Threes Dice Game Rules

Threes is a dice game for 2-8 players. A game typically takes 10-20 minutes, and the recommended age is 7+.

Rules for Threes: Set at least one die aside per roll and chase the lowest possible total, where every three counts as zero. Threes is also known as Tripps.

2-8 players
10-20 minutes
7+ years
5 dice

Setup

Threes is played with five dice and suits two players and up. The game is also known as Tripps and is traditionally a stakes game: everyone antes a chip into the pot before the round. The goal is the lowest possible total, and threes are the key: they count zero.

How to play

On your turn you roll all five dice. After each roll you must set at least one die aside, of your own choosing. Dice you set aside are locked for the rest of your turn. Then you reroll the rest, continuing until all five dice are set.

A turn therefore takes at most five rolls, and you constantly weigh the same question: lock a low die now, or roll on and hope for threes?

Illustration for Threes: How to play

Scoring

When all five dice are set, add them up:

  • Threes count zero.
  • Every other die counts face value.

The roll 3-3-1-2-4 is worth 7 points. The perfect result is five threes, worth zero.

Winning

Each player takes a turn, and the lowest total wins the round and the pot. On a tie the pot is split, or the tied players roll another round for it. Play until someone has won an agreed number of rounds.

Similar games