How to Play Farkle
Farkle is a fun push-your-luck dice game that family and travel sets often include. For more helpful guides like this one, visit Playmore to explore similar beginner pages.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Farkle |
| Type | Push-your-luck dice game |
| Typical players | 2–8 |
| Components | Use the components included with the game |
| Collection | popular-games |
What you are trying to do
On your turn you try to score points by rolling the dice. After each roll, you set aside any dice that make scoring combinations. You can stop at any time and bank those points. If you roll and get no scoring dice, you "farkle" and lose the points you collected that turn. The risk is deciding when to stop.
What you need and how to set up
Use the dice and any score sheet that came in your set. Players sit in a circle. Decide who goes first by any quick method, like a single die roll. Agree on any house rules and the target score before you start. Exact scoring combinations and the game-winning total can vary by edition, so check the official rules that came with your version for specifics.
How to play
- On your turn, roll the dice included with your game. Roll all dice that are available to you at the start of the turn.
- Look for scoring dice or combinations. Set aside any dice that count for score. Only set aside dice you are happy to keep for that turn.
- Choose: either stop now and write down the points you set aside, or roll the remaining dice to try for more. If you stop, your turn ends and your points are safe.
- If you roll again and no dice show a scoring combination, you farkle and the points you collected this turn are lost. Play passes to the next player.
- If you set aside scoring dice and use all the dice in scoring combinations, many versions let you roll the full set again to keep building that same turn. This rule can vary, so check your version.
- Keep taking turns around the table, adding banked points to each player's total.
How a round or game ends
A single turn ends when a player stops and banks points, farkles, or runs out of dice and cannot continue. A full game usually ends when a player reaches an agreed target score. Common sets ask players to play a final round after someone hits the target so others can try to catch up. Exact end-game targets and tie rules vary by edition, so check your version's official rules for the numbers used in your set.
Beginner tips
- Start cautiously. Bank smaller gains early until you learn how the scoring in your version behaves.
- Set aside dice that secure points first, not riskier combos that need more matching dice.
- Pay attention to opponents' scores. If someone is near the target, you may need to take bigger risks.
- Learn which dice count as scoring in your edition so you can spot safe rolls quickly.
- Agree on house rules before you play to avoid arguments about special combos or rerolls.
FAQ
What does "farkle" mean?
A "farkle" is when you roll and none of the dice show a scoring combination. When that happens, you lose the points collected during that turn and your turn ends.
Can I stop and keep my points?
Yes. After any successful roll where you set aside scoring dice, you may choose to stop. Those points get added to your total and are safe from being lost on later rolls.
Where do I find exact scoring and winning totals?
Scoring combos and the target score can differ between versions. Check the official rules that came with your set for precise scoring and end-game targets.