10,000 is a fun game for the whole family; the aim is to score 10,000 points by obtaining winning combinations by rolling 6 dice. Six dice, paper, pen and at least two players are enough to play. When it's your turn, roll the dice and make winning combinations that earn you points, such as three of a kind, straights or even 1's and 5. Score all players' scores after each roll and find out who will be the lucky winner.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Play
Step 1. Decide who starts by asking everyone to roll a die if you wish
This method works best with 6 or fewer players. Give each one a die, who must roll it. Whoever rolls the highest number starts and the game continues clockwise.
- If you play more than 6, you will randomly choose who will go first.
- If two players roll the same higher number, they must roll again.
Step 2. When it's your turn, roll all 6 dice
If you are the first to play or when it is your turn, take all the dice and gently shake them in your hands before throwing them. Try to do this on a flat surface so that it is easier to retrieve them and calculate the score.
Step 3. Learn to recognize scoring dice, such as 1's, 5's, and three of a kind
The only numbers that give points when you only get one or two are 1s and 5s, 100 and 50 points respectively. Three of a kind are worth 100 times the number on the dice, with the exception of three 1s, which are worth 1,000 points. This score doubles for any dice with the same figure beyond the third.
- For example, if you roll 2, 1, 4, 1, 6, 5, your score is 250, because you rolled two 1s and a 5.
- Three 2's are worth 200 points, three 3 300 points, and so on. Three 1's is the only combination that doesn't follow this rule and is worth more than the others, 1,000 points.
- If you get three 2s you earn 200 points, four 2s are worth 400, five 2 800 and six 2 1,600. For a three of a kind to be valid, you must get it in one throw.
Step 4. Score 1,500 points on a straight or 3 pairs
The scale consists of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and is worth 1,500 points. You get the same score even if you roll 3 pairs of dice in a single roll.
- For example, if you rolled two 3s, two 5s, and two 6s, you have 1,500 points.
- Some people use the rule that the low straight (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is worth 1,250 points, while the high straight (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is worth 50 points.
- If you get four of a kind and a pair with one roll, you get 1,500 points.
Step 5. Look for winning combinations and set aside at least one die
The scoring dice include the 1's, 5's, three of a kind, and the other combinations described above. If you have rolled 1 or more dice that allow you to score points, set them aside. To continue rolling you must remove at least one die, but if you wish you can set aside all those who give points.
You will no longer be able to roll the dice you set aside this turn, which will count towards your score
Step 6. Earn at least 750 points in the first round to enter "the board"
Getting that score is the requirement to enter the game. If you did not score 750 points on your first turn, you must wait for it to be your turn again and try again.
- For example, if you roll as many dice as possible during your turn, but only manage to score 450 points, that's not enough to validate your score and you'll have to start over when it's your turn again.
- All players must earn 750 points on their turn before they can start counting their score.
- Players need to earn 750 points in their first round only. In subsequent ones, they can accumulate the points they want.
Step 7. End the turn if you have not rolled any dice that give points
If you rolled singles or pairs of 2, 3, 4 or 6, you score no points this round. This rule also applies if you have set aside dice and are rolling five or less. Once non-scoring dice are rolled, the total score for the round is reset and the hand passes to the next player.
For example, if you set aside three 2s on the first roll, then get the combination 2, 4, 6, your last roll is worth zero, so the points you earned on the first roll are also canceled out
Step 8. Keep rolling until you are satisfied with your score or until you get a combination that is worthless
Keep rolling the remaining dice and setting aside at least one that scores points on each roll. The first player's turn ends when he decides to confirm his score or rolls dice that give no points.
- For example, if you rolled three 6s on your first roll, you can set them aside for 600 points. Imagine you roll a 1, a 5, and a 4 by rolling the other 3 dice again. Your total thus reaches 750 points. You can settle for this score or roll the last die again to try to score more points (although it is very risky).
- If you have set aside four dice that earn you points and decide to roll the two that remain, but you roll a 4 and a 6, your total score for the turn is 0, because you didn't score any points with your last roll and the your turn ends immediately.
- If you set all 6 dice aside, you can roll them again and continue scoring.
Step 9. Calculate your score and pass the dice to the next player
Everyone can calculate their own score or you can assign a single participant to score everyone's points on a sheet of paper. Once you have scored your turn, pass the dice to the player on your left and continue the game.
If you scored 800 points in your first round and 450 in the next, you have scored 1,250 points and you will continue to add points to that figure each round
Part 2 of 2: Using Strategy to Win
Step 1. Choose which dice to put away to use more in the next roll
If you have rolled more dice that give points, it is not mandatory to put them all aside. Many players prefer to roll as many dice as possible, in order to have a higher chance of getting high scoring combinations.
For example, if you rolled two 1s and a 5, you can decide to roll the 5 to increase the odds of hitting three of a kind or four of a kind
Step 2. Avoid taking risks by accepting a good score
In some cases it is wise to stay in an advantageous position; if you get a combination that gives points and you are satisfied with your score, do not roll the remaining dice and add the points to your total, so as not to risk losing them.
Remember, it is not necessary to keep rolling even when you have other dice available
Step 3. Keep shooting if you have a big advantage
If losing your potential points doesn't worry you, you can take risks and keep rolling to see what you get. If you continue to roll and you have 4 or 5 dice that give you points, it is a good time to stop and keep the score.
Rolling the sixth die alone is risky, so only do it if you're feeling very lucky or don't mind losing points
Step 4. Win the game by earning at least 10,000 points before the other players
When a player reaches 10,000 points, everyone else has a turn to catch up. If no one else reaches that figure, the player who has reached 10,000 wins. On the other hand, if someone else exceeds 10,000, the person with the most points wins.
Some people use the rule that you need to reach exactly 10,000 points to win, but it is not mandatory to follow it
Advice
- It is possible to play 10,000 as many participants as you like, but the funniest games are those of 2-6 players.
- To shorten the game, you can get to 5,000 points.
- Some people use the variant that hitting the same number on all six dice allows you to win the game right away.
- Only count winning combinations if they are hit with a single toss. This means that you cannot count specific dice from multiple rolls to form a combination.
