How to play Farkle

What you need

Farkle is best with two or more players. All you need is six standard six-sided dice and something to track scores (try this Farkle scorekeeper). A typical game takes about 20–40 minutes, depending on the number of players and the target score.

How to play Farkle

1. Roll all six dice.
2. Set aside at least one scoring die or combination. Single 1s, single 5s, and the combinations in the chart below score.
3. Choose whether to roll or bank. Roll the dice you did not set aside to try for more points, or bank the turn total and pass the dice.
4. Keep building the same turn. Each successful roll adds to your unbanked turn total.
5. If you Farkle, score zero for the turn. A roll with no scoring dice ends your turn and wipes out only the points accumulated during that turn.
6. If all six dice score, you can roll hot dice, which means you can roll all six dice again and continue the turn. You can also choose to bank your points instead. Your accumulated points remain at risk until you bank.

Important:
Scoring combinations must appear in a single roll. For example, two 3s from one roll and a third 3 from the next roll do not make three of a kind.

Farkle scoring chart

This is a widely used Farkle scoring system. Because Farkle has many published and family variations, agree on the chart before the first roll or come up with an alternative scoring system.

A die can score only once within a roll. Three 5s score 500 — not 650 for the three-of-a-kind plus three individual 5s.

Want to know how often these results appear? Compare the odds of rolling each Farkle scoring combination.

Farkle scoring examples

Example: 1, 1, 5, 2, 3, 6

The two 1s score 200 and the 5 scores 50, for 250 points. You can set aside any or all of those scoring dice, then roll the rest.

Example: 2, 2, 2, 5, 3, 4

Three 2s score 200 and the single 5 scores 50, for 250 points.

Example: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

The straight scores 1,500 points. All six dice scored, so you have hot dice and may roll all six again.

Example: 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 6

This roll scores nothing under the chart above. It is a Farkle, and you lose the points not yet banked during this turn.

How do you win Farkle?

Play usually continues until one player reaches 10,000 points. That triggers a final round: every other player gets one last turn to beat the leader. After those turns, the player with the highest score wins. For a quicker game, use a target of 5,000 or 7,500.

Common house rules to decide first

• Opening score: some groups require 500 points in one turn before a player may enter the scoreboard.
• Three pairs and special combinations: values vary between editions and families.
• Extra Farkle penalties: some groups subtract points after three consecutive Farkles.
• Exact finish: some games require landing exactly on the target score.

The core roll–set aside–roll or bank rhythm stays the same. Write down any variations so every player uses one consistent Farkle scoring system.

Simple Farkle strategy for beginners

• Bank modest totals when only one or two dice remain; the probability of a Farkle rises as the dice pool shrinks.
• Keeping every scoring die is optional. Sometimes setting aside fewer dice gives you a better next roll.
• Take more risk when you are behind late in the game and less risk when protecting a lead.
• When you get hot dice, remember that the whole unbanked turn total is still at risk, unless you decide to play an alternate version.

Farkle rules FAQ