Dice loads of fun (Yahtzee)

Member Name: kiwiii85

Product:	Yahtzee
Date:	29/09/09 (120 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Educational, strategical, fun and just sheer enjoyable

Disadvantages: It has to end sometime!

You might have noticed from previous reviews I've written that I absolutely love board games and yahtzee is one of those good old fashioned ones you can't fall out with.

~~ What is it? ~~

Yahtzee is a game of chance although some might it takes still to make the wise decisions needed to win. The game consists of 5 dice and the object of the game is to get the highest score. Sounds easy right? Not quite. There are columns you have to complete and criteria you have to meet in order to fill these columns - you don't meet the criteria and you will undoubtably end up with lots of 0s on your scorepad.

~~ Gameplay ~~

The game can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it but the concept itself is simple. You get 5 dice and three throws each turn in order to fill the criteria on your scorecard. This is split into two sections - your top half and your bottom half. The object: to get the highest scores possible and beat your opponent.

The top half of the scorecard consists of your basic numbers 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. The idea is to get 3 of each of these numbers on a turn so that the whole column adds up to 63 or more so you can have a bonus 35 points. Without the bonus, you will probably lose. So the top half would go a bit like this...

You roll the dice 3 times and get 4 5's and you add in a total of 20 next to the number 5. You then roll and get 3 for each of 2,3,4 and 6. This means that with the extra 5 you rolled previously you don't need to roll any 1's and that can be reserved for a zero later on if you don't manage to get something you still need. This is how I try to do it so it takes some pressure off of you later on and have these reserve fields but you can stick to the basic 3 of each (if youu're lucky enough to roll 3 of the same within a turn) or you can get 4 of any other number. The worst case scenario is going for say 3 4's and only getting 2. That leaves your column 4 down and you struggle to make it up later on.

If you reach your 63 then the bonus is added and your total score for the top half would be 98. Of course, if you scored more than 63 in the top half you would just add on the 35 and get your total from there.

The bottom half of the scoresheet is a little bit more complicated and supposed to be harder to achieve. It consists of x3, x4, full house, low straight, high straight, yahtzee and chance. Quick rundown of them -

x3 is basically 3 dice the same of any number plus the total of the other two dice. For example, you roll 3 6's a 2 and a 4. Your total for this column would be 24. It doesn't have to be 6's you throw but the higher the numbers, the higher the score.

x4 is the same concept as x3 but you need to have 4 dice the same within the 3 turns. You then add the extra dice onto the number so 4 5's plus a 2 would be a total of 22.

Full House is basically 3 of one number and 2 of the other. For example, 3 2's and 2 5's would be a full house. It doesn't matter what numbers you throw as the full house is always awarded with a score of 25.

Low Straight is basically four dice in a row running in a straight. For example, you can have 1,2,3,4 or 2,3,4,5 or , 3,4,5,6. Any of these are rewarded with a score of 30.

High Straight is the same concept as the Low Straight but needs to be a run of all 5 dice. This would be either 1,2,3,4,5 or 2,3,4,5,6. Seems easy right? Not quite in 3 turns!! This is always rewarded with a score of 40.

Yahtzee is the most desired roll of the dice and it is where all dice are the same number. For example 5 dice that are 1's. Again, it doesn't matter which numbers you throw as it is always rewarded with a score of 50! If you're lucky enough to be playing only 1 column and rolling 2 yahtzees than you get to add an extra 1 onto the front of your yahtzee score making it to 150... you've pretty much won when it comes down to this unless something drastic has happened. We play by the rule that if you throw two yahtzees then you have to put a 0 in another column. Choose wisely!

Finally, the chance can be used on as a score where you've messed up and not quite rolled the numbers necessary. You can put in any old rubbish here so long as it's the total of the dice.

You then total up the second half of the game and add it onto the first to get your final score. There is no bonus score for the bottom half of the table but there are more points to be gained by getting all of your requirements to choose where to put things carefully.

You don't need to do these numbers in any particular order which does make it slightly easier.

~~ My twists and turns ~~

I think the actual rules say to do one column at a time ie 13 turns of 3 rolls of the dice. This is a good way to play but I always felt the game came to an end way too early and we have added different variations to it. Use them if you wish or stick to the original rules. Either way you'll have fun!

1) We sometimes play four columns or so at a time so it gives you a bit more flexibility as to where you can put numbers. However, it also means you have to throw 4 yahtzees or suffer with lots of zeroes which isn't always fun!

2) Fill the columns in order so you start with rolling 1's then next turn 2's etc. You still have the usual 3 turns but it makes the game much harder in that you're unlikely to get your top half bonus and the yahtzee is almost impossible. Makes it easier for those that aren't very good at strategies or always make the wrong decisions. This way you can play as many games as you like and finish whenever you choose.

3) Fill in the colums with the number of turns it takes to roll the required numbers. For example, you start by seeing how many turns it takes to roll 3 1's. If it takes 2 turns you enter a 2 and if it takes 22 turns you enter a 22. Aim is for the player with the lowest score to win and you have plenty of laughs along the way when you're rolling one dice for half an hour trying to get your yahtzee!

I'm sure there are more ways we've played it in the past but this is just a taster for anyone bored with the original rules or looking to do something different.

~~ Why is it good? ~~

I think Yahtzee is quite an educational game in that it teaches you to count and to work out in your head what you need in advance to win. You have to have a number in all of the columns so some kind of strategy is needed and this isn't always easy when the numbers on the dice can be so unpredictable.

You can play this game with pretty much any number of people or you could probably play it by yourself if you were desperate. It's a very social game so it definitely helps with social skills if you're playing it with younger children. Adults will also have a great time with this game so it isn't all about the kids!!

The game can be played in a few different ways with no requirements to stick to the "rules". I always like to make my own versions of games so you can use make the most out of the money you've spent on it. See twists.

The game can be played without actually purchasing the game if you get what I mean. The basic requirements are 5 dice, paper, pencil, shaker to throw dice from (can use your hand or jug for water from ironing or just a cup!) and somewhere to throw the dice into. Well what's wrong with a good old fashioned floor?

~~ Age ~~

The box does say 8 years and up but I remember playing it with my dad at a much younger age with him helping me along with the counting. It is a great way to encourage a child to use numbers so don't be put off by the recommended age.

~~ My Opinion ~~

Well if you haven't noticed already I absolutely love this game. It's hassle free, doesn't require any setting up and you can basically choose how you want to play so long as you stick to the scorecard.

It's educational, full of strategy and a real laugh. What more can I say? The game itself can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours depending on your rules so it's perfect for that rainy day.

To sum it all up? I love this game and would recommend it to anyone.

Summary: Definitely recommend this to everyone.