Overall Rules/Regulations
1. Overview
2. History
3. Equipment
4. Rules Of play
5. League Play
6. Tournament Play
7. Team Play
8. Champion's League
9. Etiquette
10. Penalties
11. Cheat Free Scoring
1. Overview
The BHO Yahtzee Organization concerns itself with the game of Yahtzee primarily played in the formats of League, Tournament and Team Championship.
What follows is a standard set of rules as outlined by the BHO.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are playing in any other organization, rules and regulations may differ and should be understood and adhered to accordingly.
2. History
The BHO was established (at least in essence, if not in name) in March 2024. It was the brain child of Christopher Bush, with the help of a consistent core of fellow players. Since March, the number of players involved has grown and will hopefully continue to grow in the future.
The BHO is constantly evolving; since its inception, in addition to League play, Team and Tournament Championships have been added to the roster.
Who knows where the BHO will be in a year from now. Only time will tell...
3. Equipment
All BHO games of Yahtzee require the same equipment:
- 5 standard D6 (six sided) dice.
- A means of scoring. Either a score sheet or a Yahtzee specific scoring app.
- A dice tray with raised edges to contain the dice.
All equipment used must be agreed upon by each player prior to the match. In case of dispute, a suitable alternative must be made available.
4. Rules Of Play
Object of the Game
The object of Yahtzee is to obtain the highest score from throwing 5 dice. The game consists of 13 rounds. In each round, you roll the dice and then score the roll in one of 13 categories. You must score once in each category. The score is determined by a different rule for each category. The game ends once all 13 categories have been scored.
Game Start
Firstly, determine who is to play first. Each player rolls one die in turn. Whoever rolls the highest number starts the game. Play then proceeds clockwise. If there are more than one of the highest number, they roll again until a winner is determined.
Taking a Turn
To start with, roll all the dice. After rolling you can either score the current roll (see below), or re-roll any or all of the dice. You may only roll the dice a total of 3 times. After rolling 3 times you must choose a category to score. You may score the dice at any point in the round, i.e. it doesn't have to be after the 3rd roll.
Scoring
To score your combination of 5 dice, you click one of the 13 boxes, or write it on the scorecard (scoresheet). There are two sections to the score table - the Upper Section and the Lower Section. Once a box has been scored, it cannot be scored again for the rest of the game (except the Yahtzee category), so choose wisely.
Upper Section Scoring
If you score in the upper section of the table, your score is the total of the specified die face. So if you roll: 5-2-5-6-5 and score in the Fives category, your total for the category would be 15, because there are three fives, which are added together. If the One, Three or Four Categories were selected for scoring with this roll, you would score a zero. If placed in the Two or Six category, you would score 2 and 6 respectively.
Bonus
If the total of The Upper Section scores is 63 or more, add a bonus score of 35 points. Note that 63 is the total of three each of 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s and 6s.
Lower Section Scoring
In the lower scores, you score either a set amount, or zero if you don't satisfy the category requirements.
3 and 4 of a Kind
For 3 of a kind you must have at least 3 of the same die faces. You score the total of all the dice. For 4 of a kind you would need 4 die faces the same. You score the total of all the dice.
Small and Large Straight
A Straight is a sequence of consecutive die faces, where a small straight is 4 consecutive faces, and a large straight is 5 consecutive faces. Small straights score 30 and a large 40 points. So if you rolled 2-3-2-5-4 you could score 30 in small straight or 0 in large straight.
Full House
A Full House is where you have 3 of a kind and 2 of a kind. Full Houses score 25 points. i.e. 3-3-2-3-2 would score 25 in the Full House category.
First Yahtzee
A Yahtzee is 5 of a kind and scores 50 points, although you may elect NOT to score it as a yahtzee, instead choosing to take it as a top row score and safegaurd your bonus. You can also place it in your Three Of A Kind and Four Of A Kind.
Additional Yahtzees
If you roll a second Yahtzee in a game, and you scored your first yahtzee in the Yahtzee box, you would score a further bonus 100 points in the yahtzee box. You must also put this roll into another category, as follows;
- If the corresponding Upper section category is not filled then you must score there. i.e. if you rolled 4-4-4-4-4 and the Fours Category is not filled, you must put the score in the Fours category.
- If the corresponding Upper section category is filled you may then put the score anywhere on the Upper Section (scoring zero). In 3 of a Kind, 4 of a Kind, and Chance categories you would score the total of the die faces. For the Small Straight, Large Straight, and Full House categories, you would score 30, 40 and 25 points respectively.
Chance
You can roll anything and be able to put it in the Chance category. You score the total of the die faces.
Scratch or Dump scores
You can score any roll in any category at any time, IF the resulting score is zero. Eg, you can take 2-3-3-4-6 in the 5's category. It will score 0. This could be used near the end of a game to lose a poor roll against a difficult to get category that you've failed to fill (eg, large straight or yahtzee).
