How to keep score in Farkle

In Farkle you roll six dice, set aside the ones that score, and choose to bank your points or roll on. A roll with nothing that scores is a farkle, and you lose that turn's points. When someone reaches 10,000, everyone else gets one last turn, and the highest total wins.

At a glance

• Players: 2 or more

• Who wins: Highest total once someone reaches 10,000

• Dice: Six, rolled as often as you dare

• Opening: 500 in one turn to get on the board

Farkle scoring chart

Only dice from the same roll make a combination. After every roll, set aside at least one scoring die or combination.

A single 2, 3, 4 or 6 scores nothing. Those numbers only count in a combination.

This is the chart in the boxed Farkle game, with one change: the box scores three 1s as 300, while the traditional rules count them as 1,000. Agree which you play before the first roll.

Rolling, banking and hot dice

On your turn, roll all six dice. Set aside at least one scoring die or combination, then either bank your turn total or roll the dice that are left. Keep going as long as every roll scores.

If a roll has nothing that scores, that's a farkle. You lose everything you built up that turn, and the dice pass on. Points you banked on earlier turns are safe.

If all six dice have scored, you have hot dice: pick up all six and roll again, adding to the same turn total.

Getting on the board and winning

You need 500 in a single turn before you can bank for the first time. Until then, you have to keep rolling. After that, bank any amount you like.

When someone banks 10,000 or more, every other player gets one last turn to beat that total. The highest score wins.

Variants that change the score

Farkle is played differently from table to table, so settle these before you start.

• Three 1s at 300: the boxed game's rule, instead of 1,000.

• Doubling for four, five and six of a kind: each extra die doubles the three of a kind. Four 4s are 800, five 4s 1,600 and six 4s 3,200.

• Straights and pairs: some tables score a straight at 1,000, 2,500 or 3,000, and three pairs at 750.

• A different opening: 1,000 to get on the board, or a minimum such as 350 every turn.

• Three farkles in a row: some tables take 500 off your score.

Is Farkle the same as 10,000?

Yes. 10,000 (Ten Thousand, or Dix Mille) is another name for Farkle, and so are Zilch, Greed and Hot Dice. The idea is the same everywhere; the scoring chart is what changes from table to table.

5,000 is the shorter game, played to 5,000. Some tables play it with five dice, which rules out three pairs.

A scoring example

Three players, three turns each. The table shows what each player banked on each turn.

Turn 1: Ana banked three 5s and a 1 (500 + 100). Ben had 350, short of the 500 he needed to bank a first score, so he rolled on and farkled. Cleo rolled three pairs for 1,500, which used all six dice, so she had hot dice, rolled again and added a 1 and a 5 for 1,650.

Turn 2: Ben banked three 6s, a 1 and a 5 (600 + 100 + 50). Turn 3: Ana rolled a straight for 1,500. Everyone is a long way from 10,000, so the game goes on.

Keep score in Tallynight

Farkle is set up for you: a running score, highest wins, to 10,000. Tap + to add 50, 100 or 500 at a time, or tap a total to type a whole turn's points.

When someone passes 10,000, Tallynight offers to end the game. Give everyone their last turn first, then decide.

• Points per tap of 50, 100 or 500

• Whose turn it is, so nobody rolls twice

• Undo, and a scoring log to fix any turn

• Offers to end the game at 10,000, and you decide when

• Get Tallynight on the App Store: free, no ads.

• Print a Farkle score sheet if you'd rather keep score on paper.

Questions

How much is a straight in Farkle?

1,500 for 1 2 3 4 5 6 in a single roll. Some tables pay 1,000, 2,500 or 3,000, so agree before you play.

How much are three pairs worth in Farkle?

1,500. Three pairs use all six dice, so you also have hot dice and can roll all six again. Some tables score them at 750.

How many points is four of a kind in Farkle?

1,000 in the boxed rules, whatever the number. Some tables double the three of a kind instead, so four 3s are 600 and four 6s are 1,200.

How many points do you need to get on the board in Farkle?

500 in a single turn. Until you've banked that once, you have to keep rolling. Some tables ask for 1,000.

Is Farkle the same as 10,000 or 5,000?

Yes. 10,000 is another name for Farkle, and so are Zilch and Greed. 5,000 is the same game played to 5,000, sometimes with five dice.

What are hot dice in Farkle?

When all six dice have scored in one turn, you have hot dice. Pick them all up and roll again, adding to the same turn total.

Game names belong to their owners. Tallynight isn't connected with any game publisher.