Yahtzee is the trademarked name of a popular dice game made by Milton Bradley (now owned by Hasbro). The object of the game is to score points by rolling certain combinations of numbers with five dice. The player must roll at least three of a kind of all six die face values (or an equal to or greater score of other combinations so that the total is at least 63 points) to achieve a bonus, and must further attain certain Poker hands such as four of a kind, full house, and straight. A Yahtzee is five of a kind.

Overview of the Rules

1961 Yahtzee Game Instructions

The Yahtzee scorecard contains thirteen boxes divided between two sections: The Upper Section and The Lower Section

Upper Section

In the upper section, each box is scored by summing the total number of die faces matching that box and multiplying them by the box number. For example if a player were to roll four "twos", the score would be recorded as 8 in the twos box (4 x 2). The player attempts to obtain at least a three-of-a-kind for each of the six die faces (for a total of 63 points).If this point total is achieved or exceeded, the player receives a bonus of 35 points for the upper section..

Lower Section

The lower section contains a number of poker-themed combinations with specific point values { three-of-a-kind (sum all dice), Four-of-a-Kind (sum all dice) , full house 25pts, small straight 30pts, large straight 40pts, five-of-a-kind (Yahtzee) 50pts, and chance (sum all dice) }. Chance acts as discard box for a turn that will not fit in another category.

Game Play

On each turn, a player gets three rolls of the dice out of the cup. He or she can save any dice that are wanted to complete a combination and then re-roll the other dice. After the third roll, the player must find a place to put the score. If the resulting combination of dice will not fit in any unused scoring category, the player must place a "zero" in one of the unused boxes.

Yahtzees and bonus chips

Evolution of the Yahtzee logo over time.

A Yahtzee occurs when all five dice have the same value during a player's turn. Yahtzee is the most difficult combination to throw in a game and has the high score of 50 points. If a player scores one or more additional yahtzees during the same game, that player is awarded bonus points and given bonus chips that correspond to each additional Yahtzee that a player rolls. Bonus yahtzees are worth 100 points each. Bonus chips are only awarded for subsequent Yahtzees if the first Yahtzee was placed in the 50pt Yahtzee score box in the lower section. Additional Yahtzees may be used as jokers in the lower section provided that the corresponding upper section box has been filled. For example, if a player rolled out five threes (a Yahtzee in the threes), the player could only use it as a joker in the lower section if he or she already had a score in the "threes" box in the upper section. If the "threes" box was still open, the player must score 15 in the threes (sum of five threes). (The original game rules released in 1956 contain a discrepancy in this rule. The booklet states that additional Yahtzees must be used as Jokers in the lower section and does not allow for their use in the upper section. However, the booklet also declares the highest possible score as 375 which would require the placement of Yahtzees in the upper section. This problem was corrected when the game was re-copyrighted in 1961.)

The each player's total score is calculated by summing all thirteen score boxes. The maximum raw score (without Yahtzee bonus scoring) is 375.

Game Played Solitaire

Yahtzee may also be played solitaire with the player attempting to reach the maximum possible score of 375. This form of this game has been solved by computer analysis. The computer program can tell the player what score choice to make for any possible configuration of the dice and for any possible partially filled score card. The program maximizes the possible player score. Computer programs, however, have not solved the game as it is played against other players.

History

Original E.S. Lowe Yahtzee game from 1956.(Click on image to enlarge.)

The overall concept of Yahtzee traces its roots to a number of traditional dice games. One is the English game of Poker Dice and another is the Puerto Rican game Generala played with five dice and categories like poker hands and triples or quads.

According to Hasbro, the game was invented in 1954 by an anonymous Canadian couple, and called "The Yacht Game" because they played it on their yacht with their friends. Two years later they asked toy and game entrepreneur Edwin S. Lowe if he would make up some sets to be given as gifts to their friends who enjoyed the game. Lowe perceived the possibility of marketing the game, and acquired the rights to the game from the couple in exchange for 1,000 gift sets. This story is repeated by E.S. Lowe in the 1973 book A Toy is Born.

Lowe changed the name to "Yahtzee" and filed it as a trademark with the U.S. Patent Office on April 19, 1956. The first commercial usage of the name Yahtzee was a few weeks earlier on April 3. Lowe classified his product as a "Poker Dice Game".

He initially had trouble selling the game commercially, since the rules and appeal were not easily conveyed in an advertisement. Eventually he had the idea of organizing "Yahtzee parties" where people could play the game and thereby gain a firsthand appreciation for it. The idea was successful, and enthusiasts quickly popularized the game through word of mouth. Between 1956 and 1961, the game's advertising slogan was changed from:

The Game That Makes You THINK While Having FUN to

The FUN Game That Makes THINKING fun!

