Dice Games

by Mark A. Jindra

The 1st edition Player s Handbook (pg. 122) had an entire section regarding suggested
agreements for division of treasure, which included equal shares, plus dicing for magic items. For
those interested in dicing for items, we offer the following dice games.
Cutpurse
Originating in back alleys and played by thieves and other unsavory types, Cutpurse has made its
way into local taverns and gambling establishments.
Cutpurse is a simple game played with two six sided dice by any number of players for stakes.
Each player rolls a die, with the highest throwing first in the game and the lowest "setting the
point". The player with the lowest roll throws a die again, and the number rolled becomes the
point number. Each player in turn rolls the dice and scores one for every occurrence of the point
number. A player who rolls a double point number scores 3 points instead of 2. The first player to
reach 11 points wins the game.
Rogue or Thief
A variant of Cutpurse known as Rogue or Thief is played with two 4 sided dice. Rolling a double
point number in this game however counts as 0 points and requires you to add a set amount to the
pot. This game requires two 4 or 6 sided dice (2d4, 2d6). This game is based on dice game
known as Passage.
Dragon's Hoard
Dragon's Hoard is a common dice game played in many taverns. Patrons often find the game's
layout on the taverns tables. In lower class establishments the layout is often crudely carved into
the tables' surface, whereas finer establishments have been known to use inlaid precious metals
and intricately carved scrollwork.
The layout is usually nine circles with the numbers 3 through 11 inside them. This layout is used
for both d6 and d4 gameplay (occasionally an establishment will have a layout specifically for d4
play, which is made up of 5 circles with the numbers 3 through 7 inside them).
In most establishments, the currency of the region is used to wager; however some establishments
provide counters or chips. Players sometimes play to divvy up other valuable stakes, such as
jewelry and magic items.
Players throw the dice in turn. After each throw, they place a chip on the corresponding
number on the layout. For example, if a player throws a total of 4, he places a chip on the area of
the layout marked 4. Once a number on the layout has three or more chips on it, the next player to
roll that number collects them. If a player rolls a pair of 1's, known as "Dragon Eyes," that player
places a chip on all the numbers on the layout. If a player rolls two 6's, known as "Stealing the
Hoard," they collect all the chips on the layout.

Play continues for a pre-determined time, or until it is agreed to end the game.
This dice game requires two dice (2d4 or 2d6), chips and a layout drawn up with the appropriate
numbers on it. This game is based on a dice game known as Jackpot.
Beat the Bartender
The origins of this game are unknown, but two versions are played. The first version, known as
Beat the Bartender, is usually played in local taverns. The second, known as Beat This!, is played
mostly by orcs.
Beat the Bartender is usually played using 2d6 (although any two dice can be used: 2d10, 2d20,
etc.). Bets are placed between the players and the bartender before the dice are thrown. The
bartender rolls the two dice and scores the total of the two numbers thrown. Subsequent players
roll the dice and have to score a higher total to win their bet. The bartender wins in the case of
tied scores.
Beat This!
In Beat This!, one player takes the role of leader. The game is played with two dice against the
leader. Bets are placed between the players and the leader before the dice are thrown. The leader
rolls two dice and scores the total of the two numbers thrown. Subsequent players roll the dice
and have to score a higher total to win their bet. The leader wins in the case of tied scores. After
each round, the role of leader changes to the player with the lowest total score.
Orcs often have trouble finding two matching dice and sometimes play the game with two or even
three dice of varying sides.
This game requires two or three dice of varying sides (d4 through d12). This game is based on the
dice game known as High Dice, also known as Two Dice Klondike, Bingo, and Beat the Bank.
Dragon Slayer
This dice game is said to have originated in cities and villages that border mountainous regions
harboring dragons.
Dragon Slayer is played with three 6-sided dice and chips, and is played for stakes. All players
first roll a die; the player with the highest roll then rolls 3 dice. The resulting total sets the number
of rounds it will take to slay the dragon. Starting with the player who set the number of rounds,
each player in turn rolls three dice and continues to throw them until a double is thrown. Each
throw that does not contain a double counts as missing the dragon. A throw that contains a
double counts as successful strike. A number of chips that equal the number of misses and the
throw that contained the double are placed in front of the player. After all rounds are played, the
player with the lowest total chips in front of them has slain the dragon the fastest and wins. The
winner sets the next game's number of rounds.

