How to Play Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a classic dice game using 5 dice and a scorecard with 13 categories. The goal is to fill every category over 13 rounds and end with the highest total score.
Turn Structure
- Roll all 5 dice — this is roll 1 of 3
- Click any dice you want to hold, then roll the rest
- Repeat up to a 3rd roll total — you may hold different dice each time
- After your final roll (or any roll), click a scorecard category to score it
- Each of the 13 categories can only be filled once
- You may score 0 in a category if your dice don't match — but you must fill something
vs. the CPU
This version is you vs. the CPU. Both take turns simultaneously — you score first, then the CPU rolls and picks the best available category. After all 13 rounds, whoever has the higher total score wins.
For the full rules and tips, see our Yahtzee rules guide or read the complete how-to-play Yahtzee guide.
Yahtzee Scoring Chart
| Category | Requirement | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ones | Any dice | Sum of all 1s |
| Twos | Any dice | Sum of all 2s |
| Threes | Any dice | Sum of all 3s |
| Fours | Any dice | Sum of all 4s |
| Fives | Any dice | Sum of all 5s |
| Sixes | Any dice | Sum of all 6s |
| Upper Bonus | Upper section total ≥ 63 | +35 pts (automatic) |
| Three of a Kind | 3+ dice the same | Sum of all 5 dice |
| Four of a Kind | 4+ dice the same | Sum of all 5 dice |
| Full House | 3 of one + 2 of another | 25 pts |
| Small Straight | 4 sequential (1-4, 2-5, or 3-6) | 30 pts |
| Large Straight | 5 sequential (1-5 or 2-6) | 40 pts |
| Yahtzee | All 5 dice the same | 50 pts |
| Chance | Any dice | Sum of all 5 dice |
| Yahtzee Bonus | Extra Yahtzee (box already filled at 50) | +100 pts each |
Yahtzee Strategy Tips
Chase Yahtzee Early
If you roll 3 or 4 of the same number on roll 1, keep chasing Yahtzee. 50 pts is the single highest fixed score, and an early Yahtzee leaves your other categories flexible.
Secure the Upper Bonus
Aim for at least 3 of each upper number (3+6+9+12+15+18 = 63). The +35 bonus is huge. If you fall behind, use Yahtzee or 4-of-a-kind rolls to score big in the upper section.
Large Straight is All-or-Nothing
Only keep dice toward a large straight if you need 1 or 2 specific numbers. Chasing it with 3 dice left to change on roll 2 is high variance. Lock it in once you have 4 of 5.
Use Chance as a Dump
Save Chance for a round where you roll high but nothing scoring — e.g. four 5s and a 3 would give 23 pts. Don't use Chance with low rolls unless every other category is filled.
Score Zeros Strategically
If you must score a 0, sacrifice Small Straight or Full House first (lower expected value). Protect Large Straight (40 pts) and Yahtzee (50 pts) as long as you have any chance of hitting them.
Late Game Planning
With 3 categories left, evaluate what the CPU still needs. If you're ahead, play safe by filling in guaranteed scores. If you're behind, take risks on Yahtzee or Large Straight.
Yahtzee FAQ
How do you play Yahtzee?
Yahtzee is a dice game using 5 dice and a scorecard with 13 categories. Each turn you get up to 3 rolls. After each roll you can hold any dice and reroll the rest. After your final roll you must fill in one category on the scorecard. After 13 rounds the player with the highest total score wins.
What is a Yahtzee?
A Yahtzee is when all five dice show the same number — for example five 4s. It scores 50 points in the Yahtzee category. Rolling additional Yahtzees after your first earns a 100-point bonus each time.
Is this Yahtzee game free to play?
Yes, completely free. Our online Yahtzee game requires no download, no account, and no payment. Play directly in your browser on any device — desktop, tablet, or mobile.
How does the upper section bonus work in Yahtzee?
If the total of your six upper-section scores (Ones through Sixes) reaches 63 or more, you earn a 35-point bonus automatically. The target of 63 assumes you score three of each number — e.g. three 1s = 3, three 6s = 18.
What is the Yahtzee joker rule?
If you roll a Yahtzee but your Yahtzee box is already filled with 50 points, and the corresponding upper-section box for that die value is also filled, you may use the joker rule: score Full House (25), Small Straight (30), or Large Straight (40) with your five-of-a-kind.
About Yahtzee
Yahtzee was invented by a Canadian couple, Milton and Eva Lowe, around 1954, originally called "The Yacht Game" because they played it on their yacht. They sold the rights to Edwin S. Lowe, who trademarked the name Yahtzee and popularized it through Milton Bradley (now Hasbro). Today it's one of the best-selling dice games in history, with over 50 million sets sold.
Yahtzee vs Farkle: Both are dice games, but they play very differently. Farkle is a push-your-luck game — you decide whether to bank points or risk rolling again to reach 10,000. Yahtzee is a category-filling game — over exactly 13 rounds, you strategically assign each roll to maximize your total score. Yahtzee rewards planning and probability thinking; Farkle rewards nerve and risk tolerance.
Perfect Score: The theoretical maximum score in Yahtzee is 1,575 points — rolling Yahtzee on every turn, scoring it with the joker rule for every lower-section category, and filling the upper section perfectly. In practice, a score above 400 is considered very strong.
Popular Variants: Yatzy (Scandinavian version, same concept but no Yahtzee bonus and slightly different rules), Triple Yahtzee (three simultaneous scorecards), and Painted Yahtzee all exist. Our online version follows the standard American Hasbro ruleset.