Poker Dice: How to Play, Rules, Strategy to Win

Introduction

Have you heard of poker dice or played poker with dice before? Want to learn how it works and the basic rules?

If yes, you’re in the right place! We’ll take you through the exciting game of poker dice, explaining everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Poker Dice?

Poker Dice is a game that mixes poker and dice. It uses special dice with six sides, each showing one of the top six cards in a deck: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, and 9.

Since dice only have six sides, the other cards are left out. Instead of suits, the game uses colors:

• Red for Kings
• Green for Queens
• Blue for Jacks

History of Poker Dice game

Poker Dice has been around since the 19th century. It is thought to have started in New Orleans, Louisiana, and quickly spread across the United States. The game was officially patented in 1881.

Although it became popular over time, it never reached the same level of fame as traditional poker.

Poker Dice Rules

Poker Dice is a simple game where your goal is to roll the best poker hand in one round. Usually, several rounds are played in a single game.

Here’s what you’ll need to play:

• Five 6-sided dice (regular dice work, but special Poker Dice make it more fun)
• At least two players
• A score sheet
• Poker chips if you’re betting to track wins and losses

If you’re using regular 6-sided dice, here’s what each number represents:

• 6 = Ace (Single Club)
• 5 = Red King
• 4 = Green Queen
• 3 = Blue Jack
• 2 = Ten Diamonds
• 1 = Nine Spades

How to Play Poker Dice

1. Choose a starting player

(If you’re using chips, each player places one chip in the center as the pot.)

2. Start your turn by rolling all five dice
   1. After the first roll, decide which dice (if any) you want to set aside as part of your score.
   2. Dice set aside are not locked—you can reroll them later if you want.
3. Reroll the other dice (if needed)
   1. You can roll the remaining dice up to two more times during your turn.
   2. After each roll, decide which dice to keep for scoring.
   3. You can also stop rolling after the first or second roll if you’re happy with your hand.
4. End your turn
   1. After up to three rolls, your final hand is based on all five dice.
   2. Pass the dice to the next player.
5. Determine the winner
   1. Once everyone has taken a turn, the player with the highest poker hand wins.
   2. If you’re using chips, the winner takes the pot.
6. Tiebreakers
   1. If there’s a tie, the tied players roll again until there’s a clear winner.

Can you play Poker Dice solo?

Yes! You can play alone by trying to beat your previous high score.

How to Win Poker Dice: Strategy, Hands & Probabilities

Here’s how the hands in Poker Dice rank, from best to worst, along with the chance of rolling each one:

1. Five of a Kind (e.g., 4-4-4-4-4) = 0.08% chance
2. Four of a Kind (e.g., 4-4-4-4-2) = 1.93% chance
3. Full House (three of one number and a pair, e.g., 4-4-4-2-2) = 3.86% chance
4. Straight (e.g., 1-2-3-4-5) = 3.09% chance
5. Three of a Kind (e.g., 4-4-4-2-1) = 15.43% chance
6. Two Pair (e.g., 4-4-2-2-1) = 23.15% chance
7. One Pair (e.g., 4-4-5-2-1) = 46.30% chance
8. Highest Die (e.g., a single Ace (6) or other high number) = 6.17% chance

Things to Decide Before You Play:

• Decide if Straights will count as a scoring hand. Some versions of Poker Dice don’t include them.
• Agree on how to rank a Straight compared to a Full House. In some versions, Straights are ranked higher.

Winning the Game:

• The player with the highest hand at the end of each round wins.
• Over multiple rounds, the player who wins the most games becomes the overall winner!

What Equipment Do You Need for Poker Dice?

If you’re ready to play Poker Dice with friends, here’s what you’ll need:

• A large table with enough space for rolling the dice
• Chairs for everyone playing
• A score sheet to track the results
• Poker chips if you’re keeping track of wins and losses
• Snacks (optional, but always a nice touch!)
• The dice – Regular dice work fine, but special Poker Dice can make the game more fun and authentic.
• Now you’re ready to set up a great game night!

Varieties of Poker Dice

There are different versions of Poker Dice, with some using regular dice and others using dice with extra sides. Here are a few popular ones:

• Spanish Poker Dice
• Eight-Sided Dice games that include 8s and 7s
• Jimmy the Greek Odds Maker Poker Dice (from 1974) using 12-sided dice
• Royal Poker Dice (from 2000) using 12-sided dice to represent all 52 cards in a deck
• Liar’s Dice Variant where players roll poker dice behind screens for added secrecy

Each version brings a unique twist to the classic Poker Dice game!

Conclusion

Poker Dice is a fun and easy-to-learn game that combines the excitement of poker with the simplicity of dice. Whether you’re playing casually with friends, trying out different variations, or competing to win, Poker Dice offers endless entertainment. With just a few basic supplies and an understanding of the rules and strategies, you’re ready to dive into the game. So gather your friends, roll the dice, and enjoy this unique twist on a classic game!