The game and its contents were copyrighted by E.S. Lowe in 1956, 1961, 1967, and 1972. In 1973, Milton Bradley purchased the E.S. Lowe Company and assumed the rights to produce and sell Yahtzee. During Lowe's ownership over 40 million Yahtzee games were sold in America and around the globe. The game has maintained its populatrity. According to current owner Hasbro, fifty million Yahtzee games are sold each year.

Over time, the Yahtzee logo has taken several forms. The original version of the Logo was used throughout the entire period that the game was produced solely by the E.S. Lowe company. After 1973, the logo changed various times. This logo is found on the scorecards and the game boxes. (See image of the logos in the "Rules" section above)

Evolution of the Game Packaging

1961 Yahtzee Deluxe Edition with scorepad covers, leather dice cup, and black leather-grain box.

Over the time period from the first sale in 1956 to the present day, many changes have been made to the packaging and contents of the game. This is a brief overview of the evolution of the packaging from 1956 to 1982. The dates here denote the latest copyright date on each version of the game. Often the latest copyright date is only stated on the instruction booklet, not on the box. All boxes prior to 1973 only have the original copyright date of 1956. (note: This is not necessarily a comprehensive list of all possible combinations. This lists the most common varieties; other combinations of specific game parts may have been sold.)

Deluxe edition games have also been sold since the early 1960's. These editions will not be explored in detail, but will be briefly discussed here. The 1961 and 1967 deluxe editions appear more or less like the illustration on the left. The deluxe edition was sold in the early 1970's with a thin molded plastic packaging around the dice and chips. A 1997 Deluxe Yahtzee was sold and has a leather padded cup, a padded dice tray, and glitter-filled transparent dice. A deluxe edition folio is currently sold. These games represent a more expensive alternative to the ever-popular standard Yahtzee game.

==1956== (pictured above)

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “It makes you think while having fun.” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The underside of the box is blank tan cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with folded cardboard parts holding the dice and chips.

Dice: Five transparent red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown imitation leather-paper cup with an upper and lower metal rim, no identifying label.

Instruction Manual: Yellow manual “How to play Yahtzee” with professor logo beneath and the phrase “The game that makes you think while having fun.” Copyrighted 1956

1961

Cup, dice, pencil, and scorecard from 1961 Yahtzee Game

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The underside of the box is blank tan cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with folded cardboard parts holding the dice and chips.

Dice:Five transparent red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown imitation leather-paper cup with an upper and lower metal rim. On the cup is a rectangular sticker with the word “Yahtzee” , the professor logo, and the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!”

Instruction Manual: Yellow manual “How to play Yahtzee” with professor logo beneath and the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Copyrighted 1956, 1961

1967

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The underside of the box is blank tan cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with folded cardboard parts holding the dice and chips.

Dice:Five opaque red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Instruction Manual: Yellow manual with thick red central stripe. It is entitled “How to play Yahtzee” with professor logo beneath and the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Copyrighted 1956, 1961, 1967

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The E.S. Lowe logo is in the upper left hand corner and “for ages 8 to adult” is printed on the lower right hand corner. The underside of the box is black cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice, chips, and pencils.

Dice:Five opaque red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown imitation leather-paper cup with a lower metal rim. The upper rim is not reinforced. On the cup is a rectangular sticker with the word “Yahtzee” , the professor logo, and the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!”

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The E.S. Lowe logo is in the upper left hand corner and “for ages 8 to adult” is printed on the lower right hand corner. The underside of the box is black cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice, chips, and pencils.

Dice:Five opaque red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown printed paper cup with a lower metal rim. The upper rim is not reinforced. The cup is printed to look like leather and has the word “Yahtzee”, the professor logo, and the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun” within a red football-shaped area.

1972

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The E.S. Lowe logo is in the upper left hand corner and “for ages 8 to adult” is printed on the lower right hand corner. The underside of the box is black cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice, chips, and pencils.

Dice:Five opaque red dice with white dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown molded plastic cup. The has a sticker with the word “Yahtzee”, the professor logo, and the E.S. Lowe logo.

Box: Rectangular box with the word “Yahtzee” in the center, professor logo on the right, and a cup with rolling dice on the lower part. The upper left-hand corner of the box has the phrase “The fun game that makes thinking fun!” Beneath the large word “Yahtzee” are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance” and “Fun for the entire family!” The E.S. Lowe logo is in the upper left hand corner and “for ages 8 to adult” is printed on the lower right hand corner. The underside of the box is black cardboard. The contents are housed in a green cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice and chips.

Dice:Five opaque white dice with black dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Brown molded plastic cup. The cup has a red and yellow sticker with the word “Yahtzee”, the professor logo, and the E.S. Lowe logo.