5. League Play
The Yahtzee League format is a system of play designed to be played over a number of days/weeks/months with points awarded based on the position you finish at the end of an individual match. See below for a full breakdown.
League Setup
- Any number of players may compete in the league, however, all players must be confirmed before the league begins.
- The number of league matches that take place within the league is up to the individuals involved, but must be agreed upon before the league begins.
- If prize money is being offered, all players must agree upon the amount that each player will contribute to the prize pot before the league begins. Prize money can be distributed based on 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The amount that each position is to recieve must also be agreed upon beforehand.
Play & Scoring
- An individual match in a Yahtzee league is played according to the official rules (see above).
- All players must be present, or played in a timely manner with someone to oversee the match. This must be agreed upon beforehand (or see below for absences).
- Players score league points at the end of a match based on where they are placed in that match. eg. There are ten players in the league. The winner of the match earns 10 points, second place earns 9 points, third place earns 8 points and so on.
- Any player is permitted to be absent for a match, but they will forfeit any points they may have earned during the match. The league as a whole is permitted to postpone a match until all players are available, but this must be agreed upon.
- However, players can play a "split" match, wherein those that can attend play their match and others play theirs at a later time. The scores are then collated after the fact. All players must be in agreement for a split match to proceed. All scores must be collated before the next match can begin.
- Any player is permitted to pull out of the league, but they will forfeit their position in the league, regardless of what stage the league is at. They will also forfeit any contribution to the prize pot they may have made.
- The league will come to an end when the predetermined number of matches have been played. The winner and runners up can then be announced and prize money, if applicable, shared out accordingly.
6. Tournament Play
The Yahtzee Tournament format is a system of play designed to be played over a number of days/weeks/months with points accrued in play contributing to the players grand total. See below for a full breakdown.
Tournament Setup
- Any number of players may compete in a tournament, however, all players must be confirmed before the tournament begins.
- The number of tournament matches that take place is determined by how long it takes to reach the predetermined score. This score must be agreed upon by all players before the tournament commences. See below for more on scoring.
- If prize money is being offered, all players must agree upon the amount that each player will contribute to the prize pot before the tournament begins. Prize money can be distributed based on 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The amount that each position is to recieve must also be agreed upon beforehand.
Play & Scoring
- An individual match in a Yahtzee tournament is played according to the official rules (see above).
- All players must be present or played in a timely manner with someone to oversee the match (or see below for absences) and all players compete in the match together.
- Tournament points are the total number of points from a single game, which are then added to a grand total. The first player to reach the predetermined amount of points (eg. 5000, 10,000 or 15,000 pts) is the winner.
- Any player is permitted to be absent for a match, but they will forfeit any points they may have earned during the match. The players as a whole is permitted to postpone a match until all players are available, but this must be agreed upon.
- Players can play a "split" match, wherein those that can play their match and others play theirs at a later time. The scores are then collated after the fact. All players must be in agreement for a split match to proceed. All scores must be collated before the next match can begin.
- Any player is permitted to pull out of the tournament, but they will forfeit their position in the tournament, regardless of what stage the tournament is at. They will also forfeit any contribution to the prize pot they may have made.
- The Tournament will come to an end when the predetermined score has been reached. If this score is reached by more than one player at the same time, the player with the highest total is the winner. The winner and runners up can then be announced and prize money shared out accordingly.
7. Team Play
The Yahtzee Team format is a system of play designed to be played over a number of days/weeks/months with points accrued in play contributing to the team's grand total. See below for a full breakdown.
Team Setup
- Any number of teams may compete in a Team Tournament, however, all teams must be confirmed before the tournament begins.
-An individual team may comprise of 2 to 4 players.
- The number of tournament matches that take place is determined by how long it takes to reach the predetermined score. This score must be agreed upon by all teams before the tournament commences. See below for more on scoring.
- If prize money is being offered, all teams must agree upon the amount that each teams will contribute to the prize pot before the tournament begins. Prize money can be distributed based on 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The amount that each position is to recieve must also be agreed upon beforehand.
Play & Scoring
- An individual match in a Yahtzee Team Tournament is played according to the official rules (see above).
- At least one representative from all teams must be present to compete in the team match (or see below for absences). Only one member of each team plays a match at a time.
- Each member of a team must play consecutively in an order predetermined before the tournament commences.
- Two individual matches played by different members of each team constitutes one complete Team match.
- Tournament points are the total number of points from a single game, which are then added to a grand total. The first team to reach the predetermined amount of points (eg. 5000, 10,000 or 15,000 pts) is the winner.
- Any team is permitted to be absent for a match, but they will forfeit any points they may have earned during the match. The collective teams as a whole are permitted to postpone a match until all teams are available, but this must be agreed upon.
