This page has simple printable yahtzee game rules. Just click "print"!
Each game of yahtzee can consist of between 1 and 6 rounds. That is a choice the players must make before they begin a new game. Each round always consists of 13 turns per player, who take one turn at a time; so player 1 has his first turn, then player 2 has his first turn, and so on, until all players have completed the round. Once all rounds have been completed, the game is over and the player with the highest total shall be the winner!
Each player's turn consists of three dice rolls. On the first roll, the player must roll all five of the dice. He may then choose to roll some or all of the dice a second time. After this roll, he has the choice again to roll some or all of the dice again, for his final third roll. After this final roll, the player must choose whereabouts on his yahtzee scorecard he would like to place his score. Please see the next page of the rules for an explanation of the scores that can be achieved in Yahtzee.
To the right is an example of a yahtzee score-card. I have highlighted some of the boxes in green. These are the score-boxes that are available during the first round. Round two cannot begin until all of these boxes have a score in them! The other boxes for round 1 are calculated automatically (subtotal, bonus, total 1, total 2 and grand total) and are used for reference only.
The Scoring Boxes
Below is a list of all of the scoring boxes and how it is possible to score into them. Please be aware that there are times when you may choose to place a score into a box knowing that you will score zero. This is actually perfectly acceptable - although it is not very helpful to score zero!
Ones - total of ones rolled
At the end of a player's three rolls, he may decide to place his score in ones. To do this, add up the total of the ones and write the total into this box.
Twos - total of twos rolled
To score in twos at the end of your turn, add up the total of the twos and write the total into this box.
Threes - total of threes rolled
If you decide to place your score in threes, add up the total of the threes and write the total into this box.
Fours - total of fours rolled
If you decide to place your score in fours, add up the total of the fours and write the total into this box.
Fives - total of fives rolled
If you decide to place your score in fives, add up the total of the fives and write the total into this box.
Sixes - total of sixes rolled
If you decide to place your score in sixes, add up the total of the sixes and write the total into this box.
Bonus - 35 points automatic award for subtotal of 63
If the total of the ones, twos, threes, fours, fives and sixes is greater or equal to 63, then a bonus of 35 points is automatically awarded. 63 points is the equivalent of 3 ones, 3 twos, 3 threes, 3 fours, 3 fives and 3 sixes. However, if you score 4 sixes then of course, that would make obtaining the bonus much easier as you would not need so many points from the other numbers.
3-of-a-Kind - total of all dice rolled OR 0
If there are at least three dice rolled of the same number, then you can score the total sum of the dice in this box. If there are not at least three of the same number rolled, you may score 0 in this box.
4-of-a-Kind - total of all dice rolled OR 0
If there are at least four dice rolled of the same number, then you can score the total sum of the dice in this box. If there are not at least four of the same number rolled, you may score 0 in this box.
Full House - 3 of one kind and 2 of another - 25 points
A full house is where you have three of one number and two of another number. This scores 25 points. Otherwise score 0. Example: 1, 4, 3, 3, 3 = 0 points. 4, 1, 1, 4, 4 = 25 points.
Low Straight - 30 points for four in a row.
A low straight is any sequence that runs through four numbers and is worth 30 points. If you do not have a sequence that includes four consecutive numbers, then score 0.
High Straight - 40 points for five in a row.
A high straight is any sequence that runs through five numbers and is worth 40 points. If you do not have a sequence that includes five consecutive numbers, then score 0.
Yahtzee - 50 points for five identical numbers.
A yahtzee is where all five dice are the same and is worth 50 points! If you do not have five numbers the same, then score 0.
Second Yahtzee Bonus Rules - 100 points
If you have already scored 50 points in your yahtzee box, and then you roll another yahtzee and manage to score more than 0 with it, in another box, then you receive a bonus of 100 points automatically. That includes using the yahtzee joker (see below).
If your yahtzee box is filled (either with a 0 or 50 etc.) and you roll a second yahtzee, AND if the corresponding number on the left-hand side has been filled, then you may choose to place your yahtzee in either full-house, low-straight or high-straight and receive the correct number of points for that slot. Example: I roll 1, 1, 1, 1, 1. A yahtzee of ones. Yahtzee has been filled with 0, and my ones box has also been filled. I may therefore score either 40 in high straight, 30 in low straight or 25 in full house. However, if the yahtzee or the ones box had not been filled, then I would not be able to use my yahtzee as a joker in this way.
Chance is the total of all of the dice, no matter what was rolled.
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