ACES

OBJECTIVE: To avoid being the last player to roll a one

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 or more

MATERIALS: Five 6 sided dice for each player 

TYPE OF GAME: Dice Game

AUDIENCE: Family, Adults

INTRODUCTION TO ACES

While many dice games call for players to sit and wait during other’s turns, the game Aces is a fast paced dice passing game that will not let you daze off.  Whether you are having a family game night, a party with friends, or an evening at the local bar, this is an excellent dice game to play. Players will pass dice, chuck the aces to the center, or hold on to certain rolls while hoping they are not the last player to roll a one.

Much like other dice games, Aces would typically be played while drinking.  The loser of the game would have to buy the next round for the table.  To simplify the game for a pub atmosphere, start with each player getting one die.

SET UP

Each player will need their own set of five 6 sided dice.  To decide who goes first, everyone will roll their set of dice and add up the total.  The player with the highest total goes first.

THE PLAY

On a player’s turn, they will roll all of the dice in their possession.  If it is the start of a game, the first player will roll five dice.  

After the roll, all of the 2’s will be passed to the player on the roller’s left.  Any 5’s will be passed to the player on the roller’s right.  Any 1’s will be placed in the center.  Those dice are no longer part of the game.  If the player rolls 2’s, 5’s, or 1’s, they will roll again with their remaining dice.  

A player’s turn is over once they do not roll any 2’s, 5’s, or 1’s.  It is also over if they run out of dice.  

Play continues around the table until the final die is placed in the center.  The player who rolls the final 1 and places the die in the center of the table is the loser.

WINNING

The goal is to avoid being the last player to roll a 1.  All the players who accomplish this are considered the winners.

VARIATIONS

To spice the game up even more, 3’s may be passed to a player of the roller’s choice.

Mark Ball
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