How to play Yatzy

Yatzy is played with five dice, a score sheet and something to write with. The game works for one to six players, and everyone plays in turn. The youngest player usually starts, and play continues clockwise.

On your turn you roll all five dice. You may keep any dice you like and reroll the rest, up to two more times. After at most three rolls you must enter the result in one of the rows on the score sheet.

Each row can only be used once. If nothing fits, you must cross out a row and score zero there.

The score sheet has an upper and a lower section. In the upper section you enter the sum of your ones, twos, threes, fours, fives and sixes. If your upper section totals at least 63 points, you get a 50 point bonus.

The lower section consists of:

• One pair: the sum of two equal dice
• Two pairs: the sum of two different pairs
• Three of a kind: the sum of three equal dice
• Four of a kind: the sum of four equal dice
• Small straight: 1-2-3-4-5, worth 15 points
• Large straight: 2-3-4-5-6, worth 20 points
• Full house: three of a kind plus a pair, the sum of all five dice
• Chance: the sum of all dice, any combination
• Yatzy: five of a kind, worth 50 points

The game ends when every row on the score sheet is filled in. Each player then adds up their points, including any bonus. The player with the highest total wins.

Many play forced Yatzy, where the rows must be filled in order from the top. This makes the game tighter and more tactical. Another common house rule is that a yatzy rolled on the first roll scores 100 points instead of 50.

If you want a longer game, try Maxi Yatzy with six dice, or the American relative Yahtzee.

Yes. Yatzy works well as a solo game, where the goal is to beat your own record. Many also use it as a calm way to practise mental arithmetic with kids.