1973

1973 Milton Bradley Yahtzee Game

Box: Rectangular box, smaller than before. Box top is predominately yellow with large black football-shaped logo with the word Yahtzee. Below that logo are the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance; fun for the entire family.” Below is a drawing of dice, chips, a cup, a score pad, and pencils. E.S. Lowe and Milton Bradley logos are printed in the lower left hand corner. The underside of the box is blue cardboard. The contents are housed in a light-blue cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice, chips, and pencils.

Dice:Five opaque white dice with black dots

Pencils: Two short yellow pencils

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with professor logo in the upper left hand corner

Cup: Blue molded plastic cup. The cup has a red and yellow sticker with the word “Yahtzee.”

1978

Box: Rectangular box, same size as 1973. On the box top is a photo of a hand rolling dice over chips and a scorecard in front of a tan background. The word “Yahtzee” is overlaid on the photo along with the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance; fun for the entire family.” The bottom of the box is white cardboard. The contents are housed in a light-blue cardboard holder with a molded piece of thin clear plastic holding the dice and chips.

Dice: Five opaque white dice with black dots

Pencils: none provided

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with the word “Yahtzee” printed in the upper left hand corner. The Yahtzee logo is now a black flat sided oval with the word “Yahtzee” in white in the same font as on all previous logos.

Cup: Blue molded plastic cup. The cup has a red and yellow sticker with the word “Yahtzee.”

Instruction Manual: Manual with the same photo as on the box top. It is entitled “Yahtzee Instructions”

1980

Box: Rectangular box, same size as 1973. On the box top is a photo of a hand rolling dice over chips and a scorecard in front of a red background. The word “Yahtzee” is overlaid on the photo along with the phrases “An exciting game of skill and chance; fun for the entire family.” The word “Yahtzee” is now in a different font. The letters are angular instead of calligraphic. The bottom of the box is white cardboard. The contents are housed in a light-blue cardboard holder with a plastic bag holding the dice and chips.

Dice: Five opaque white dice with black dots

Pencils: none provided

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with the word “Yahtzee” printed in the upper left hand corner in the same angular font as is pictured on the front cover.

Cup: Blue molded plastic cup. The cup has no sticker.

Instruction Manual: Manual is the same as in 1978.

1982

Box: Rectangular box, same size as 1973. On the box top is a photo of a hand rolling dice over chips and a scorecard in front of a red background. The word “Yahtzee” is printed at an angle above the photo with the phrases “Great shakes it’s yahtzee!, your favorite game of luck and strategy. The word “Yahtzee” is again in a different font. The letters are plain instead of angular and the “Y” is larger than the rest of the letters. The bottom of the box is white cardboard. The contents are housed in a yellow cardboard holder with a plastic bag holding the dice and chips.

Dice: Five opaque white dice with black dots

Pencils: none provided

Chips: Twenty chips, ten red and ten yellow

Score Pad: Score pad printed in black and white with the word “Yahtzee” printed in the upper left hand corner in the same font as is pictured on the front cover.

Cup: Red ridged plastic cup. The cup has no sticker.

Instruction Manual: Manual is printed in maroon and white with a picture of dice being rolled out of the cup. It is entitled “Yahtzee Instructions.”

Related Games

1974 Challenge Yahtzee with Jack Klugman and Tony Randall

A number of related games under the Yahtzee brand have been produced. These include: Triple Yahtzee (1972), Word Yahtzee (1978), Challenge Yahtzee (1974), Casino Yahtzee (1986), Jackpot Yahtzee (1980), Showdown Yahtzee (1991), Yahtzee Texas Holdem' (2005), and Yahtzee Deluxe Poker (2005). Various Deluxe Edition Yahtzee games have been sold since the early 1960's, and a 40th anniversary edition was produced in 1996. A CD-rom computer version was first released in 1996. A version of Travel Yahtzee was also released as part of Milton Bradley's line of travel games. There are also several electronic versions of the game such as a handheld LCD version, and a cell phone version called Yahtzee Deluxe, which features the original rules along with several other modes.

The 1970s TV game show Spin-Off was based on the game. Another, similarly short-lived, TV game show adaptation, Yahtzee (Game show), was syndicated to local stations during the 1987 season.

Other

Yahtzee sets are commonly used as a source of six-sided dice for other games. This is commonly seen among non-yahtzee playing role-playing gamers

External links

Categories: Dice games

Gambling Guide

Yahtzee

Contents

Overview of the Rules

Upper Section

Lower Section

Game Play

Yahtzees and bonus chips

Game Played Solitaire

History

Evolution of the Game Packaging

1961

1967

1972

1973

1978

1980

1982

Related Games

Other

External links


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