Drunken Dragon
Dragon Slayer is sometimes played as a drinking game amongst the heartiest of adventurers (and
is said to be a favorite of dwarves). In this variant, known as Drunken Dragon, players drink a
shot of liquor for every miss and a mug of ale for every strike, with the losers picking up the bar
tab for the winner.
This game requires three 6-sided dice (3d6). This game is based on dice game known as Dice
Golf.
Going to Town
Going to Town almost always takes the name of a large city as its location; for instance, Going to
Waterdeep in the Forgotten Realms, or Going to Sharn in Eberron.
Three 6-sided dice are most commonly used; however, the use of 4 or even 8-sided dice is not
unheard of. The game is fast and easy, and best when played with four or more players. Each
player in turn has three throws of the dice. On the first throw, the highest number is set aside. If
two or more dice show the highest number, then only one is kept.
The remaining two dice are thrown again, and the highest is again set aside. The final die is rolled,
and the total of all three is the player's score. The player with the highest score, after each player
has had a turn, wins that round. A set number of rounds are played, and the player who wins the
most is the overall winner.
(Note: Rolling three 6-sided in this fashion is an optional method for generating characters' ability
scores -- albeit artificially higher ones.)
Setting Sail
A variant of Going to Town known as Setting Sail is sometimes played in port cities and aboard
sailing vessels. In this game, the sum of the first two dice are multiplied by the third, instead of the
total of all three. This game requires three 4, 6, or 8-sided dice (3d4, 3d6, or 3d8). This game is
based on dice game known as Going to Boston, also known as Yankee Grab and Newmarket.
Galleon
Mostly played in the taverns of port cities or aboard sea going vessels, Galleon is the favored dice
game of sailors. The game is most often played for drinks or small wagers.
5 six-sided dice are used in this game. Each player takes a turn throwing the dice. Each turn a
player has three throws of the dice, and tries to roll and put to one side a 6 (the galleon), a 5 (the
captain), and 4 (the mate). The 6, 5, and 4 may not be rolled out of order so if the first throw
contains a 6 and 4, but not a 5, only the 6 is put aside and the rest of the dice, including the 4, are
rolled again. If a player fails to throw the 6, 5, and 4 after their three throws they score nothing.

If after three throws a player has put aside the galleon, captain and mate, the remaining two dice
(the crew) are totaled to form the player's score. If all three in the sequence are rolled before the
third and final throw, then the remaining two dice (the crew) are rolled in the remaining turn(s) to
improve the total of the player's score, with the highest crew total becoming the player's score.
The player with the highest crew total wins. In the case of an equally high total, all players must
play the round again. This game requires 5 six-sided dice (5d6). This game is based on a dice
game known as Ship, Captain, Mate, and Crew, also known as Battleship, Mariner, Destroyer,
and sometimes just Ship.
Copper Dragon
This game got its start in lower-class taverns, most often played with copper coins--which is how
it got the name Copper Dragon. In some establishments silver or gold coins are used and the
game has taken the name Silver Dragon or Gold Dragon. The game is also sometimes referred to
simply as Dragon Eyes.
The game is played with two 6-sided dice and two coins or chips (per player). The game is best
played with at least four players.
Before the game begins each player has two coins. Each player then in turn rolls the dice and may
lose coins according to the numbers thrown. If one of the dice thrown shows a 1, they must put
one of their coins into the pot. If a double 1 ("dragon eyes") is thrown, they must put two coins in
the pot. If a 6 is thrown, the player must pass one coin to the player on their left. If a double 6 is
thrown, two coins are passed to the player on their left. All other numbers are meaningless.
Once a player has lost all their coins, they must miss their turn and have to wait for a coin to be
passed to them before they can resume throwing the dice. The player with the last coin then has
three throws of the dice and has to avoid throwing a 6. If they fail and throw a 6, the coin and
dice pass to the next player who in turn has three throws of the dice. The player who throws the
dice three times without a 6 wins the pot.
This game requires two 6-sided dice (2d6). This game is based on dice game known as Aces in
the Pot.
Skull
This dice game was originally played with a cube of bone embellished with a carving of a skull on
one of its sides. The game is now more often played with a single 6-sided dice.
The game is simple. The player bets against the person throwing the dice rolling a 6 (a skull) at
least once out of four rolls. The payoff odds are set at even money (1 to 1) which is in favor of
the person throwing the die.

