A Beginner's Guide: How Do You Play Yard Dice

How Do You Play Yard Dice
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A Beginner’s Guide: How Do You Play Yard Dice

You play yard dice by using large, oversized dice in an outdoor space like a yard or park. The most popular way to play uses rules similar to the classic game Yahtzee, where players take turns rolling the dice to achieve specific combinations for points, trying to get the highest score. It’s a simple, fun backyard dice game perfect for gatherings.

Yard dice bring the excitement of classic dice games into the great outdoors. Imagine rolling dice that are bigger than your fist! This makes the game more active and visually engaging. It’s a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends outside. People of all ages can join in the fun.

What Are Yard Dice?

Yard dice are just like regular dice but much bigger. They are often made of wood or durable foam. Their large size makes them easy to see and handle, even in a grassy yard. You usually get a set of five or six large dice with standard dots (pips) on each side, numbered one through six. Some sets come with a bucket or bag for easy rolling and carrying. These oversized dice game rules are usually simple.

Getting Ready to Play

Setup for yard dice is very easy. Find a clear spot in your yard, patio, or any flat outdoor area. You need enough space to roll the large dice without hitting things or people.

Here’s what you need:

A set of yard dice (usually 5 or 6).
A scorecard or paper to write down scores.
A pen or pencil.
Players (from 2 up to a large group).

That’s it! The game can start in minutes.

Playing the Most Popular Yard Dice Game

The most common game played with yard dice is based on Yahtzee. Often, people call this game “Yardzee.” The basic idea is simple: roll the dice to get certain combinations and earn points. Yard dice rules for this game are much like the original board game rules.

Here’s how a turn works:

Player’s Turn: A player gets up to three rolls of the dice.
First Roll: The player rolls all five dice.
Choosing Dice: After the first roll, the player looks at the dice. They choose which dice to keep and which to re-roll. They set aside the dice they want to keep.
Second Roll: The player picks up the remaining dice and rolls them again.
Choosing Dice Again: After the second roll, the player again decides which dice to keep from the total (the ones they set aside plus the new ones) and which to re-roll for the third and final roll.
Third Roll: The player picks up any dice they wish to re-roll and rolls them one last time.
End of Turn: After the third roll (or earlier if the player chooses), the player must use the final set of five dice to score in one of the categories on the scorecard.

Once a player uses a scoring category, no other player can use it. Each player gets one turn per category.

How to Score Yard Dice

Scoring is the key part of games like Yahtzee with yard dice. The scorecard has different categories. Each category scores points based on the combination of dice you get. You must choose a category for each turn. If you can’t make any combination that fits an open category, you must choose a category and score zero for it.

Here are the common scoring categories and how they work:

Upper Section:

Ones: Sum of all dice showing the number 1.
Twos: Sum of all dice showing the number 2.
Threes: Sum of all dice showing the number 3.
Fours: Sum of all dice showing the number 4.
Fives: Sum of all dice showing the number 5.
Sixes: Sum of all dice showing the number 6.

Example: If you roll 1, 1, 3, 4, 1 and choose “Ones,” you score 3 points (1+1+1). If you roll 2, 2, 2, 5, 6 and choose “Twos,” you score 6 points (2+2+2).

Upper Section Bonus: If your total score in the Upper Section is 63 points or more, you get a bonus of 35 points! To reach 63 points, you generally need to score 3 of each number (three 1s, three 2s, etc.).

Lower Section:

3 of a Kind: At least three dice show the same number. Score the sum of all five dice.
- Example: Roll 4, 4, 4, 2, 5. Score 19 points (4+4+4+2+5).
4 of a Kind: At least four dice show the same number. Score the sum of all five dice.
- Example: Roll 6, 6, 6, 6, 1. Score 25 points (6+6+6+6+1).
Full House: Three dice show one number and two dice show another number. Score 25 points.
- Example: Roll 3, 3, 3, 5, 5. Score 25 points.
Small Straight: Four dice form a sequence of numbers (like 1-2-3-4, 2-3-4-5, or 3-4-5-6). Score 30 points.
- Example: Roll 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. This contains a 1-2-3-4 straight. Score 30 points.
Large Straight: Five dice form a sequence of numbers (1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6). Score 40 points.
- Example: Roll 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. This is a large straight. Score 40 points.
Yardzee (or Yahtzee): All five dice show the same number. Score 50 points. This is the hardest combination to get!
- Example: Roll 5, 5, 5, 5, 5. Score 50 points.
Chance: You can use this category for any combination of dice. Score the sum of all five dice. This is good to use when your roll doesn’t fit any other open category.
- Example: Roll 1, 3, 4, 5, 6. You could score 19 points (1+3+4+5+6) in the Chance category.

Yardzee Bonus: If you roll a second Yardzee after already scoring 50 points in the Yardzee category, you get a bonus! The standard rule is 100 bonus points for each extra Yardzee. You also must use this extra Yardzee to score in another category. If you rolled five 6s for your bonus Yardzee, you could score 30 points in the Sixes category or score 30 points in 3 of a Kind/4 of a Kind/Chance. If those categories are already filled, you must score zero in an open category in the upper section (like Ones, Twos, etc.). This is a bit more complex but adds excitement!

