Beginner guide · Updated August 2026
How to Play Family Dice
Roll five dice up to three times, keep the dice you want, then score one of 13 categories. After every player completes 13 turns, the highest total wins.
Start here
Family Dice in one minute
The goal is to build the highest score by rolling combinations such as three of a kind, a full house, straights and the biggest combination: five matching dice. On each turn, roll all five dice, choose which dice to keep and reroll the rest. You may roll no more than three times.
At the end of the turn, choose exactly one empty category on your scorecard. Each category can be used only once, so deciding where to place a weak roll matters just as much as chasing a big one.
Step by step
How a game works
One category is filled on every turn.- 1
Choose who starts
Each player rolls one die. The highest roll begins, then play continues clockwise.
- 2
Roll all five dice
Your first roll always uses all five dice. Look for a useful scoring combination.
- 3
Keep the dice you want
Set aside any keepers. You may keep none, some, or all of the dice.
- 4
Roll again
Reroll the remaining dice. You may change your mind and reroll a die you previously kept.
- 5
Take an optional third roll
After the second roll, reroll any dice once more or stop early if you already have the result you want.
- 6
Score exactly one category
Enter your result in one open box. If no useful category fits, you must place a zero in an empty box.
- 7
Complete all 13 turns
Every player fills one category per turn. The game ends when all 13 categories are complete.
- 8
Add the totals
Include the upper bonus and any extra five-of-a-kind bonuses. The player with the highest grand total wins.
Scoring guide
All 13 Family Dice categories
The upper section rewards matching numbers. The lower section rewards combinations.| Category | What you need | How it scores | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| UpperOnes | Any dice showing 1 | Add all ones | 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 |
| UpperTwos | Any dice showing 2 | Add all twos | 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 |
| UpperThrees | Any dice showing 3 | Add all threes | 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 |
| UpperFours | Any dice showing 4 | Add all fours | 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 |
| UpperFives | Any dice showing 5 | Add all fives | 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 |
| UpperSixes | Any dice showing 6 | Add all sixes | 6 + 6 + 6 = 18 |
| LowerThree of a kind | At least three matching dice | Total all five dice | 4, 4, 4, 2, 6 = 20 |
| LowerFour of a kind | At least four matching dice | Total all five dice | 5, 5, 5, 5, 2 = 22 |
| LowerFull house | Three of one number and two of another | 25 points | 2, 2, 6, 6, 6 |
| LowerSmall straight | Four consecutive numbers | 30 points | 1, 2, 3, 4 plus any die |
| LowerLarge straight | Five consecutive numbers | 40 points | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| LowerFive of a Kind | Five matching dice | 50 points | 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 |
| LowerChance | Any five dice | Total all five dice | 6, 5, 4, 3, 3 = 21 |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Ready to play with real dice? Use the free online or printable five-dice scorecard.
Worked example
A simple turn
- Roll 1
You roll 6, 6, 3, 2, 1. Keep the two sixes.
- Roll 2
The other dice become 6, 4, 2. Keep the new six.
- Roll 3
You roll the last two dice and get 6, 5.
- Score
Your final dice are 6, 6, 6, 6, 5. Score 29 in Four of a Kind, or 24 in Sixes.
Bonus points
How the 35-point upper bonus works
Add Ones through Sixes. If that subtotal reaches at least 63, add a 35-point bonus. The common benchmark is three of every number: 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 = 63.
Extra five-of-a-kind rolls have their own 100-point bonus and a special scoring sequence. Read the complete bonus and Joker rules before a competitive game.
Quick answers
Common Family Dice questions
How many dice do you use in Family Dice?+
Family Dice uses five standard six-sided dice.
How many rolls do you get in Family Dice?+
You may roll up to three times on each turn. You can stop after the first or second roll if you are happy with your dice.
Do you have to score after every turn?+
Yes. Each turn fills one previously unused category. If the dice do not earn a useful score, you must enter zero in an empty category.
How many rounds are in Family Dice?+
There are 13 turns for each player because the scorecard contains 13 scoring categories.
How do you get the 35-point upper bonus?+
Score at least 63 total points across Ones through Sixes. A practical target is three of each number.
Can you reroll dice that you already kept?+
Yes. Before your third and final roll, you may reroll any dice, including dice you set aside after an earlier roll.
Family Dice uses original wording and artwork for an independent five-dice scorecard. Physical game editions can vary, so use the leaflet supplied with your game when it differs.