Yahtzee
Thirteen rounds, three rolls each, and one box you will regret leaving empty.
Lost the score pad or the rules leaflet? Everything you need is below, including the joker rule almost nobody remembers correctly.
A turn
Roll all five dice. You may re-roll any of them twice more, keeping whichever you like between rolls, including dice you had set aside. After your third roll you must write a score in exactly one empty box.
Upper section
Six boxes, one per number. Score the total of the dice showing that number: three fours scores twelve in the Fours box.
Score 63 or more across the six and you get a 35 point bonus. Sixty-three is three of each number, which is the pace to keep in mind.
Lower section
- Three of a kind — total of all five dice.
- Four of a kind — total of all five dice.
- Full house — three of one number and two of another, 25 points.
- Small straight — four in a row, 30 points.
- Large straight — five in a row, 40 points.
- Yahtzee — five of a kind, 50 points.
- Chance — total of all five dice, whatever they are.
The joker rule
Roll a second Yahtzee with the 50 box already filled and scored, and you take a 100 point bonus. Then you must still fill a box: use the matching upper box if it is free, otherwise any lower box, where the Yahtzee counts as a joker and scores full house 25, small straight 30 or large straight 40 regardless of the dice.
If your Yahtzee box holds a zero, there is no bonus, and the same box rules apply.
Scoring zero
You must write something every turn. When nothing fits, choose the box that costs least and write a zero. Most players sacrifice Ones early rather than lose a straight later.
Questions
Can I re-roll dice I already set aside?
Yes. Nothing is locked. You may pick a die back up on your second or third roll.
Does a Yahtzee count as a full house?
Only under the joker rule, once your Yahtzee box is filled. On its own it does not.
What is a good Yahtzee score?
Around 250 is a solid game. Over 300 means the bonus landed and at least one Yahtzee turned up.