POKER DICE



OBJECTIVE OF POKER DICE:  Be the player with the most chips at the end of the game

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 or more

MATERIALS: Five 6 sided dice and chips for betting

TYPE OF GAME: Dice game

AUDIENCE: Adults


INTRODUCTION OF POKER DICE

Poker Dice is a fun way to play poker without the use of cards.  The randomness of the dice roll changes the overall strategy needed for the game and introduces more luck.  While this change might be frustrating for seasoned poker veterans, the element of luck may make the game more inviting for the casual gambler. 

THE PLAY

Each round begins the with the first player deciding the ante.  Any other player who wishes to play this round must meet the ante.  For example, if the player throws in a single chip, all other players must also throw a single chip into the pot if they wish to play this round.

On a player’s turn, they may roll the dice up to three times.  While doing so, players are trying to build the best combination possible.  During their turn, player’s may keep or reroll as many dice as they wish.  Once a player is satisfied with their dice combination (or has rolled three times), their turn is over.  They may choose to check (leave the pot amount as it is), or raise (add more chips to the pot). 

If a player raises, all other players must meet the raise in order to stay in the round.

Once a player’s turn is finished, the dice are passed to the next player.  This player must beat the previous player’s combination in order to stay in the round.  For subsequent turns during a round, players are challenged to roll a better combination in order to stay in.  If the player fails to roll a better combination, they immediately bust and are out of the round.  If a player rolls a higher valued combination, any previous players who rolled something worse are out of the round.  The player taking their turn, having rolled the new highest valued combination, may check or raise. 

The player who rolled the highest combination takes the pot.  If the final player at the table rolls the highest combination, the round is immediately over, and they collect the pot.

EXAMPLE ROUND

Player 1 antes two chips.  All other players must then throw in two chips in order to play.

Player 1 begins their turn. They roll a small straight.  They choose to raise the pot by throwing in one more chip.  All other players must meet the raise in order to stay in the round.  The dice are passed to the next player.

Player 2 takes their turn.  They roll a full house.  This beats Player 1’s roll, so Player 1 is immediately out of the round.  Player 2 chooses to raise the pot.  All other players must meet the raise in order to stay in the round.  The dice are passed to the next player.

Player 3 takes their turn.  They only roll a pair.  Their roll is worse than Player 2’s, so they are immediately out of the round.  The dice are passed to the next player.

Player 4 takes their turn.  They roll a four of a kind.  This is the highest combination yet.  Player 4 is the final player, so they immediately win the pot. 

Whoever wins the pot begins the next round.

WINNING

The following Poker Dice rolls are in order from high to low:

Five of a kind – All 5 dice rolled are the same number

Four of a kind – 4 dice rolled are the same number

Full house – 3 dice rolled with one number and 2 dice rolled with a different number

Straight – Five dice rolled in sequential order (1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6)

Small Straight – Four dice rolled in sequential order (1-2-3-4)

Three of a kind – 3 dice rolled are the same number

Two pairs – 2 dice pairs rolled are the same number (3-3, 5-5)

One pair – 2 dice rolled are the same number

Bust – All dice numbers rolled are different

The player with the most chips at the end of the game wins.

Mark Ball
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