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Last updated: April 04, 2024
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Ever since they were first discovered by ancient civilizations and used for divination, dice have been intriguing us with their history, fascinating mythical stories and their evolution which has inspired and spawned hundreds of board games while still retaining their original simplicity. They are now a constant fixture in several homes which have adopted the best dice games as a simple yet fun way to unwind or entertain guests.
Before making your decision, read through our review of the most remarkable models available. We considered the recommended age that would suit your children and the number of players that can accommodate more participants in a single game. Next, we evaluated the accessories included for a wider variety of playing options and customizable settings which allow you to personalize the game to suit your needs and preferences. Lastly, we looked at the dimensions of the dice games for playability and portability purposes. A compact model is convenient on trips or for outdoor games.
We have listed the best dice games which come in a variety of sizes, exciting themes, and mechanics. The table below ranks the top models on the market based on customer feedback and individual features which we have also analyzed in detail, including each model’s pros and cons. Our comprehensive buying guide takes an in-depth look at the key features and the frequently asked questions which precede an overview of our top three choices.
Calliope Games Roll For It! – Red Edition involves rolling the dice and matching them to cards with specific values to accumulate points and become the first player to win 40 points.
To start the game, each player gets six dice, and three target cards are placed face up on the table. When it is your turn, you can either reclaim all your dice from all the cards or roll your remaining dice and place any dice that matches the targets on the corresponding cards. If you match the target card with your dice, you claim the card, and your dice then place a new target card on the table.
With each dice roll providing more opportunities and requiring more decisions, the 30 cards and 24 dice will keep you engaged and entertained during get-togethers. Two to four players from the age of eight can play at once with the Red or Purple edition, or you can combine the two dice gaming sets to increase the maximum number of players to eight. The translucent dices in this Red version are available in red, purple, yellow and blue colors whereas the Purple pack comes with pearl dices in white, blue, red and black colors to accommodate more players when combined.
This model combines luck with a bit of strategy for a fun game (which is quick, easy to learn and quite addictive) and a compact size which makes it an ideal option for any family looking for the best dice-rolling board games that can be played at home or when traveling.
The only downside we noted is the size of the dice, which are rather small.
The intriguing layout, construction, and setup of Asmodee Dice Forge may be a bit intimidating, but the visual cues and the starter deck to train beginners makes this model one of the best dice-rolling board games for children older than seven years while the advanced deck of cards makes it more challenging to suit adult players.
The package consists of four playing boards for tracking progress, 96 “Heroic Heat” cards; four Hero Pawns and dices with removable faces which you customize to gain points and implement more winning strategies to this dynamic game. It is one of the best dice drafting games where you get to augment your dice to sway your outcomes, with each player rolling the dice to gather shards, gold and victory points.
There are numerous pieces which take time to set up or disassemble, but this is made quicker with the storage insert which is conveniently built into the box and the elastic band which keeps all the gaming pieces in place.
Buyers are impressed by the replayability of this model, changing dice paradigm, innovative design, cute artwork, and the option to customize this dice game according to the level of skill. We like the unique concept of rebuilding the dice, which gives you more control of the outcome because it focuses more on strategy and less on random chance. The game can be played by 2 to 4 players, which is a pretty small number for most families. It would be nice if more players could be added to share the fun.
What stands out?
Fun and entertaining for kids, teens, and adults
Varied strategies
Secure storage
Customizable play
Visual guide
Starter and advanced decks
What cons did we manage to find?
Assembly takes time
The rules are quite complicated to understand right away
With dimensions of 3 x 5.5 x 1 inches, LCR Left Center Right is pretty small and portable, but it has the large capacity and high speed expected in the best dice rolling board games, accommodating a minimum of three players who are at least five years old and as many participants as you wish. Some owners claim they’ve have played it with 30 players.
The gaming set comes in a blue tin and includes three six-sided dice with L, C, and R labeled on three of the sides while the other three sides are marked with dots. You will also receive 24 playing chips and a paper with instructions. Each player starts off with three chips and rolls the dice to determine where they pass the chips. Depending on the dice roll, the player passes a chip either to the left, right or center pot. If they roll the dots, they retain the chips for that die. If any dots are rolled, the player retains his chip for that die. The game and the center pot are won by the last player with chips.
This model appeals to customers because it is a social and engaging game which suits a large crowd, allowing you to bond while competing. You can spice up the game by substituting the chips with quarters or candies for greater incentives or by making it a drinking game with your friends. A couple of customers who were expecting a larger size have been disappointed by the small chips.