Grasping the Gameplay Flow

Playing yard dice follows a simple flow. Players take turns completing their three rolls and choosing a scoring category.

Player 1 takes a turn: Rolls up to three times, selects a category, writes down their score.
Player 2 takes a turn: Rolls up to three times, selects a category, writes down their score.
This continues until all players have filled in every scoring category on their scorecard.
The game ends when everyone has completed their scorecard.
Players total their scores (including the Upper Section bonus and any Yardzee bonuses).
The player with the highest total score wins!

The giant yard dice instructions often describe this flow. It makes for a fun, competitive backyard dice game.

Deciphering the Scorecard

The scorecard is vital for playing yard dice. It lists all the scoring categories. It helps you keep track of points and which categories are still available.

A typical scorecard looks something like this:

Category	How to Score	Points Possible (Max Example)
Upper Section
Ones	Sum of 1s	5 (five 1s)
Twos	Sum of 2s	10 (five 2s)
Threes	Sum of 3s	15 (five 3s)
Fours	Sum of 4s	20 (five 4s)
Fives	Sum of 5s	25 (five 5s)
Sixes	Sum of 6s	30 (five 6s)
Upper Section Subtotal	Sum of scores above
Bonus (if >= 63)	Add 35 points	35
Upper Section Total	Subtotal + Bonus
Lower Section
3 of a Kind	Sum of all dice (at least three same)	30 (five 6s)
4 of a Kind	Sum of all dice (at least four same)	30 (five 6s)
Full House	3 of one, 2 of another	25
Small Straight	Sequence of 4 (e.g., 1,2,3,4)	30
Large Straight	Sequence of 5 (e.g., 1,2,3,4,5)	40
Yardzee	Five of a kind	50
Chance	Sum of all dice	30 (five 6s)
Yardzee Bonus	100 points for each extra Yardzee	100+
Lower Section Total	Sum of scores above
Grand Total	Upper Section Total + Lower Section Total

Understanding how to score yard dice categories is key to doing well. You need to decide the best place to put your score on each turn, even if it means scoring zero in a high-value box to save another box for a potentially better roll later.

Simple Yard Dice Rules Overview

Let’s summarize the main Yardzee rules simply:

Use 5 large dice.
Players take turns.
Each turn has up to 3 rolls.
Between rolls, keep dice you like, re-roll others.
After 3 rolls (or sooner), choose one scoring category for your final dice combination.
Fill one category per turn.
If your roll doesn’t fit any empty category well, score 0 in a category.
Play continues until all categories are filled for all players.
Add up scores. High score wins.
Get 63+ in the top section? Get a 35-point bonus.
Get a Yardzee (5 of a kind)? Score 50 points. Get another? Get a 100-point bonus!

These oversized dice game rules are easy to learn but offer fun challenges.

Other Outdoor Dice Games

While Yardzee is the most common, you can play other outdoor dice games with your large dice set.

Farkle: This is another popular dice game that works well with large dice. Players roll dice and set aside scoring combinations (like 1s, 5s, three of a kind, etc.). They can keep rolling as long as they score, but if they roll and get no scoring dice, they “farkle” and lose all points for that turn.
Pig: A simple game where players roll one die repeatedly to add to a running total for their turn. If they roll a 1, they lose all points for that turn. They can stop at any time and keep their points. Using yard dice makes this simple game big and fun.
Higher Roll: A very basic game. Each player rolls one die. The highest number wins that round. First player to win a set number of rounds wins the game. Easy for young kids!
Math Games: Use the dice for simple math practice – roll two dice and add, subtract, or multiply the numbers.

Having giant yard dice instructions opens up many possibilities for backyard fun beyond just Yardzee.

Tips for Playing Yard Dice Well

Play Surface: A flat, smooth surface is best for rolling. Grass works, but sometimes uneven ground can affect rolls. A large patio or even a big rug on the grass can be good.
Score Keeping: Use a big paper pad or a small whiteboard for the scorecard so everyone can see it easily. Many yard dice sets come with a large reusable scorecard.
Number of Players: Yardzee works with 2 to 6 players well. With more players, the game takes longer as everyone needs to complete a full scorecard. For larger groups, you might play in teams or play quicker games like Farkle or Pig.
Variations: Feel free to make your own yard dice rules! Maybe change the bonus points, add new categories, or allow extra rolls. It’s a backyard game, so have fun with it!
Rolling Technique: With large dice, a gentle toss is better than a hard throw. Let them tumble naturally.

Why Yard Dice is So Popular

Playing yard dice is more than just rolling dice; it’s about getting people together outside.

Active Fun: Unlike sitting around a table, playing outside involves a bit more movement – walking to the rolling area, picking up the big dice.
Great for Gatherings: Birthdays, barbecues, family reunions – yard dice fits right in. It’s easy for people to jump into a game.
All Ages: Kids and adults can play together. The rules are simple enough for children to learn, and the strategy of scoring keeps it interesting for adults.
Simple & Affordable: Once you have a set of dice, the game is free to play. You just need paper and a pencil.

