice Game, Exactly? The Rules Explained Simply

If someone invited you to "a game" with dice and a score sheet and you're not sure what to expect, here's everything you need, without the jargon.

The equipment: just dice and a sheet

This game is played with 5 six-sided dice and a score sheet. No board, no cards, no pieces. That's what makes it a game you can pull out anywhere — here, the dice and the sheet are even handled automatically, so there's nothing to bring.

The idea in one sentence

Each turn, you roll the dice up to 3 times, keeping whichever ones you like between rolls, then record your result in one box on the score sheet. A game lasts 13 turns, one per box, and at the end everything is added up: the highest total wins.

A turn, step by step

1. First roll: all 5 dice are rolled at random.
2. You choose what to keep. For example, if you rolled three 6s, you set them aside and only re-roll the other two dice.
3. Second roll, only on the dice you didn't keep.
4. You adjust what you keep again, then a third and final roll is possible on whatever's left.
5. You record your result in one of the 13 still-empty categories on your score sheet.

You can stop after the 1st or 2nd roll if you're already happy with the result — going to the 3rd is never mandatory.

What does "recording in a category" mean?

The score sheet has 13 rows, each with its own rule: some score the sum of specific dice (the "Sixes" row counts every 6 you rolled, for example), others reward a specific combination (three matching dice, a run of consecutive values, or all 5 dice matching for the best one of all). Each row can only be used once per game — once filled, you can't go back to it.

Every category and its point value is detailed on the full rules page, and each term is defined simply in the glossary if a word trips you up mid-game.

What if nothing useful comes up?

That happens often, especially late in the game: you still have to fill a box every turn. If nothing fits, you enter 0 in whichever category you're willing to sacrifice — as much a strategic call as a rule.

How long does a game take?

Count on 15 to 20 minutes solo, a bit more with friends since everyone plays their own 13 turns in sequence. Short enough to jump straight into a second game right after.

Ready to try it yourself? Start a solo game to see it in practice, or check how it compares to other dice games you might already know.