The Yahtzee Blog

Welcome to The Yahtzee Blog, your online home for the latest in Yahtzee news, commentary, strategic insights, and more. Serving the Yahtzee proletariat for over ten years, The Yahtzee Blog dishes up the freshest board game propaganda cuts. Our duties as a relentless Yahtzee advocate and proselytizer are supported with generous contributions from the World Yahtzee Institute and readers like you.

Drop us a line and we may feature your letter in our 'Mailbag' column. You can scan all the blog posts at a glance at the The Yahtzee Blog Archive. And remember to subscribe to The Yahtzee Blog today so you never miss a story:

• Creative Self-Expression with Yahtzee

  

  Yahtzee is the rare jewel among tabletop games that makes room for imaginative players to express their creativity. Often unfairly labeled an old-fashioned dry and stuffy pastime, Yahtzee in fact probes the cutting-edge of artistic expression. Break beyond the limits of the Yahtzee rule book and scorepad. Transcend mathematics and probability. Harness nourishing cosmic energies and unleash your inner artist at the Yahtzee table.

• Yahtzee Strategy: Slang and Jargon

  

  Have you ever felt isolated at the Yahtzee table because you didn’t understand the slang or jargon that the other players were using? It’s a more common problem than you may realize. Experts in all specialized fields, not just Yahtzee, use an insider terminology when talking about their craft. Don’t let it put it off your game. Stay in the loop while enhancing your game strategy - learn the most common Yahtzee slang.

• A Ten-Year Yahtzee Retrospective

  

  The Yahtzee Manifesto was created in 2011 to provide useful resources for Yahtzee enthusiasts while spreading the game’s good word to the wider public. A decade later, the world’s most popular dice game continues to expand and our dedication to the mission has never been more steadfast. As we celebrate ten years’ worth of Yahtzee news and propaganda, we take a moment to reflect on the evolution of the game during that time, and what hints can be gleaned about the future of Yahtzee.

• Teach Math with Yahtzee

  

  Most modern tabletop and board games aren’t interested in teaching you anything. That’s where Yahtzee is different. Yahtzee’s number-based gameplay system is the perfect delivery method for teaching math, to both kids and adults of all ages. From basic math skills like matching, counting, and arithmetic to advanced concepts such as probability, statistics, and game theory, Yahtzee is a great addition to the math teacher’s repertoire.

• Yahtzee Variant Games

  

  Yahtzee Turbo, Yahtzee Jr., and Yahtzee Texas Hold ‘Em – they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diversity of Yahtzee gaming. These officially licensed variant games use unique rules, equipment, scoring and gameplay elements to take the familiar game to new and wonderful places. Learn about the original six Yahtzee variation games: Triple Yahtzee, Challenge Yahtzee, Word Yahtzee, Jackpot Yahtzee, Casino Yahtzee, and Showdown Yahtzee.

• Yahtzee Equipment

  

  Five dice, one plastic shaker, and a pencil. It seems so simple, doesn’t it? But in reality, Yahtzee equipment can be as complicated and varied as the game itself. Don’t be caught off guard by custom dice or exotic memorabilia. Embrace the diversity and make the game your own. From the playing surface to backstops, rolling trays, and good luck charms, learn about the intricacies of Yahtzee gaming materiel and show up to the table prepared.

• Origins of Online Yahtzee

  

  The sound of dice careening around a table and celebratory high-fives with friends are the stuff that Yahtzee lovers have always dreamed about. But the game has evolved since its release in 1956. In today’s world, millions of players now prefer the digital dice of online Yahtzee. Yahtzee was one of the world’s earliest video games, owing to its systemic gameplay and general popularity. We explore its jump from the tabletop to the computer screen, where it continues to electrify gamers of the 21st century.

• How to Cheat at Yahtzee

  

  Yahtzee is a game that upholds ideals of fairness, equality, and gameswomanship. Coupled with the pure logic of mathematics, Yahtzee would seem to be impregnable to cheaters or ne'er-do-wells. But don’t be lulled into a false sense of security – those of ill-will can learn how to cheat at Yahtzee. Defend your game against classic cons like sleight-of-hand and misdirection and learn how to spot loaded dice or a fake rolling technique. After all, cheaters never win.

