How to Play Yahtzee

Most people have heard of the popular dice game, Yahtzee by Milton Bradley. This article gives some observations about strategy and presumes that the reader understands the basic rules of the game.

One thing to remember is that if a player has two of a kind, there is a 50% chance that rolling the other three dice will result in the same value as the first two. So, if one has two “sixes”, then the chance of not getting at least one more “six” by rolling the three remaining dice twice is only twenty-five percent. So, it’s worth a try to get three when one gets two of the same value on the first roll.

If a player has a 2,3,4, then rolling the other two dice has a thirty-three percent chance of getting at least a small straight. However, if one has a 1,2,3, then one only has a 1 in 6 chance of getting a small straight on the next roll, because only one value, the 4, will give the small straight. So, if a player has two rolls left, then going for a straight will probably work if the current consecutive values are in the middle, but it probably will not work if the current consecutive numbers are at the beginning or end. Likewise, if the player has 1,2,4,5, then trying for a large straight by trying to fill in a single number in the middle only has a 1/6 chance on each roll.

Likewise, if one has a 2,3,4,5, then there is a 1/3 chance that the player will get a large straight on the next roll. One may take that chance if one has two rolls to try. However, if a player has a 1,2,3,4, then there is only a 1 in 6 chance that the next roll will be a large straight. So, go for large straights when the time is right.

If it is early in the game and a player has a full house on the first roll, the player should consider keeping the three dice of the same value and trying for four of the same value. Having four “sixes” is a big help toward getting the 35 point bonus. If one has a choice either to enter a value into the top half or into “three of a kind” or “four of a kind” in the bottom of the scorecard, make the judgment based on whether points are needed in the top for the bonus. Go for the 35 point bonus first. Of course, if the player gets a Yahtzee, take the 50 points in Yahtzee. A second Yahtzee will be worth 100 points.

If a player has both “straights” open and gets a “small straight” on the first roll, the player should go for the “large straight”. The 30 point “small straight” is already guaranteed.

However, if one gets a “full house” in small values such as three “2s” and two “1s”, then taking the 25 points for a “full house” is always advised.

When a bad set of rolls occurs, try to minimize damage. For example, taking less than three “ones” can be made up by four of another value. However, taking less than three “sixes” can make it hard to recover.

Try not to put a zero into the “Yahtzee” block until late in the game. As long a the player is trying for multiple values, a Yahtzee is possible.

As they said in “Star Wars”: “May the “fours” be with you.”


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