Cho-Han Dice Game Rules
Cho-Han is a dice game for 2-10 players. A game typically takes 5-10 minutes, and the recommended age is 6+.
Rules for Cho-Han: The dealer shakes two dice under a cup, and you bet on whether the total comes up even or odd. Cho-Han is also known as Cho-Han Bakuchi.
Setup
Cho-Han is played with two dice, a cup, and chips or points to bet with. Two or more players can join, and you also need a dealer to shake the dice. The game comes from Japan and was traditionally played for money. At home you use chips and let the dealer role rotate.
How to play
A round is over in less than a minute:
- The dealer shakes the two dice in the cup and turns it upside down on the table, hiding the dice underneath.
- The players bet on cho, meaning even, or han, meaning odd. It is the total of the two dice that counts.
- Once every bet is placed, the dealer lifts the cup and reveals the dice.
Those who guessed right win the same amount as their stake. Those who guessed wrong lose their stake.
Winning
Agree on a number of rounds, and let the dealer role travel around the table so everyone holds it equally often. Whoever has the most chips after the final round wins. Since even and odd totals are exactly equally likely, the game stays completely fair as long as nobody takes a share of the pot.
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