Farkle Official Rules
Yes, Farkle does rule!
Number of Players
Anywhere from 2 or more players, making Farkle the ideal family and friend game.
In a Nutshell
Farkle is a game of chance and strategy where two or more players roll six dice which earn points. The goal is to be the player with 10,000 or more points on the final turn.
- Each player starts their turn by rolling six dice.
- After rolling, the player sets aside specific dice combinations which have a score value.
- The player can either bank the points earned that turn to their total points and pass the dice to the next player or risk the points earned that turn and roll the remaining dice again, hoping to earn more points.
- If the remaining dice rolled do not have a scoring combination, then the player has “FARKLED” and points earned that turn are gone forever.
- If the player has successfully, with some luck and strategy, used all six dice to score, then the player gets to roll all six dice again for a chance to earn more points. This “hot dice” move can be repeated over and over.
- When the player has either banked their points or Farkled, the dice are passed to the next player.
- The next player rolls all six dice. Play continues until it is your turn again.
- To win at Farkle you must be the player with the highest score above 10,000 points on the final round of play.
The following combinations can be scored:
- a singe dice showing a 1 or a 5 (see image above)
- three of a kind, such as, 2 2 2 (see image above)
- three pairs, 3 3, 5 5, 6 6 for example (see image below)
- a six-dice straight, 1 2 3 4 5 6
You must select at least one scoring die after each roll. After you select the dice you want to keep you can either risk all the points earned this turn and roll the remaining dice (the fewer dice you roll the greater the chance you will Farkle, see Farkle Odds) or bank those hard earned points on your way to 10,000+ points.
When 10,000 or more points are scored, that player goes out. Each player gets one more turn to beat the high score (this rule varies by families and friends).
Scoring Per Roll
Scoring is based on selected dice in each roll. You cannot earn points by combining dice from different rolls. For example, if you roll a 5, 5 (50, 50 points each for a total of 100 points) and then roll another 5 (50 points), you can’t combine the 5, 5 with the 5, to form three of a kind ( which is 500 points). (See image below) Our iOS and Android apps puts a bar between the each roll to remind you of this rule.
If none of your dice rolled earn points, you get a Farkle and lose any earned points that round. Warning! Three Farkles in a row and you lose 1,000 points. Ouch!
Scoring Chart
The 1 and 5 spot dice are super special, as they are the only dice that can be scored outside of a combination (such as three of a kind).
- A 1 earns 100 points
- A 5 earns 50 points
- Three of kind earn the face value times 100, e.g., 2, 2, 2 = 200 points
- Three 1s are special and earn 1,000 points
- Three Pairs is worth 750 points
- A straight earns 1,000 points
An Example Round
- Your first rolls show 1, 2, 3, 3, 5, and 6.
- You keep the 1 (100 points) and the 5 (50 points) for 150 points.
- You then opt to roll the remaining four dice.
- On that roll, you get 2, 2, 2, and 6.
- You select the three of a kind (2, 2, 2) for 200 points and decide to bank your 350 points (150 plus 200).
The final round starts as soon as any player reaches 10,000 or more points.
Gameplay Variations
Farkle is a very old game and is played throughout the world. Rules vary by country, by states, even within families. The official rules above are the most common but here are a few scoring and fun game play variations.
- Break In Score – A minimal score needed to get on the board. You must keep rolling until that amount is reached, such as 300 points.
- Three Pairs – Some players do not allow three pairs to score, while others score it as 500, 750 or 1,500 points.
- Triple Farkle – Usually 1,000 points are deducted (ouch) but some players only deduct 500 points, while others deduct zero, especially when playing with children.
- Three Aces Score – Although the classic is to score 1,000 big points, others will simply score it as 100 points.
- Must Roll Again: If all Six Dice Scored – AKA Hot Dice; If you select all the dice you must roll again.
- 4 of a Kind – Take the score of three of a kind and multiply it by 2.
- 5 of a Kind – Take the score of three of a kind and multiply it by 3.
- 6 of a Kind – Take the score of three of a kind and multiply it by 4.
- Straight Score – Points scores vary from 1,000 to 1,500.
- Play to 5,000 – Instead of 10,000 points you can play a quick game to 5,000 or for a longer game play to 20,000.
- Two Triples – Score 2500 points instead of the values of both triples
- Piggybacking or High-Stakes – Instead of rolling six dice you can choose to roll the remaining dice of the previous players. For example, the previous player may have rolled, 5, 5, 5 and banks 500 points. You can choose to roll the remaining three dice and if those dice score then you get 500 points plus the amount you rolled. This rule will completely change the risk taking behavior of the game because the player now needs to think about their and the next players risk tolerance.
FREE Farkle Dice Scoresheet with Scoring Options
Need a quick and easy scoring sheet with rules and variations?
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