• Yahtzee House Rules

  

  Yahtzee House Rules are changes or updates to the standard rules created at the discretion of a game host. These types of rules can vary by location, or even at the whims of the players. Rule variations are a great way to inject a personal touch of self-expression into a Yahtzee game. Consider popular house rules like the Mega-Yahtzee or Chance-Chance. Just take care not to stray too far from the game’s core mechanics.

• Yahtzee with Pets

  

  Studies have shown that spending quality time with a pet can greatly benefit a person’s mental well-being. But when throwing a stick or tennis ball gets old, invite the family dog inside for a rousing game of Yahtzee. Animals of all sorts, including goats, birds, bees, and toads have been observed using the same math skills required to play Yahtzee. Learn how to make the right accommodations so that you can enjoy playing Yahtzee with your pet or random animal.

• The Fake Toy Hall of Fame

  

  Following a nationwide online vote, the National Toy Hall of Fame inducted three new toys into its hallowed grounds. The class of 2020 includes the childhood classics Baby Nancy, Jenga, and sidewalk chalk. But a disgruntled employee at the World Yahtzee Institute took umbrage that the game of Yahtzee was not among the selections. In the interest of equal time, we share their thoughts in the following unhinged rant.

• How to Care for Your Yahtzee Set

  

  The good folks at Hasbro can churn out a high-quality Yahtzee game that is built to last. But nothing is immune to the ravages of time. Accidents, sabotage, and general decay can all result in a loss of game equipment, archival data, and historical relics. Take steps now to protect your game. We answer letters from our readers with questions about how to care for your Yahtzee set.

• Yahtzee Strategy: The Joker's Gambit

  

  The Yahtzee scoring category is the game's namesake and the only path to sky-high scores. The 100-point Yahtzee Bonus and potential Jokers are jet fuel for your grand totals. But does it ever make sense to roll a Yahtzee and pass it up? The Joker's Gambit is the most famous dilemma in Yahtzee strategy, tempting a player to sacrifice the Yahtzee and end up increasing their total score.

• 16th Annual Yahtzee Tournament

  

  There are many ways to enjoy the world’s most popular dice game. A casual afternoon Yahtzee game with friends is a great way to relax. Countless hours spent playing online Yahtzee games can help to refine a player’s strategy. But there is only one way to access the game’s upper limits of adrenaline surging action - an officially sanctioned tabletop Yahtzee tournament. Rick McCallister shares his experiences at the 16th annual Yahtzee Nation tournament.

• Crimes Against Yahtzee

  

  A Yahtzee crime wave has engulfed the world in recent years. From petty cheating to international smuggling syndicates to violent acts like murder, Yahtzee crime manifests itself is a multitude of ways. The Yahtzee Blog examines the troubling trend and how we can guard against illegal gaming behavior. We answer letters from our readers who have encountered this criminal underbelly in their own games. Learn from their mistakes and protect the integrity of your Yahtzee set.

• Yahtzee and Christmas

  

  Yahtzee and Christmas share a long intertwined history, dating back to their earliest forms over two millennia ago. Today’s holiday tradition of rolling a few games has its roots in the pre-Christian pagan feast day of Saturnalia. A Roman proto-Yahtzee dice game called Tali, or Knucklebones, was a Saturnalia staple. Early Christians fused their ideas onto the existing holiday to create Christmas and some traditions, like throwing dice, remain popular to this day.

• A Very Yahtzee Thanksgiving

  

  Do you have a certain family member who is prone to causing a scene at the Thanksgiving dinner table? You’re not alone. Consider using Yahtzee this year to calm your guests with the meditative sounds of clacking dice. The gentle sounds and soothing gameplay have a natural tendency to ease jangled nerves. But the ethical implications of the historic atrocities inherently linked to Thanksgiving are bound to put people on edge during the festivities. Learn how to deal with simmering tensions over turkey.

• The Yahtzee Playing Surface

  

  Four of out five Yahtzee pros name dice as the most important piece of Yahtzee equipment. But they’re wrong. The playing surface outranks even dice as the one vital foundation to any Yahtzee game. Typically taken for granted by players of all stripes, the humble table is the most common Yahtzee playing surface. Overlook its importance at your peril.

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