Yahtzee Game Review

Yahtzee Game Background

Yahtzee is a turn-based dice-rolling game you can play against up to 3 computer players. Your goal is to earn points by from combinations of dice that appear once cast. Save up your dice to build up higher-value combinations. Win by earning the highest score at the end of the game.

This version of the game was developed by Code This Lab.

How to Play Yahtzee

To select, left click with your mouse or tap on the touchscreen with your fingers. On the welcome screen, select the play button to load the player selection screen. From there, choose the number of players to go against. Choosing one player will have you play against no one, while choosing the others pits you against 1, 2, and 3 computer players.

Select the dice button to roll the dice, then select the dice themselves to lock them in. Select each combination entry to lock in your score.

Basic Gameplay Advice

Basic Rules

Like the game it shares a name with, your goal is to score points based on dice rolls. You are given 5 six-sided dice, which you can roll 3 times. Each resulting roll will have a score equivalent based on the combination of numbers that comes up, which will appear on their entry on the scoreboard at the center of the screen. You can either re-roll all the dice, lock in some of them, or accept the score. If you select a scoreboard entry with no matching combination, you will get 0 points.,

The scoreboard is divided into two parts, which are in turn divided into labels and columns for the players. In versus games where you play against computer opponents, your score columns are always to the right of the other players. The game ends when you (and in multiplayer games, your opponents) have filled up all your spaces.

To win a versus game, you must have more points than all the other players.

Scoring

Each dice roll has an equivalent score based on the combination it matches. To win the game, it pays to choose the combination that yields the most points. Once you’ve selected a combination, you cannot use it again, so be careful.

The left section of the scoreboard consists of entries of individual numbers. Your score is the sum of how many times each number appears on the board. For instance, if your has three dice with a number 5, you will earn 15 points.

The right section of the scoreboard has specific combinations. Three of them (Chance, 3-of-a-kind, and 4-of-a-kind) are worth the sum of the dice’s values. The others have their own scores.

• 3-of-a-Kind: Any 3 identical numbers
• 4-of-a-Kind: Any 4 identical numbers
• Full House: Two sets of identical numbers (two of one and three of another); worth 25 points
• Small Straight: Any set of four numbers in sequential order (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5); worth 25 points
• Full Straight: Any set of five numbers in sequential order (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5); worth 30 points.
• Yacht: Any 5 identical numbers; worth 40 points
• Chance: Any set of numbers

Unlike other versions of this game (such as this one), there are no modifiers for getting three, for, or five identical numbers in a row. This game has no jokers and you will only get a Yacht once.

Your web browser automatically saves your best score.

Advanced Playing Tips & Strategy

We recommend focusing on the right-side entries early in the game, with the exception of Chance (save this for the late game). Aim for the harder combinations first (e.g. straights, Full House, Yacht). In particular, start saving up for the Yacht the moment you get 3 identical ones in a row.

Throughout the game, choose the combination with the highest possible score value. If you must place a low-value combination, though, pick the ones on the left where you won’t score much anyway, such as the entry for 1 and 2. Try to gain multiples of at least 3 of the same number before you lock it in.

This game gives you two chances to earn points from high-value rolls even if you receive no bonus points from them like our other game. If you roll multiples of 5 or 6, save them under 3- or 4-in-a-Row first.

Educational Aspects

This game hones a player’s ability to think strategically when dealing with chance encounters.

Player Age Recommendations

This game is suited for older school-aged children and above. We recommend it for fans of dice-rolling games.