Monday, May 18, 2009

Gords Dice Game Rules

Goal: Be the last person remaining with at least one die. 

Players: 2 - 6 

You can either read these instructions or watch this video to have the game explained to you.




Setup: Each players starts with 5 dice of the same color. Every player shakes their dice and conceals their dice from other players. Using the results of their own dice as well as the knowledge of how many dice are left in play by other players (which can be determined by looking at the board for the available slots), they estimate how many dice of a particular number are in play. 

 The person to "call" from the previous round always goes first (unless they are eliminated, in which case the next person in the rotation goes). When starting play for the very first time, just select someone to go first. The first person makes an estimate of how many dice they believe are in play of a particular number and announces it. Using the one white die to locate their estimate on the board (ie 4 x sixes - put the die on 6 and put it on the number four on the board). The places on the board with a star (or dot) only represent 1s. 

Everywhere else, ones are considered wild which are set by the last person making the estimate. Once an estimate is made, the next person in play can continue increasing the estimate or "calling" the previous estimate if they doubt there are a sufficient number to meet the estimate. Once a "call" is made, everyone reveals their dice and places up on the board all their dice for the number used (ie - 4 x sixes - everyone puts their sixes AND ones up on the board to be counted). 

If the number is met or exceeded, the person who challenged and made the "call", loses a die and places it on the game board at the next available slot to help identify how many dice are available in play. If the number is NOT met and the estimate is too high, the person who made the estimate loses a die. The person who made the call starts the next round. With less die available to a player it becomes increasingly more difficult to estimate with any accuracy. Players are also known to bluff which can really throw off other players in their estimations. That is legal. Going "up" on the board can involve staying on the same number on the board, but going up on the die. 

For instance if a player says, "4 x three's.", the next person can stay on 4 and say, "4 x fours, fives, or sixes", but cannot go with "4 x two's" since they must go higher on the dice. If they want to go with two's, they must go up on the board to "5 x two's". Play must continually go up. In some cases, some people go up not just by one, but several places. This strategy is helpful to avoid the risk of being placed in a position to estimate too high. Once there is only one die left remaining, that person wins the game. Call Gords at 801-776-5083 if you have any questions, or email me at: ggridley@gordongridley.us if you need some replacement colored dice. I have a ton of many different colors. 

Here is another video showing an example of game play starting at the next round:



Here is what the board looks like. Here's how much it costs to make one game, if you're interested in making your own board.

1 comment:

Janene said...

Hey Gordon - I am glad that you introduced me to this game and your family. It was fun!!! Tell Cathi "Hi" for me :)