The Ultimate List of Fun Dice Games
12 Easy and Simple Dice Games to Play With Friends & Family
Updated by Riley Rath
While many associate dice with casinos, you don't have to gamble to play a fun dice game. In fact, there are hundreds of games that can be played with dice, from drinking games to kid and family-friendly dice games. This list contains some of the more popular games being played today. Some are easier to learn and some are more intricate. The one thing they have in common: they all require dice!
Below are some of the best dice games out there; easy to play, simple to learn, and tons of fun!
© Disney
1) Liar's Dice
Also known as "Pirate's Dice," this is the game played by Davey Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean. It is one of the more fun and intricate dice games to play. It is similar to poker, in that each player is playing both their hand AND their opponents hands.
Here is how you play: Each player rolls two dice in a dice cup but does NOT show anyone the results. Then, the first player guesses a specific number of dice that have the same value in ALL the cups (ex: 4 4's). Then, the second player can either "raise" by stating A) that there are MORE of that same dice value, or B) that there are the same amount of a HIGHER face value, or call them a LIAR and everyone has to reveal their dice. At the end of each round, the losers lose a single die. When you are out of dice, you lose, and whoever still has dice wins the "pot" (if you are betting).
Read our post on Liar's Dice - Rules and Gameplay.
2) Bunco
Bunco has its origins in 19th-century England. It was largely a confidence game and was used to con money from unsuspecting people. Today, it's based entirely on luck, and almost no skill is associated with playing the game. It has seen a huge resurgence in interest among women.
3) Left Center Right
Played with at least three or more people with three dice per player, Left Center Right is, as of 2020, seeing a boom in interest. The game can be played just for fun or it can be played for money.
Alternative YouTube Video on How to Play Left Center Right
4) Backgammon
Backgammon is one of the oldest dice games in the world with roots going back over 5,000 years to ancient Persia and Mesopotamia. It is the favorite game of the famous investor Warren Buffet. The game combines the elements of both luck and skill. With a lucky roll of the dice, any player can defeat a world-champion Backgammon player in a single game. However, a great Backgammon player will win more games as time goes on due to their skillful play. Learn Backgammon Basics & How to Play here.
Equipment needed: Backgammon board, Backgammon pieces, two pairs of dice.
© Lucas Day for ELi
5) Beer Die ("Snappa")
While this game can be played inside, it is one of the few dice games that can be played standing up and is ideal for backyard parties during the warmer seasons. The goal of the game is to land a die in the opponent's cup, bounce it into the cup, or have the die bounce off the table. Those on the receiving end try to catch the die before it hits the ground. Learn "How to Play Beer Die" here.
In the drinking version of this game, drinks are finished when a die makes it into the cup (a "sink"). But there are plenty of opportunities for drinking (ex: if the die lands showing a 5). And of course, for underage players, you can fill your cup with a more appropriate drink of choice.
Equipment required: a table, 4 cups, beverage, a pair of dice.
6) Beetle
Grab a pen and paper (or cocktail napkin), cuz this one has drawing! Players roll a d6 to determine which body part of a beetle they draw (1-6, in order, body, head, leg, eye, antenna, tail). The appendages cannot be drawn until someone rolls a 1 and draws the body... and the eyes and antennas cannot be drawn until someone rolls a 2 and draws the head. Whoever finishes the beetle drawing is the winner.
Equipment required: writing surface, writing utensil, a single 6-sided die. Learn more here.
7) Dice Chess
Shake up a standard game of chess, one of the most strategic games ever, with the randomness of dice! Each chess piece is associated with a number on a die, and players roll to determine which pieces they can choose to move. If they roll doubles, they can move any piece legally. Special moves like "en passant" come with stipulations (read more here).
I would say this game is your best chance to beat that chess master in your family... but those people are pretty dang smart, so I'm sure they will still find a way to win!
Equipment needed: chess board, chess pieces, and a pair of dice (d6).
8) Tabletop Role Playing Games (ex: Dungeons and Dragons)
Tabletop role-playing games combine drama, adventure, and wackiness in a balance of acting, improvisation, and strategic thinking. A leader (the "game master") organizes the plot and world that players adventure in. Rolling to determine outcomes gives the game an exciting uncertainty that keeps everyone on their toes.
The best way to learn how to play D&D is to join a group of experienced players. You'll need a good set of polyhedral dice to get started. Head over to our shop to check out hundreds of DND dice sets.
9) Pig
Pig is one of those games that's sole purpose is seemingly just to roll dice. Which sounds boring... but this game is a shocking amount of fun. So much so that it should be a staple of any bar that wants their patrons to have a good time.
There are several variations of the game (you can read up on it here), but basically you roll dice as much as you want, racking up points by adding up the totals. HOWEVER... if you roll a 1, you lose ALL YOUR POINTS. So the only way to keep your points is to choose to stop rolling.
Zero skill involved, but once you have rolled 8 times and have a great score, I guarantee that you'll be sweating bullets with each round! Whichever player has the highest number total after everyone has rolled wins!
Equipment: a single d6!
10) Boston!
Unquestionably the easiest game (on this list) to play and learn, which in turn makes it perfect for children learning their arithmetic!
The first player rolls 3 dice and takes the highest result. Then they roll the remaining two dice and take the highest result. Then they roll the last die and take the result. Now it's the next player's turn, who does the same thing. After everyone has gone, the player with the highest score wins!
Equipment needed: three 6-sided dice.
11) Ship, Captain, Crew
The point of this game is rolling dice IN ORDER. You start with 5 dice and need to roll a 6 ("ship"), then a 5 ("captain"), and then a 4 ("crew"). If you have any remaining dice, you roll them and that is your score for that round. If you have no remaining dice, then you get zero points. Whoever has the highest score wins the round. Play as many rounds as you want!
Equipment needed: 5d6 (five 6-sided dice).
12) Tenzi
Of all the dice games on this list, this one is the most FRANTIC and requires the most dice. Every single player needs 10d6 each (get them in sets of 36 here).
Players take their 10 dice and on "GO!" they begin rolling them all at once. Every die that lands on a 6, they set aside and roll again. First player to have all dice showing sixes wins!
Equipment required: LOOOOOOOTS of d6.
What Do You Mean by "Easy Dice Games"?
Most of the games on this list can be taught in under one minute, making them easy to learn. Additionally, a lot of these games only require dice, or dice and common items you can find anywhere. Finally, dice are small and light, making these games easy to play anywhere.
Where Can I Get Dice for Fun Dice Games?
Look no further than this website, Awesome Dice! We have beautiful designs like those you'd find on Pinterest; low prices like Amazon; and hand-crafted, quality choices like those you'd find on Etsy. Whether you need dice for late night party games, a fun way to play with your kids, or a simple game with a friend at the bar, we have you covered!
Riley Rath
Riley is a freelance copywriter, content writer, and marketer based out of Spokane, WA. He is thankful to have the opportunity to combine his passion for imaginative role-playing to help FLGS, tabletop, board game, and D&D related businesses communicate their distinct value to players everywhere. When not playing or writing about board games or DnD, he is busy hiking, cooking, and gardening... very hobbit-like for a 6'4" dude.
Visit his site if you want tabletop games marketing advice!