Overview
A collection of easy games that can be played with ordinary six-sided dice, useful when you want quick rules with very little setup.
Objective
Win the selected mini-game by achieving its stated score or result.
What You Need
- 1–5 dice
- 2 or more players
- A clear playing area
Setup
Pick one game before starting and agree on its target score, number of rounds and tie rule.
How to Play
Highest Roll
Each player rolls two dice; highest total wins.
Race to 50
Roll one die and add it to your running total; first to 50 wins.
Double Trouble
Roll two dice; doubles score double the total.
Pig
Keep rolling to build a turn total, or hold to bank it. A 1 loses the turn total.
Scoring / Winning
Use simple running totals. If several mini-games are played as a set, award one match point for each mini-game win.
Worked Example
In Double Trouble, Mia rolls 4 and 4. The dice total is 8, and because it is a double she scores 16 for that round. On the next round she rolls 3 and 5 and scores the normal total of 8.
Strategy Tips
- For purely random games such as Highest Roll there is no decision strategy; the fun is in quick rounds.
- In Pig, risk management matters: a larger unbanked turn total gives you more to lose.
- Shorten targets for children or quick games and lengthen them for a longer session.
Common Mistakes
- Changing the target or number of rounds partway through.
- Confusing the temporary turn total in Pig with the banked game score.
- Not deciding how tied rounds are handled.
Variations & House Rules
Use three dice instead of two, play best-of-five rounds, require an exact target, or create a tournament containing several mini-games. Keep each variation written down so all players use the same rule.
FAQ
Which game is easiest?
Highest Roll has almost no rules and works well as a first dice game.
Which one has decisions?
Pig adds a clear choice between banking points and risking another roll.
Can children practise maths with these games?
Yes. Adding dice and maintaining running totals provides simple arithmetic practice.