How to Play Nordic Yatzy

    Learn the rules and start rolling your way to high scores

    Game Overview

    Nordic Yatzy is played with 5 dice and a scorecard. The goal is to score as many points as possible by rolling different combinations. Each game consists of 15 rounds, and in each round, you have up to 3 rolls to achieve the best possible combination.

    After each roll, you can choose which dice to keep and which to re-roll. After your final roll (or earlier if you wish), you must choose a category on the scorecard to score your dice. Each category can only be used once per game.

    The game ends when all 15 categories have been filled. Your final score is the sum of all categories, including any bonuses earned.

    Learn more about our platform and features.

    How to Play

    1

    Roll the Dice

    Click "Roll Dice" to roll all 5 dice. You get up to 3 rolls per turn.

    2

    Keep Dice

    After each roll, click on the dice you want to keep. Kept dice won't be re-rolled. Click again to unkeep them.

    3

    Re-roll

    Roll again (up to 2 more times) to improve your hand, or proceed to scoring if you're satisfied.

    4

    Score

    After your final roll, click a category on the scorecard to register your score. Choose wisely—each category can only be used once!

    Scoring Categories

    Upper Section

    Score the sum of dice matching the category number

    Ones

    Sum of all 1s

    1-1-1-4-5 = 3 points
    Twos

    Sum of all 2s

    2-2-3-4-5 = 4 points
    Threes

    Sum of all 3s

    3-3-3-2-5 = 9 points
    Fours

    Sum of all 4s

    4-4-2-3-6 = 8 points
    Fives

    Sum of all 5s

    5-5-5-1-2 = 15 points
    Sixes

    Sum of all 6s

    6-6-6-6-3 = 24 points

    Bonus: If the sum of your upper section is 63 or more, you earn a 50-point bonus!

    Lower Section

    Score by achieving specific combinations

    Pair

    Two dice showing the same number. Score: sum of the pair.

    Example: 5-5-2-3-4 = 10 points

    Two Pairs

    Two different pairs. Score: sum of both pairs.

    Example: 5-5-3-3-1 = 16 points

    Three of a Kind

    Three dice showing the same number. Score: sum of those three dice.

    Example: 4-4-4-2-5 = 12 points

    Four of a Kind

    Four dice showing the same number. Score: sum of those four dice.

    Example: 6-6-6-6-2 = 24 points

    Small Straight

    Five dice in sequence: 1-2-3-4-5. Score: 15 points.

    Example: 1-2-3-4-5 = 15 points

    Large Straight

    Five dice in sequence: 2-3-4-5-6. Score: 20 points.

    Example: 2-3-4-5-6 = 20 points

    Full House

    Three of one number and two of another. Score: sum of all dice.

    Example: 5-5-5-2-2 = 19 points

    Chance

    Any combination. Score: sum of all dice.

    Example: 1-3-4-5-6 = 19 points

    Yatzy

    All five dice showing the same number. Score: 50 points!

    Example: 6-6-6-6-6 = 50 points

    Strategy Tips

    Focus on getting the upper section bonus (63 points) early in the game. This 50-point bonus can make the difference between winning and losing!

    Don't waste high-value rolls on low-scoring categories. Save categories like Chance for when you have a poor roll.

    Yatzy (50 points) is rare but valuable. Don't sacrifice too much trying to get it, but if you're close on your second roll, it might be worth the risk.

    Two Pairs and Full House can score well. Look for opportunities to build these combinations when you have matching dice.

    The straights (Small and Large) are worth decent points but can be difficult to achieve. Don't spend all three rolls chasing them unless you're close.

    Check out our other guides to become an even stronger Yatzy player

    Ready to Roll?

    Now that you know the rules, it's time to put your skills to the test!

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