Double Skull
In this version the bet is whether the person throwing the dice will throw a double six
(double skull) at least once out of 25 rolls. The payoff odds are set at even money (1 to 1) which
is in favor of the person throwing the die.
Bloody Caltrops
A variant of this game is played by mercenaries, brigands and thieves around the campfire -- either
just to pass the time, or for big money in the poorer districts by people looking for a better life.
Two 4-sided dice or a pair of caltrops with one spike painted red (or stained with blood) are used.
In this version, the bet is whether the person throwing the dice will throw a double four (bloody
caltrops) at least once out of 11 rolls. The payoff odds are set at even money (1 to 1) which is in
favor of the person throwing the die.
This game requires two 4, one or two 6-sided dice (2d4, 2d6). This game is based on dice game
known as Sixes Bet, also known as Double Sixes.
Spoils of War
It is rumored that this game started as a way for soldiers to divide their spoils of war, and has
since quickly become a local tavern favorite. It is sometimes known only as Spoils.
The game is played with three 6-sided dice and stakes. Each player takes a turn at being the bank.
Players lay bets on the outcome of the dice. One of the players (usually the player to the bank's
left) throws the three dice. If the dice total less than 10, then the players lose their wagers. If the
total is 10 or more, then the banker loses and pays out an equal amount on the players' bets.
The banker is at a disadvantage and some players prefer to make the odds fairer for the banker by
making the bankers winning total 10 or less.
Bump
A variant is sometimes played with increasing stakes and increasing odds for the bank, known as
Bump. If all three dice roll the same number, all players must double their bet, the bankers
winning number is raised by two, and the dice are rolled again. This continues if all three dice
again roll the same number.
This game requires three 6-sided dice (3d6). This game is based on dice game known as Ten also
known as Spot, Dicey, Roll-Ten and Birdie.
Deceit
Deceit is a dice game that challenges players to determine if they are being deceived or not. The
game is played with two 6-sided dice, chips or coins, and a cup or mug (that you can not see
through). Each player rolls a die with the highest roll going first. Players place the dice in the cup
and turn the cup face down, rolling the dice. They then take a peek, being careful not to let
anyone else see the results. The player may now tell the truth about the roll or lie about it.

The dice are always read with the larger number first. For instance if you have a 2 and 5, your
read it as 52. 6 and 1 is 61, and so on. Examples of invalid numbers would be 25 or 16.
Play continues clockwise around the table. Each player must always announce a number greater
than the previous player, by truth or by lying. The next player decides whether or not they believe
the roll. If they do not, they lift the cup to check. If the truth was told, the person who questioned
it must give the person who rolled the dice a chip. If it was a lie, the person who rolled the dice
must give the player who challenged them a chip. However, if the roll is not questioned, the dice
are passed to the next person clockwise; without looking, that players then rolls the dice,
continuing the game.
Here is a list of possible rolls in from highest to lowest:
1-1*, 6-6, 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, 5-5, 5-4, 5-3, 5-2, 5-1,
4-4, 4-3, 4-2, 4-1, 3-3, 3-2, 3-1, 2-2, 2-1**
*If you roll (or lie) 1-1 (the highest roll), you may choose any player and tell them to give you a chip. If
the person chosen believes you, they hand a chip to you, and the next player continues. If they do not
believe you and you actually have a 1-1, then they must give you two chips. If they do not believe you
and you are lying, then you must surrender two chips to them.
**If you roll (or lie) 2-1, the direction of the game changes. For instance, the game starts clockwise, but
may change to counterclockwise if the next player believes you or if they challenge you and you actually
rolled 2-1. Chips change hands as normal on this roll.

In all cases, when someone is paid a chip(s), the next player begins from zero. Each player begins
the game with a predetermined number of chips and is eliminated if they have no more chips. The
last player with any chips is declared the winner. Games with unlimited chips may conclude after a
set number of rounds or all players agree to end the game.
This game requires two 6-sided dice (2d6). This game is based on dice game known as Mexico.
Wishing Well
Wishing Well is a fast-moving dice game for two to six players (ideally six). Three dice and at
least ten coins or chips per player are all that's needed. Each player is assigned a number from 1 to
6, representing the numbers on a die. If only five are playing, the 6 is ignored. If only four are
playing, both the 5 and 6 are ignored. With three players, each is given two numbers, and with
two players each is given three numbers.
Each player in turn rolls the three dice. If any player's number comes up in a throw, they must put
a chip in the pot (the wishing well). For example, if the first player rolls 4, 4, 2, then the player
assigned the number 4 puts in two chips, and the player assigned the 2, one chip. The first player
to put all his chips into the pot, wins (gets their wish), and takes the pot.

A set number of games are played, usually equal to the number of players, with the winner of the
previous game becoming the first thrower. Different sided dice can be used, depending on the
total number of players and dice available. 6-sided dice are most common, but games with 4, 8, or
10-sided dice are not unheard of.
Poisoned Well
In this variant, if you roll your own number you do not put a chip into the pot. Instead you choose
either the player to your left or the player to your right to put a chip into the pot. This game
requires three 4, 6, 8 or 10-sided dice (3d4, 3d6, 3d8, or 3d10). This game is based on dice game
known as Help Your Neighbor.
About the Author
Mark A. Jindra has been a fan of Dungeons & Dragons for over 25 years. In 1998 he landed his dream job as a web
developer for Wizards of the Coast and is currently the developer of the D&D website.