Greed Dice Game (10,000/Farkle)
Greed, also known as 10,000 or Farkle, is a fast-paced and exciting dice game that blends luck and strategy. It's suitable for players of all ages and can be enjoyed by two or more participants. The objective is simple: accumulate points and be the first to reach 10,000. However, players must carefully manage risk and decide whether to continue rolling or bank their points. Below is a detailed guide on how to play Greed.
Materials Needed:
- Six standard six-sided dice
- Score sheets or paper and pen to keep track of each player’s score
Objective:
The goal of Greed is to be the first player to accumulate exactly 10,000 points.
Game Setup:
- Determine the Starting Player: Each player rolls a single die. The player with the highest roll goes first.
- Order of Play: The game proceeds clockwise around the table.
Scoring:
Players score points based on specific combinations rolled during their turn. Here are the basic rules for scoring:
- Single 1s: 100 points each
- Single 5s: 50 points each
- Three of a Kind (excluding 1s): The value of the die multiplied by 100 (e.g., three 4s = 400 points)
- Three 1s: 1,000 points
- Four of a Kind: Three of a kind score multiplied by 2 (e.g., four 2s = 200 x 2 = 400 points)
- Five of a Kind: Four of a kind score multiplied by 2 (e.g., five 3s = 300 x 2 = 600 points)
- Six of a Kind: Five of a kind score multiplied by 2 (e.g., six 4s = 400 x 2 = 800 points)
- Straight (1-2-3-4-5-6): 1,500 points
- Three Pairs: 1,500 points
Game Play:
1. Rolling the Dice:
On each player’s turn, they roll all six dice. After rolling, they need to look for scoring combinations (such as single 1s, single 5s, or three-of-a-kinds).
2. Setting Aside Scoring Dice:
After each roll, players must set aside any dice that result in a scoring combination. For example, if the player rolls a 1, 5, and two 3s, they should set aside the 1 and the 5 for 150 points and re-roll the two 3s.
3. Deciding to Bank or Continue:
After setting aside the scoring dice, players have two options:
- Bank the Points: Stop the turn and record the points earned so far.
- Continue Rolling: Re-roll the remaining dice in hopes of earning more points.
Note: The player must set aside at least one scoring die from each roll. If no scoring dice are rolled, the player scores zero points for that turn (this is referred to as "farkling").
4. Farkling:
If no scoring dice are rolled on a player's turn, they lose all points accumulated for that round, and the turn ends.
5. Continue Rolling:
If all six dice are set aside as scoring dice, the player may continue rolling all six dice again to accumulate even more points.
6. Banking Points:
After each roll, players may choose to end their turn and bank their points. The accumulated points are then safely recorded, and the next player’s turn begins.
Reaching 10,000 Points:
- Exact Finish: A player must reach exactly 10,000 points to win. If a player exceeds 10,000 points, they cannot win.
- Final Round: Once a player reaches or exceeds 10,000 points, every other player gets one final turn to try and surpass the leading player's score.
Example of Play:
Let’s say Player A rolls the six dice and gets:
- 1, 1, 5, 2, 4, 6
Step 1: Player A sets aside the two 1s (100 points each) and the 5 (50 points), for a total of 250 points.
Step 2: Player A decides to roll the remaining three dice (2, 4, 6) and gets:
- 1, 2, 5
Step 3: Player A sets aside the 1 (100 points) and the 5 (50 points), adding 150 points to their previous total, making their score 400 points.
Step 4: Player A can either bank their 400 points or continue rolling the last die. They decide to roll again, hoping to score more points.
Step 5: Player A rolls the final die, but it lands on a 3, which does not count as a scoring die. Since no scoring dice were rolled, Player A loses the 400 points and ends their turn with zero points.
Conclusion:
Greed is an exciting, fast-paced game that rewards both risk and strategy. Players must decide whether to continue rolling for more points or bank their earnings and pass the dice to the next player. With each roll, the pressure rises, making it a thrilling game for all participants.