The popularity of board games has dwindled through the years, thanks to technology in general. However, some left a strong enough mark that they still have a pretty decent following. Such is the case with Yahtzee.

If you were not born in the 70s or 80s at the very latest, you might have yet to hear about Yahtzee. This board game reached its peak popularity in the mid-50s until the mid-70s, when Hasbro, the company that owned its rights, sold 50 million Yahtzee copies annually.

Before counting down the interesting facts about the Yahtzee board game, it would be best to briefly review the rules.

Yahtzee Rules and Gameplay

Yahtzee is one of those games with rules that are easier to grasp in practice than in theory. In short, don’t get overwhelmed with the rules and scoring system; play the game instead, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

Here are the basic rules of Yahtzee:

• Players take turns rolling five dice and scoring based on the various dice combinations thrown.
• A scoring combination can be formed by rolling up to three times. On each throw, you have an option of storing up to four dice until you get the desired combination.
• If you already have a combination, you may also stop rolling after the first or second roll. If you opt to do a third throw, that is the final roll, after which you must tally your score in the Score Sheet. 
• The Score Sheet is divided into an Upper Section and Lower Section. When scoring the Upper Section, tally the sum of the die faces drawn. 
• The Lower Section categories include 3-of-a-kind, 4-of-a-kind, Full House, Small Straight, Large Straight, Yahtzee, and Chance.
• The game is over when all 13 columns for each player have been filled. It’s possible to score ZERO on a field. For instance, if the last unfilled category is a Yahtzee and you can’t get a combination, you have to score ZERO under “Yahtzee.” Add each player’s total points, and declare the highest scorer as the winner.

After learning a little about the rules and gameplay of Yahtzee, try to play with family and friends on your game night. For good measure, why not include the kids and teach them basic arithmetic while you’re at it?

7 Interesting Facts About Yahtzee

1. The first mass production of the Yahtzee games was in 1956. It quickly earned the distinction as the best-selling board and dice game in history.
2. Yahtzee is owned by Hasbro, the same company that produces all-time favorites Monopoly and Scrabble.
3. Yahtzee is the best game for seniors and the elderly to play since it keeps the brain alert, thereby preventing age-related cognitive deterioration. The strategy and decision-making involved in the game teach patience and concentration. Lastly, it helps enrich your life and improve your health because you spend quality time with the people you love.
4. The game is still popular today, with roughly 100 million individuals worldwide playing Yahtzee.
5. The largest possible score in Yahtzee without bonuses is 375 points. If, for some stroke of luck, you’ll achieve multiple bonuses, the scores can exceed 1,000.
6. The oldest Yahtzee variation is Triple Yahtzee. It was developed in 1972.
7. There could be over 12 games related to Yahtzee. Some of these are Challenge Yahtzee, Jackpot Yahtzee, Yahtzee Texas Hold ‘Em, Yahtzee Free for All, and more.

Basic Yahtzee Strategy for Beginners

Yahtzee is a game that’s highly dependent on chance and luck, but there is also a component of skill to the gameplay. Some call it “a game of luck management.” Here are some tips to improve your strategy:

• The 35-point bonus if you reach 63 points on the upper section is much more valuable than a three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, or a full house. For example, if you get four sixes, you’d be better off putting it on the Upper Section than the four-of-a-kind.
• If you rolled a bad combination with low points, sacrifice the Ones section, as it may only give you a maximum of six points.
• Already have a Yahtzee? Take advantage of the opportunity to roll it again, as each extra Yahtzee is worth 100 points.
• Use the Chance box later in the game when high-scoring combinations are harder to come by. 
• Balance is one of the most critical things in Yahtzee. An excellent score on one box and a bad score on the other is almost always inferior to a balanced score from every box. 
• Only score Aces or 2s under the three-of-a-kind and four-of-a-kind boxes because it only offers a minimal score. Record the four Aces or 2s on the Upper Section since it’s more likely to help you reach the 63-point goal plus the 35-point bonus.
• Yahtzees only come once every 22 tries on average. In a really close game, you may be better off sacrificing the Yahtzee box to get a more realistic score somewhere else. 
• Some advocate going for a straight early so you can go for gold later. Look for chances of a small and large straight such as 1-2-3 or 2-3-4 combinations.
• Have fun! Don’t fret about learning every strategy there is. Most players realize these plans of action with repetitions.

Final Thoughts

Some popular and exciting board games get lost in translation in this modern, high-tech world. However, if you want a change of pace and go old school, it is highly recommended that you try playing old board games like Yahtzee. Not only does this game improve the arithmetic skills of youngsters, but it also benefits the cognitive health of the elderly while enhancing everybody’s social abilities. Yahtzee is still being played by 1.25% of the world’s population, but it’s never too late to get that percentage up.