Dice Games: Rules, Scoring & Interactive Score Trackers
Dice are among the oldest gaming implements ever discovered. Archaeologists have found cubic dice in Mesopotamian ruins dating back 5,000 years, and virtually every civilisation since has rolled some form of numbered objects to pass the time, settle disputes, or simply have fun. Today, dice games remain one of the most accessible forms of gaming — all you need is a handful of standard six-sided dice and a flat surface to play.
The beauty of dice games lies in their range. Some, like Farkle and 10,000, are push-your-luck games where every roll forces a thrilling risk-or-reward decision. Others, like Bunco, are purely social party games designed for large groups and loud laughter. And then there are bluffing games like Liar's Dice, where reading your opponents matters more than the dice themselves. Whatever your taste, there is a dice game that fits.
Our guides go beyond simple rule explanations. Many pages include interactive score trackers so you can keep score right in your browser, dice simulators for practising strategy without physical dice, and probability breakdowns that help you make smarter decisions at the table. Pick a game below and start rolling.
Dice Games — Play Now
These games have full rule guides with interactive tools ready to use.
Farkle
The classic push-your-luck dice game. Roll six dice, score combinations, and decide when to bank your points or risk it all. Includes a built-in dice simulator and full scoring table.
Coming Soon
These guides are currently in development. Check back soon for complete rules, scoring charts, and interactive tools.
Bunco
The ultimate social dice game for large groups. Roll three dice, match the target number, and rotate tables in this fast-paced party favourite for 12+ players.
Ship, Captain, Crew
A naval-themed dice game where you must roll a 6 (ship), 5 (captain), and 4 (crew) in order before scoring with the remaining dice. Simple, quick, and great for beginners.
10,000 (Dix Mille)
The European cousin of Farkle with regional scoring variations. Popular across France, Germany, and beyond — same push-your-luck thrill with different combination bonuses.
Liar's Dice
A bluffing and bidding game made famous by pirates and poker players alike. Each player hides their dice, makes increasingly bold claims, and calls out anyone they think is lying.
Yahtzee Variants
Explore the many ways to play Yahtzee-style scoring games. From the classic upper/lower section format to creative house-rule variants and tournament scoring systems.
What Dice Do You Need?
Quick Reference
- Farkle
- 6 standard dice (d6)
- Bunco
- 3 standard dice per table (d6)
- Ship, Captain, Crew
- 5 standard dice (d6)
- 10,000 (Dix Mille)
- 6 standard dice (d6)
- Liar's Dice
- 5 dice per player (d6) + cups
- Yahtzee
- 5 standard dice (d6)
The good news: a single set of 6 standard six-sided dice is enough to play the vast majority of dice games. These are the small, cubic dice numbered 1 through 6 that you probably already have at home in a board game box. For Liar's Dice you will need 5 dice per player and an opaque cup for each, but every other game on this page works with just 5 or 6 shared dice.
If you plan to host a Bunco night, you will need 3 dice per table (typically 4 tables for 16 players = 12 dice total), plus a bell or buzzer for each table. For all other games, a pen and paper for scoring is the only additional equipment required — or you can use the interactive score trackers built into our game pages.
Dice Probability Basics
Understanding basic dice odds can dramatically improve your decision-making in any dice game. Here are the fundamentals every player should know.
Single Die Probabilities
A standard six-sided die gives each face an equal probability of 1 in 6 (16.67%). This means rolling a 1 is exactly as likely as rolling a 6. Each roll is independent — previous results have absolutely no effect on future outcomes, despite what your gut might tell you.
Multiple Dice: Key Odds
| Event | Probability |
|---|---|
| Rolling at least one 1 with 6 dice | 66.5% |
| Rolling at least one 1 or 5 with 6 dice | 91.2% |
| Farkle (no scoring dice) with 6 dice | 2.3% |
| Farkle with 3 dice | 27.8% |
| Farkle with 2 dice | 44.4% |
| Farkle with 1 die | 66.7% |
| Three-of-a-kind with 6 dice | ~29.8% |
| 1-2-3-4-5-6 straight with 6 dice | 1.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
The most popular dice games include Farkle (also known as 10,000 or Dix Mille), Yahtzee, Bunco, Liar's Dice, Ship Captain Crew, and Craps. Farkle and Yahtzee are the most widely played casual dice games, while Bunco is a favourite at social gatherings and game nights for large groups.
Most popular dice games require between 5 and 6 standard six-sided dice (d6). Farkle and 10,000 use 6 dice, Yahtzee uses 5, and Bunco uses 3 per table. A set of 6 dice will cover the vast majority of games. Some specialty games may use different types of dice (d8, d10, d12, d20), but standard six-sided dice are all you need for the games featured here.
Farkle and 10,000 (also called Dix Mille or Zilch) are closely related push-your-luck dice games that share the same core mechanic: roll dice, set aside scoring combinations, and decide whether to bank or risk another roll. The main differences are in the target score (Farkle typically plays to 10,000 while some variants use different thresholds), minimum opening scores, and whether certain bonus combinations like six-of-a-kind or two triplets are counted.
Yes, many dice games work well with just two players. Farkle, Yahtzee, 10,000, Ship Captain Crew, and Liar's Dice can all be played one-on-one. Two-player games tend to be more strategic since you can closely track your opponent's score and adjust your risk-taking accordingly. Bunco is the main exception — it is designed for larger groups of 12 or more players.
Dice games are excellent for children. They teach basic maths skills like addition and probability, encourage decision-making and risk assessment, and require minimal setup. Games like Ship Captain Crew and simplified Farkle can be played by children as young as 7 or 8. The tactile nature of rolling physical dice also makes these games more engaging for younger players than screen-based alternatives.
The probability of rolling any specific number (1 through 6) on a single standard die is exactly 1 in 6, or approximately 16.67%. When rolling multiple dice, the probabilities for combinations become more complex. For example, the chance of rolling at least one 1 with six dice is about 66.5%, and the chance of rolling a Farkle (no scoring dice at all) with six dice is roughly 2.3%.
Yes. Many of our dice game guides include interactive tools built right into the page. These include dice simulators that let you practise rolling and scoring, score trackers for keeping track of multi-player games, and scoring calculators that automatically tally combinations. These tools work directly in your browser with no downloads or sign-ups required.