Playing Left Center Right Dice Game

Left Center Right (LCR) is a fast-moving custom dice game that is easy to learn. LCR is a game of luck, there is no skill involved, simply the rolling of dice. LCR is commonly known as a party game played for money.

Equipment

The board game version comes with three specialized dice. Three of the sides are dots, one of the sides is an L, one is an R, and one is a C. The L represents left, the R right, and the C center. However, the game can easily be played with regular playing dice as well.

You need to give out three items to each player before the start of the game. While this game is often played with dollar bills, you can use virtually anything. For example, poker chips, marbles, or quarters would work as well.

This game is played in a circular formation, whether it be around a table or any open area. There needs to be space left in the middle in order to put the money, chips, or whatever object is used in.

Number Of Players

A minimum of three players, up to as many people as materials you have.
Ages 5+. This game can be helpful in teaching children the difference between their left and their right. However, for children younger than five it may be dangerous because dice can be a choking hazard.

Gameplay

Each player starts with three chips, and what is rolled on the dice determines where your chips go. If you roll a 4 you pass a chip to your left. If you roll a 5, to the right. When a 6 is rolled, the chip goes towards the middle and it is no longer in play. In the event you roll a 1, 2, or 3, you keep your chip. Each dice rolled correlates to one of your chips. For example, if a player rolls two 6’s and a 5, he would keep two of his chips while passing one chip to the player to his right.

Each player will take a turn rolling the dice one at a time. To begin the game, choose a player to roll the three dice first. Oftentimes, the oldest player has the honor of going first. Alternatively, each player could roll a dice and whoever rolls the highest goes first. In the event of a tie, keep rolling until someone rolls higher.

Roll as many dice as you have chips (up to three). In case you have more than 3 chips, only 3 of your chips are at risk.

Once you have passed your chips accordingly, pass the dice to the nearest person to your right who still has chips. If you run out of chips, this does not mean you are out of the game. Players may end up passing their chips to you. This keeps the game exciting because everyone has a chance to win even when they run out of chips.

From the roller’s perspective, they are rooting for the dots so that they maintain the number of chips that they have. A perfect roll would be all 1s, 2s, or 3s, as this would result in keeping all three chips. The worst possible roll would be three 6’s, because not only do you lose your chips, but the people close to you have a lower chance of giving them back to you. Even when you are not the roller, you have a stake in what they roll because you want to accumulate chips.

How To Win

Once there is only one player remaining with chips, they are crowned the winner. If you are playing with money, you win the whole pot!

Tip: If you want to play multiple rounds for lower stakes, use quarters instead of dollars! It will make the fun last longer. If quarters are still too high roller for you, try dimes, nickels, or pennies.

Variation

There is a variation of the game, called LCR wild. In this version, instead of three safe numbers, there are two. The third safe number is replaced by a W, which allows the roller to take one chip from any player. If you are interested in this version, change the number 3 to a W. If you manage to roll two W’s on the same role, you have the option of taking two chips from one player, or one chip from two different players. If you happen to roll 3 W’s on the same turn, you instantly win the game.

Interested in other Dice Games? Check out our Ultimate List of Dice Games.