- Any team is permitted to pull out of the tournament, but they will forfeit their position in the tournament, regardless of what stage the tournament is at. They will also forfeit any contribution to the prize pot they may have made.
- The Tournament will come to an end when the predetermined score has been reached. If this score is reached by more than one team at the same time, the team with the highest total is the winner. The winner and runners up can then be announced and prize money shared out accordingly.
8. Champion's League
The Yahtzee League format is a system of play designed to be played over a number of days/weeks/months with points awarded based on the position you finish at the end of an individual match. See below for a full breakdown.
Champion's League Setup
- This tournament is designed for four players. The top four finishers of the normal League.
-If for whatever reason one of the top four is unavailable, the fifth place player will be invited, and so on down the list. Three players is acceptable if a fourth cannot be found.
- The number of league matches that take place within the league is up to the individuals involved, but must be agreed upon before the league begins.
- If prize money is being offered, all players must agree upon the amount that each player will contribute to the prize pot before the league begins. Prize money can be distributed based on 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. The amount that each position is to recieve must also be agreed upon beforehand.
Play & Scoring
- An individual match in a Yahtzee Champion's league is played according to the official rules (see above).
- All players must be present, or played in a timely manner with someone to oversee the match. This must be agreed upon beforehand (or see below for absences).
- Players score league points at the end of a match based on where they are placed in that match. eg. There are ten players in the league. The winner of the match earns 10 points, second place earns 9 points, third place earns 8 points and so on.
- Any player is permitted to be absent for a match, but they will forfeit any points they may have earned during the match. The league as a whole is permitted to postpone a match until all players are available, but this must be agreed upon.
- However, players can play a "split" match, wherein those that can attend play their match and others play theirs at a later time. The scores are then collated after the fact. All players must be in agreement for a split match to proceed. All scores must be collated before the next match can begin.
- Any player is permitted to pull out of the league, but they will forfeit their position in the league, regardless of what stage the league is at. They will also forfeit any contribution to the prize pot they may have made.
- The league will come to an end when the predetermined number of matches have been played. The winner and runners up can then be announced and prize money, if applicable, shared out accordingly.
9. Etiquette
Sportsmanship and fair play, as in all competitive ventures, are integral to the game of Yahtzee. What follows is a list of guidelines to ensure all leagues and tournaments are played smoothly and fairly.
- All 5 dice must be rolled at the same time.
- The dice must be rolled adequately and not dropped to avoid ambiguity.
- Dice that are to be kept aside should be placed against the wall of the dice board to avoid being hit by the next roll.
- If a die/dice should leave the playing surface, it/they must be re-rolled.
- No player, other than the player who has the dice, should interfere with the dice in play.
- Players should not offer advice to the player in control of the dice.
- Players must be afforded the adequate time to take their turn. Conversely, a player should not procrastinate while taking their turn.
- Conversation and banter are part of what makes Yahtzee fun, but players not in control of the dice should be mindful of distractions to other players.
- Should a player leave the table for any reason, the player in control of the dice should wait until all players have returned to take their turn.
- Regardless of whether a Yahtzee match is scored on paper or on an app, any player has the right to view any other players score and this must be respected.
10. Penalties
In rare circumstances, incidents may occur during a match that cannot be ignored and must be addressed. Below are a few examples and how these incidents should be resolved.
Cheating
If any player is caught cheating, a warning must be issued. In the case of a secondary offence, disqualification and a forfeit of any contribution to prize money should be observed.
PLEASE NOTE: All accusations of cheating should be taken seriously, and must be dealt with democratically. Any player that is found to be accusing others of cheating purposefully must be subject to the same penalties.
Abuse/Bullying
We are all playing Yahtzee to have fun. Banter is encouraged between those that know how far to take a joke. However, any player found to be offensive for the sole purpose of upsetting other players, or hoping to gain a competitive advantage due to such must be disqualified and forfeit any contribution to prize money.
Lack Of Knowledge
It is the duty of those that are familiar with the rules and regulations of Yahtzee to ensure that any newcomers are familiar with the game before a league or tournament commences. However, if that player continues to play incorrectly, they must be removed from the league/tournament, refunded their contribution and encouraged to gain a proper grasp of the game. They should then be automatically invited to participate in the next league/tournement.
PLEASE NOTE: If all other players are in agreement, further tuition can be given in-game.
10. Cheat Free Scoring
In an ideal world there would be an independent referee to score matches, but in most cases this is not practical.
In general, players are usually in charge of marking their own scores. However, this can lead to foul play. An alternative is to have the player to your left mark the scores that the player with the dice has announced. This allows the other player to check the score and ensure fair play.
PLEASE NOTE: The player with the dice is still free to analyse their own scores. Be sure that the score is agreed upon by both players before the score is entered.
Revision: B
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