Scoreboard
đYahtzee Rules
The objective of YAHTZEE is to get as many points as possible by rolling five dice and getting certain combinations of dice.
đŽGameplay
In each turn a player may throw the dice up to three times. A player doesn't have to roll all five dice on the second and third throw of a round. You may put as many dice as you want to the side and only throw the ones that don't have the numbers you're trying to get.
Example:
A player throws and gets 1, 3, 3, 4, 6. They decide they want to try for the large straight, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. So, they put 1, 3, 4 to the side and only throw 3 and 6 again, hoping to get 2 and 5.
In this game you click on the dice you want to keep. They will be moved down and will not be thrown the next time you press the 'Roll Dice' button. If you decide after the second throw in a turn that you don't want to keep the same dice before the third throw, you can click them again and they will move back to the table and be thrown in the third throw.
đScoring Combinations
Upper Section Combinations
- Ones: Get as many ones as possible.
- Twos: Get as many twos as possible.
- Threes: Get as many threes as possible.
- Fours: Get as many fours as possible.
- Fives: Get as many fives as possible.
- Sixes: Get as many sixes as possible.
For the six combinations above, the score for each of them is the sum of dice of the right kind. For example, if you get 1, 3, 3, 3, 5 and you choose Threes, you will get 3 Ã 3 = 9 points.
The sum of all the above combinations is calculated, and if it is 63 or more, the player will get a bonus of 35 points. On average, a player needs three of each to reach 63, but it is not required to get three of each exactly. It is perfectly OK to have five sixes and zero ones, for example, as long as the sum is 63 or more, the bonus will be awarded.
Lower Section Combinations
- Three of a kind: Get three dice with the same number. Points are the sum of all dice (not just the three of a kind).
- Four of a kind: Get four dice with the same number. Points are the sum of all dice (not just the four of a kind).
- Full House: Get three of a kind and a pair, e.g. 1, 1, 3, 3, 3 or 3, 3, 3, 6, 6. Scores 25 points.
- Small Straight: Get four sequential dice, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 2, 3, 4, 5 or 3, 4, 5, 6. Scores 30 points.
- Large Straight: Get five sequential dice, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Scores 40 points.
- Chance: You can put anything into chance. It's basically like a garbage can when you don't have anything else you can use the dice for. The score is simply the sum of the dice.
- YAHTZEE: Five of a kind. Scores 50 points. You can optionally get multiple Yahtzees (see below for details).
Multiple Yahtzees
The rules around multiple Yahtzees are a bit complex. There are a couple of different cases:
- You already have a Yahtzee: You get a 100 bonus points in the Yahtzee box, but you also have a joker, which means you can choose another move for the Yahtzee you just got. If the number you got Yahtzees with has not been filled out in the upper section, then you must choose that. For example, if you get an additional Yahtzee with 2's, and you haven't filled out the 2's in the upper section, then you must choose that and get 10 points for it. If the upper section box is already filled, then you can choose any of the lower region boxes, and they will be scored as normal.
- You've already put 0 in the Yahtzee box: In this case, you get no 100 point bonus, but you do get a joker, and can choose your move following the rules described above for jokers.
đĄStrategy Tips
Focus on the Bonus
Try to get the bonus. Focus on getting good throws with fives and sixes, then it won't matter if you put 0 in the ones or twos. You can always put in 0 for a combination if you don't have it, even if you have some other combination.
Example Strategy
If you had 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and the only things you had left were Ones and Sixes, then it would be better to put 0 in Ones than to put only 6 in Sixes. This is because you want to maximize your upper section total to get the 35-point bonus.
- Prioritize filling the upper section to get the 35-point bonus
- Save high-scoring lower section combinations (like Full House, Large Straight) for when you can't get the upper section bonus
- Use Chance as a last resort when you can't make any other combination
- Plan ahead - think about which combinations you still need before each roll
- Don't be afraid to take zeros in categories that are hard to fill
âFrequently Asked Questions
Does Yahtzee have a guaranteed winning strategy?
No, there is no guaranteed winning strategy in Yahtzee because the game involves significant luck with dice rolls. However, there are optimal strategies that can maximize your expected score. The best players combine probability knowledge with strategic decision-making, such as prioritizing the upper section bonus, knowing when to take zeros, and understanding which combinations are most valuable.
What happens if there's a tie?
In this online version, if both players end with the same total score, the game is declared a draw. In traditional Yahtzee, some variations award the win to the player with the higher upper section total, or simply declare it a tie. Here, we celebrate it as a well-fought match where both players performed equally well!
What's the difference between Small Straight and Large Straight?
Small Straight requires four sequential dice (e.g., 1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, or 3-4-5-6) and scores 30 points. Large Straight requires five sequential dice (e.g., 1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6) and scores 40 points. The key difference is that Small Straight needs 4 in a row, while Large Straight needs all 5 dice in sequence.
Can I get multiple Yahtzees in one game?
Yes! If you roll a Yahtzee after already filling the Yahtzee category, you get a 100-point bonus and a joker that allows you to use that Yahtzee for another category. If the corresponding upper section box (e.g., if you rolled five 3's, the "Threes" box) is empty, you must use it there. If it's already filled, you can use it in any lower section category.
Should I always try to get the upper section bonus?
Generally, yes! The 35-point bonus for getting 63+ in the upper section is very valuable. However, sometimes it's better to take a high-scoring lower section combination (like a Full House worth 25 points) if you're unlikely to reach the bonus threshold. The key is to evaluate your current situation and make the decision that maximizes your total score.
What should I do if I can't make any combination?
If you can't make any of the available combinations, you must choose a category and enter 0 points. This is often called "taking a zero." It's better to take a zero in a category that's hard to fill (like Ones if you have no 1's) rather than wasting a high-scoring combination. Remember, you can always use Chance as a last resort to score the sum of all dice.
How does the AI opponent work?
Our AI opponent (Bill) uses probability calculations and strategic decision-making to choose the best category for each roll. It evaluates all possible combinations, considers the value of the upper section bonus, and makes decisions that maximize its expected score. Bill is designed to be challenging but fair, providing a good opponent for players of all skill levels.
âšī¸About Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a classic dice game that has been enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. The game combines luck and strategy, making it both exciting and challenging.
The game was originally created by the E.S. Lowe Company in 1956 and has since become one of the most popular dice games in the world. The name "Yahtzee" was trademarked by Hasbro, but the game itself is based on earlier dice games.
Why Play Yahtzee Online?
- Play anytime, anywhere - no need for physical dice or scorecards
- Challenge yourself against our smart AI opponent
- Practice your strategy and improve your skills
- Enjoy a classic game with modern convenience
- Free to play - no registration required
This online version of Yahtzee brings the classic game to your browser with a beautiful, user-friendly interface. Whether you're a seasoned Yahtzee player or new to the game, you'll find this version both fun and challenging.
We hope you enjoy playing Yahtzee! Good luck and may the dice roll in your favor! đ˛