The combination of simple rules, outdoor play, and social interaction makes the backyard dice game a hit.

Comprehending Yardzee Scoring Strategy

While scoring points seems straightforward, there’s strategy involved, especially in games like Yahtzee with yard dice.

Early Game: In the upper section, try to get at least three of each number (1s, 2s, etc.) to aim for the 35-point bonus. Don’t score zero in a category early unless you absolutely must; it hurts your bonus chances.
Lower Section Choices: Decide if you should go for a risky but high-scoring category like Yardzee or a straight, or take a safer bet like 3 of a Kind or Chance.
Using Chance: The Chance category is a safety net. Use it for a poor roll that doesn’t fit other categories, or sometimes for a roll that scores high (like five 6s giving 30 points) but can’t be used elsewhere, saving a more valuable category (like Sixes) for another turn.
Yardzee Decisions: If you roll a Yardzee, decide if you score 50 points or use it as a high-scoring 3 or 4 of a Kind or Chance to save the 50-point box for a potential second Yardzee bonus. This is an advanced move.
Zero Scores: Sometimes you will have to score zero in a category. It’s better to score zero in a category you are unlikely to fill (like Fives if you haven’t rolled many 5s) rather than in a high-scoring one you might still get (like a Straight or Yardzee).

Mastering how to score yard dice effectively is key to winning.

Setup Steps for Your First Game

Here’s a simple checklist for your setup for yard dice:

Gather your yard dice set (usually 5 dice).
Get scorecards (print some out or use a large pad) and pens/pencils.
Choose a flat outdoor area to play. Make sure it’s big enough for rolling.
Sit or stand around the rolling area.
Give each player a scorecard and pen.
Decide the player order (roll one die each, highest goes first).
Start the game!

These giant yard dice instructions get you rolling quickly.

Variations in Yard Dice Games

People often adapt Yardzee rules or play other variations:

Adding More Dice: Some sets have 6 dice. You can play where you use 5 for scoring and the 6th is a “bonus” roll or gives special powers. Or you can play games that use 6 dice, like Farkle.
Scoring Variations: Some house rules might change the bonus points, the score for a Full House, or how the Yardzee bonus works. Always agree on rules before starting.
Teams: Divide into teams. Team members help each other decide where to score, or their scores are combined.
Younger Players: For very young players, simplify the scoring. Maybe only play for upper section categories or just try to get certain combinations like 3 of a kind.

The flexibility of playing yard dice makes it fun for different groups.

Caring for Your Yard Dice

To keep your oversized dice game rules fun for years:

If they are wood, store them in a dry place to prevent swelling or cracking.
Clean them if they get dirty from grass or soil. A damp cloth usually works.
Store them in the bag or bucket they came in to keep them together.

Simple care helps your dice last longer.

Playing Yard Dice: Fun for Everyone

Whether you call it Yardzee or just playing yard dice, this outdoor dice game offers simple, engaging fun. The physical act of rolling large dice adds a unique element. Learning the yard dice rules, how to score yard dice, and a bit of strategy makes the game more rewarding. It’s a perfect addition to any outdoor gathering, providing hours of entertainment for players of all ages. From the simple setup for yard dice to the excitement of rolling a potential Yardzee, it’s an activity that brings smiles and friendly competition. Remember these giant yard dice instructions and enjoy your next backyard game session.

Frequently Asked Questions about Yard Dice

Q: How many dice do you need for yard dice?
A: The most common game, like Yardzee, uses 5 dice. Some sets come with 6, which can be used for other games or variations.

Q: Is yard dice the same as Yahtzee?
A: The most popular game played with yard dice uses rules very similar to the board game Yahtzee. Often, people call this game “Yardzee.” So, while the dice are different (much larger), the game rules are usually the same or very close.

Q: Can kids play yard dice?
A: Yes! Yard dice is excellent for kids. The large dice are easy to handle, and the basic rolling and scoring rules are simple enough for children to learn. You can even simplify the rules further for very young players.

Q: What happens if I can’t score on a turn?
A: If your dice combination doesn’t fit any of the remaining open categories on your scorecard, you must choose one category and score 0 points in it. You then cannot use that category for the rest of the game.

Q: How do you win at yard dice?
A: To win at yard dice (Yardzee), you need to have the highest total score after all players have completed all the scoring categories on their scorecards.

Q: Where can I play yard dice?
A: Any flat outdoor space works well – your backyard, a park, a beach, a campground, or even a large patio or driveway. Just make sure you have enough room to roll freely.

Q: What is the Yardzee bonus?
A: In standard Yardzee rules, if you roll five of a kind (a Yardzee) after you have already scored in the Yardzee category (either 50 points or 0), you get a 100-point bonus. You must also use that roll to score in another available category.

Q: Do I have to roll three times?
A: No, you can stop rolling after your first or second roll if you are happy with your combination and want to score it. You just cannot roll more than three times on a turn.