Ten Pins Dice Game Rules
Ten Pins is a dice game for 2-6 players. A game typically takes 15-25 minutes, and the recommended age is 6+.
Rules for Ten Pins: Bowling with two dice over ten frames, where 5-5 is a strike and any six rolls off the alley.
Setup
Ten Pins is played with two dice, a sheet of paper and something to write with. Give each player a column divided into ten boxes, one for each frame. The game works for two to six players, and you do not need to know much about bowling to join in.
How to play
The game is played over ten frames, just like real bowling. On your turn you have up to three rolls. After each roll you may leave one or both dice on the table, or roll again. When you stop, or have used all three rolls, the total of the two dice is your score for the frame.
Sixes never count. A six means the ball has rolled off the alley, and that die scores nothing for the throw.
Strikes and spares
Two fives is the best throw in the game:
- Strike: 5-5 on your first roll scores 10 points, plus the result of your last roll in the next frame as a bonus.
- Spare: 5-5 on your second or third roll scores 10 points, plus the result of your first roll in the next frame.
A strike or spare in the tenth frame is worth just the 10 points, since there is no frame after it. If you want it to feel like the bowling alley, agree on one extra roll to settle the bonus.
Winning
After ten frames, each player adds up their scores, and the highest total wins. Keeping the running total frame by frame is good mental arithmetic practice, especially once the strike and spare bonuses come into play.
Similar games
Drop Dead
Roll five dice where twos and fives go dead, and score the most points before every die is gone.
Sevens Out
Roll two dice and keep scoring until a seven ends your turn. The first player to 500 points wins.
Fifty
Only doubles score, double 6 is worth 25 and double 3 wipes your score. The first player to reach 50 points wins.