Dice Games: 8 Easy Ones to Play With Dice From a Drawer (2026)

Dice games are the oldest kind of party game, and they're still hard to beat. You don't need a board, a screen or a long rulebook. A handful of dice from a drawer, a piece of paper and a pencil will do.

Below are eight games with simple rules, a table to compare them, a few boxed favourites and some ideas for games that help children practise sums. Agree small house rules before you start, as many of these games have regional versions.

Dice games you can play with what's in a drawer

Farkle

A push-your-luck game with six dice. Players roll, set aside scoring dice and decide whether to roll again.

1. Roll all six dice. Ones and fives score by themselves, and sets such as three of a kind score more.
2. Set aside at least one scoring die, then choose to bank your points or roll the rest.
3. If a roll has no scoring dice, you've farkled and lose everything from that turn.
4. If all six dice score, you roll all six again.
5. Play until someone reaches the target score you agreed at the start.

Yahtzee style

Five dice and a score sheet. It's a classic for a quiet evening, and it works for one player or a small group.

1. On your turn, roll all five dice. You can keep any and re-roll the rest, up to three rolls in total.
2. Choose a category on your sheet for the result, such as three of a kind, a full house or a straight.
3. Write the score in that box. If the roll fits nothing, you must put a zero somewhere.
4. When every box is full, add up the sheet. The highest total wins.

Pig

The easiest game on this list, and it needs only one die.

1. On your turn, roll the die as often as you like and add each result to your turn total.
2. If you roll a one, your turn total is lost and the turn passes on.
3. If you stop before that, you bank your turn total.
4. The first player to reach 100 wins.

Liar's Dice

A bluffing game. Each player has a cup with five dice and keeps their roll secret.

1. Everyone shakes their cup and peeks at their own dice only.
2. The first player bids on how many of a certain face are under all the cups combined, for example three fours.
3. Each next player must raise the bid, or challenge it by calling a liar.
4. On a challenge, everyone reveals their dice. If the bid was right, the challenger loses a die. If it was wrong, the bidder does.
5. Last player with dice wins.

Ship Captain and Crew

A gentle game with five dice and three rolls per turn.

1. You need a six first, which is your ship. Then a five for the captain, then a four for the crew. They must come in that order.
2. Once you've got all three, the other two dice make up your cargo score.
3. Keep your scoring dice and re-roll the others, up to three rolls.
4. The highest cargo total in the round wins.

Bunco

A social game for larger groups, played at several tables. Each round has a target number from one to six. Players roll three dice and score a point for every die that matches the round's number. Three matching dice is a bunco, which scores the most. It's easy to follow, and it's a good fit for a get-together where talking matters more than winning.

Shut the Box

You need two dice and a board of numbered tiles. Roll the dice, then flip down tiles that add up to your total. Keep going until you can't shut any more. Your score is the number of tiles still standing, and the lowest score wins. It's calm and tactical, and works for one player or two.

Left Right Centre

Three dice, some tokens and almost no thinking. Each player starts with the same number of tokens. On your turn, roll the dice, and each die tells you to pass a token left, pass one right, put one in the centre, or keep it. The last player holding tokens wins. It's pure luck, which is why it suits a family table or a pub.

Dice games at a glance

Game	Dice needed	Players	Luck or choice
Farkle	Six dice	Two or more	Both
Yahtzee style	Five dice and a score sheet	One or more	Both
Pig	One die	Two or more	Mostly luck
Liar's Dice	Five dice per player, plus cups	Two or more	Mostly choice
Ship Captain and Crew	Five dice	Two or more	Mostly luck
Bunco	Three dice	A big group, in rounds	Luck
Shut the Box	Two dice and a board	One or more	Both
Left Right Centre	Three dice and tokens	Three or more	Luck

If you like the feel of rolling and flipping, you may enjoy the same style in other games. Take a look at the rules of classic dominoes for another tabletop game that needs no screen.

Boxed dice games worth a look

When you want something more polished than a drawer of dice, these four are well liked. I've described only what each is known for.

• King of Tokyo: monsters fight over a city, using dice to attack, heal and score. It's loud and quick, and works well for families.
• Qwixx: everyone uses the same roll to tick numbers on a score sheet, so nobody waits long for a turn.
• Can't Stop: a push-your-luck game where you climb columns with each roll but lose your progress if you go too far.
• Roll for It: light and friendly. You roll dice to match cards and claim them, so it's a good first game for children.

If you'd rather try games on a phone first, this list of free offline board game apps covers apps that work without a signal.

Dice games for kids that sneak in maths

Children don't notice they're practising sums when there's a game on. Try these at home or in class.

• Pig: adding turn totals in your head, and judging risk.
• Shut the Box: finding numbers that add up to a total, which is quiet addition practice.
• Roll and multiply: roll two dice, multiply the results and race to say the answer first.
• Greater than: two players roll one die each, and the higher number takes both dice. Older children can roll two dice and add them.
• Beat the target: pick a number and see who can reach it by adding dice rolls without going over.

If you want printed activities to go with the dice, there's a useful roundup at where to find free printable puzzle games. Keep sessions short and let children make up their own rules. They learn more when they own the game.

Make a dice game? See how to get it featured on this list.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best dice games?

Farkle, Pig, Liar's Dice, Ship Captain and Crew and Left Right Centre are easy to learn and fun for a group. Pick one based on how many dice you've got.

What dice games can you play with just one die?

Pig is the best known. You roll as often as you like, add up your turn, and stop before you roll a one.

Which dice games are good for kids?

Pig, Shut the Box and Roll for It are good for children, because they practise adding and sums without feeling like a lesson.

Do you need special dice for these games?

No. Standard six-sided dice work for every game here. Some boxed games come with special dice, but the home games need only ordinary ones.