| Yahtzee is the trademarked name of a popular dice game made by Milton Bradley (now owned by Hasbro). The object of the game is to score points by rolling certain combinations of numbers with five dice.
Scoring
Scoring occurs in essentially two main ways: either by matching a poker-like "hand" or
by adding up the sum of the value of the dice and scoring by number categories (i.e., aces (ones), twos, threes, etc.).
Number-combination scoring is categorized as Upper Scoring and "poker hand" scoring is called Lower Scoring. If a
player scores 63 points or more in their Upper Scoring section, then that player is awarded 35 bonus points.
Note that a scoring category (i.e., Aces or large straight) can only be used once during a game. There is a special
scoring category called Chance in which a player whose final dice roll in a turn does not fit into any available scoring
category. That player is allowed to add the sum of the dice values and score that turn under Chance; this can only be used (like
any other scoring category) once during a game.
A player can keep any combination of dice separate from those being rolled on that player's second and third rolls (if
subsequent rolls are necessary). A player can also score points and end their turn early, if they wish.
At the end of a game of Yahtzee, each player adds their Upper and Lower scoring sections, including any Upper Scoring bonuses
and bonus Yahtzees. The player with the highest score (often covering the grand total of three separate games) wins.
Lower Scoring combinations
A three of a kind is when three of the five dice are of the same number value.
A four of a kind is when four of the five dice are of the same number value.
A large straight is like a regular straight in poker; a large straight results when the dice show a sequence of five numbers,
such as 1-2-3-4-5.
A small straight results when the dice show a sequence of four numbers, such as 2-3-4-5.
Like in poker, a full house results when a sequence of three numbers and a sequence of two numbers occurs on all five dice.
Example: 2-2-2-3-3
The following lists Lower Scoring combinations and their corresponding point values:
| Combination |
Number of Points |
| Three of a Kind |
n |
| Four of a Kind |
n |
| Large Straight |
40 |
| Small Straight |
30 |
| Full House |
25 |
| Yahtzee |
50 |
| Chance |
n |
Note: n equals the sum of the total value of the die faces.
Yahtzees and Bonus Chips
A Yahtzee occurs when all five dice have the same value during a player's turn. Yahtzees are one of the most difficult
combinations to have in a game. If a player scores one or more additional yahtzees during the same game, that player is awarded
bonus points and given bonus chips that correspond to each bonus yahtzee that a player rolls. Bonus yahtzees are worth 100
points each.
Scratching
If a player rolls their third and final roll during a turn and cannot match the combination of die faces into an unused
scoring category, then that player must scratch out one of their unused scoring categories. All scratches result in that
scoring category equalling zero points when the final score is added at the end of a game.
History
The game was invented in 1954 by an anonymous Canadian couple, and called "The Yacht Game" because they played it on their yacht with their friends. Two years
later they asked toy and game entrepreneur Edwin S. Lowe if he would make up some sets to be given as gifts to their friends who
enjoyed the game. Lowe perceived the possibility of marketing the game, and acquired the rights to the game from the couple in
exchange for 1,000 gift sets.
Lowe changed the name to "Yahtzee." He initially had trouble selling the game commercially, since the rules and appeal were
not easily conveyed in an advertisement. Eventually he had the idea of organizing "Yahtzee parties" where people could play the
game and thereby earn a firsthand appreciation for it. The idea was successful, and enthusiasts quickly popularized the game
through word of mouth. Milton-Bradley purchased the E. S. Lowe company in 1973.
A short-lived TV game show adaptation of
Yahtzee was syndicated to local stations during the 1987 season.
External links
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