DA VINCI Bang!: The Dice Game combines mystery, blasts, betrayal, and bluffs to make the best dice games of all times. The gameplay is determined by rolling the dice to get a combination of items which may include a bullet, health, dynamite or an arrow.
Each player gets a hidden team card and a character card – Sheriff, Deputy sheriffs, and outlaws – with special abilities which are randomly chosen. The goal is to eliminate anyone who is not on your team which is tricky because, with the exception of the Sheriff, the identity of the other players and their teams is not revealed.
Although a minimum of three players is recommended, most owners suggest at least five players increase the longevity and complexity of the game. Younger players may require more time to understand the special abilities of the various characters, but if all the participants are adept at it, it typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete the game.
Compared to the card version of the game, this dice version is easier to learn and faster to play because there are only six possible dice rolls as opposed to learning several different cards.
The dicing game set includes five dice, 30 game cards made of cardboard, arrow and bullet tokens, and instructions in English and Italian. It can be played by three to eight players starting from the age of eight.
Fans of this game like the high production value in all the components and the combination of strategy with the random luck of rolled dice. You can upgrade this model with an expansion pack for more players and roles.
TENZI Party Pack stays winning; it is a best seller on Amazon with overwhelmingly positive reviews by verified buyers. It is also recommended as one of the best toys for kids from the age of seven to elderly adults who are 97 years old, making it the world’s best dice games for all-inclusive family fun.
This game is played by two to six players and includes six sets of ten dice which may come in varied colors. Each player gets ten dice which they should roll in the shortest time possible. The winner is the player who gets all the ten dice in the same number and shouts “Tenzi”.
The fun, fast-paced nature of Tenzi is sure to send your family into a competing frenzy with everyone vying to be the first one to match all their dice.
Additionally, you will get eight other variations of TENZI games such as Splitzi, Mega Tenzi, and Tenzi Tower with instructions on how to play them as well as a case for convenient storage.
Customers are in love with the multiple and customizable playing options, the speed of the game, the solid construction of the dice, and the storage case which has been handy for vacations. When you first open the package, you might notice an initial gasoline smell which will disappear over time.
Hasbro Gaming Yahtzee is one of the best dice board games you can afford on any budget to add fun to any event and reminisce the fond memories of childhood. Unlike board games like Scrabble and Monopoly, which require some skills, this game is based on pure luck, which adds an exciting element of unpredictability because both newbies and veterans stand a chance to win.
This edition of Yahtzee is recommended for players above eight years of age and designed for two or more players and the numerous score sheets allow you to add as many players as you like. It comes with five dices, 100 score sheets, and a shaker. However, the picture used to advertise this model displays a red drawer, and black and red dices, and the description indicates that the shaker doubles as a storage case which is misleading because several customers did not receive this casino version which has the red drawer and the dices they got were white in color. A number of them also dislike the new egg shape of the dice shaker which prevents it from sitting flat on the table. Some noted that it was also too loud to play with this shaker.
Otherwise, this classic game is a hit with most of the customers who have given it very high ratings on Amazon. They consider it a family favorite which provides endless hours of entertainment and a fun way to teach the little ones math skills.
What stands out?
Easy to learn and play
100 score cards
Classic game
Low pricing
What cons did we manage to find?
Misleading description
Loud shaker with an inconvenient shape
Things to Consider
The best dice board games come in a variety of designs, gameplay and playing options to cater to different numbers of players, various ages and skills, and individual styles and preferences. This is why we have reviewed the most important features you should consider before making your purchase to identify the right dice games that will suit your needs and preferences.
Types of dice games: which one suits you best?
Dice games come in various types with diverse playing styles and scoring methods. These include simple roll and score dice games like the Yahtzee from Hasbro Gaming; dice-drafting games like Calliope Games Roll For It! – Red Edition which require with each dice roll earning you points or resources or influencing your next decision; strategic games such as the logic-based Asmodee Dice Forge which give you more control over your strategy and outcome; and fast-paced games like the TENZI Party Pack which is won by matching ten dices in the same number in the shortest time possible.
Simple scoring games and dice-drafting gameplays are suitable for families because the games depend on random luck, therefore accommodating players of all skills and giving everyone an equal chance of winning. Strategic games are more complex and rely more on skills than luck while fast-paced games provide quick entertainment, which is convenient for busy schedules or short attention spans.
Below are the most important features you should consider before buying the best dice rolling board games to play with your family and friends.
Recommended age
When considering the best dice games of all times, check the age recommended by the manufacturer to ensure it is suitable for the intended players. This is because the models vary in size, complexity, storyline, and gameplay which appeal to different audiences. Some dice games come in miniature designs and relatively straightforward gameplay for young players while other models incorporate pop culture and trendy themes and styles which are enticing to teenagers. Then there are versatile models such as the ones we have featured in this review of the world’s best dice games which come in varying complexity and multiple strategies and gaming options which can be played by any person from the age of five years, making them suitable for the entire family and diverse gatherings.
The recommended age also serves as a safety precautionary measure which lets you know whether kids of a certain age will require monitoring when playing dice games with small pieces which may pose choking hazards.
Number of players
The different dice games available in the market are designed to support different numbers of players who can play at once. For instance, the Calliope Games Roll For It! – Red Edition accommodates two to four players, the DA VINCI Bang!: The Dice Game is played by three to eight players, and the LCR Left Center Right supports three or more players which allows you to add as many participants as you want by substituting the 24 chips with other incentives.
Dice games which can be played by several players at a time are ideal for family fun and parties. They also heighten competition by supporting more players with varying degrees of skills.
What’s included
The type and number of items included in dice game sets varies from one model to another depending on the gameplay. Simpler dice games typically have dices and cards, and sometimes scoring sheets as well. Looking at our featured dice games, you will receive six sets of ten colored dice and a storage case with the TENZI Party Pack; five dice, 100 score cards and a shaker with the Hasbro Gaming Yahtzee; and 30 cards, 24 dice and playing rules with the Calliope Games Roll For It!.
On the other hand, strategic games come with different types of components for their advanced skill-based gameplay. The Asmodee Dice Forge consists of four playing boards for tracking progress, 96 “Heroic Heat” cards; four Hero Pawns and dices with removable faces to allow numerous strategies and the DA VINCI Bang!: The Dice Game package features five dice, arrow and bullet tokens, and 30 game cards.
Confirming the items included in the package will help you choose the right model that will support your intended number of players and their preferred gaming options.
Extra features
Dimensions and weight – The size and weight of the dice games should be factored in, especially if you intend to play on vacation or when traveling.
If the game is customizable to play it in several different ways – The best dice drafting games that we have listed in this review come with a variety of playing options which can be customized to match the skills, strategies, and number of players. For instance, the Asmodee Dice Forge includes customizable starter and advanced cards, the DA VINCI Bang!: The Dice Game has dynamic gameplay with various roles and strategies, and it can be upgraded with an expansion pack to add more players and roles, and the LCR Left Center Right allows you to substitute the playing chips to support as many players as you want.
The DA VINCI Bang!: The Dice Game is a fast-paced game which typically lasts for approximately 15 minutes unless the participants are very inexperienced and need more time to understand their roles and special powers.
Featuring a minimum number of three players and an unlimited maximum, the LCR Left Center Right is the best dice board games for large gatherings because it does not restrict the number of players that can play in a single game and more players present more strategies and playing options. It also has a high speed to ensure everyone gets a chance to play.
All the models we have recommended for the best dice rolling board games are light and compact enough to be taken anywhere, including on trips.
Our Verdict
It is a tie between the Calliope Games Roll For It! and the Asmodee Dice Forge for the top position, two of the best dice drafting games for two to four players.
The Calliope Games Roll For It! – Red Edition makes one of the world’s best dice games to add fun to any gathering. 30 cards and 24 dice are provided, but you can combine both the Red and Purple editions so you can roll, match and score with more family members.
The Asmodee Dice Forge boasts of an innovative design, visual guides, a convenient storage insert which secures all the pieces, customizable cards for beginners and aficionados, and dices with cool changing faces which give you control of the outcome.
If you prefer the adrenaline rush you get when playing against competitive colleagues in the best dice games of all times, then the fast-paced LCR Left Center Right would be the ideal fun addition for teambuilding. It is compact enough to take it with you anywhere, and other incentives can substitute for the playing chips to add as many players as you want.
Below are the most important features you should consider before buying the best dice rolling board games to play with your family and friends.
Dimensions and weight – The size and weight of the dice games should be factored in, especially if you intend to play on vacation or when traveling.
