Easy dice games are perfect for beginners because they do not need complicated rules, expensive materials, or previous gaming experience. Most beginner dice games can be learned in a few minutes. You roll the dice, follow a simple rule, count points, and enjoy the game.
If you are new to dice games, the best place to start is with games that use one to three dice, short turns, and easy scoring. These games help new players feel confident quickly. They are also great for families, kids, adults, classrooms, and casual game nights.
This guide focuses on easy dice games for beginners. You will find simple game rules, beginner tips, example rounds, comparison tables, and advice on choosing the right game for your situation.
Why Dice Games Are Great for Beginners
Dice games are beginner-friendly because they are simple and flexible. You do not need to memorize a long rulebook before playing. Many games use basic actions like roll, add, stop, pass, or score.
| Beginner Benefit | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Easy to learn | Most games take only a few minutes to explain |
| Low cost | You usually need only dice, paper, and pencil |
| Short rounds | Beginners can practice without long sessions |
| Flexible rules | Games can be made easier or harder |
| No special skill needed | Anyone can roll dice and join |
| Good for all ages | Kids, teens, and adults can play together |
| Builds confidence | New players understand the game quickly |
| Screen-free fun | A simple way to enjoy offline entertainment |
Dice games are also useful because each roll creates a new result. This keeps the game interesting even when the rules are simple.
What Beginners Need to Start
You only need a few basic supplies.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| 1 die | Pig, Twenty One, Beetle Drive |
| 2 dice | Sevens Out, Shut the Box paper version |
| 3 dice | Going to Boston |
| 5 or 6 dice | More advanced beginner games later |
| Paper | Scorekeeping and drawing |
| Pencil or pen | Writing scores |
| Dice tray or bowl | Keeps dice from rolling away |
| Small tokens | Useful for LCR-style games |
If children are playing, use large foam dice for younger kids. Small dice can be unsafe for toddlers, so adult supervision is important.
Quick Beginner Dice Game Picker
Use this table to choose a game quickly.
| Situation | Best Game | Dice Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| First dice game ever | Going to Boston | 3 | Simple rolling and adding |
| Young beginners | Beetle Drive | 1 | Drawing and number recognition |
| Quick family game | Pig | 1 | Easy risk-and-stop choice |
| Addition practice | Shut the Box Paper Game | 2 | Number combinations |
| Fast score game | Sevens Out | 2 | Simple rolling and scoring |
| Target-score game | Twenty One | 1 | Knowing when to stop |
| Large group | Left Center Right Style Game | 3 special dice or tokens | Group fun |
Beginner Game 1: Going to Boston
Going to Boston is one of the easiest dice games for beginners. The rule is simple: roll three dice, keep the highest number, and add your final total.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Players: 2 or more
Dice needed: 3 dice
Time: 5 to 10 minutes
Main skill: Addition and number comparison
How to play:
- Roll all three dice.
- Keep the highest die.
- Roll the remaining two dice.
- Keep the highest die again.
- Roll the last die.
- Add all three kept dice.
- Highest total wins the round.
Example round:
| Roll | Dice Result | Kept Die |
|---|---|---|
| First roll | 2, 5, 6 | 6 |
| Second roll | 3, 4 | 4 |
| Third roll | 2 | 2 |
| Final score | 6 + 4 + 2 | 12 |
Why beginners like it:
There are no difficult choices. You always keep the highest die, so new players can understand the game immediately.
Easy variation:
Play only 3 rounds for a very quick game.
Beginner Game 2: Pig
Pig is a simple dice game where players choose whether to roll again or stop and save their points.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Players: 2 or more
Dice needed: 1 die
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Main skill: Addition and decision-making
How to play:
- Roll one die.
- Add the roll to your turn score.
- Choose to roll again or stop.
- If you stop, your turn score is added to your total score.
- If you roll a 1, your turn score becomes 0 and your turn ends.
- First player to reach 50 points wins.
Example turn:
| Roll | Result | Turn Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st roll | 4 | 4 |
| 2nd roll | 6 | 10 |
| 3rd roll | 3 | 13 |
| Player stops | Bank points | 13 |
If the player rolls 1 before stopping, they get 0 points for that turn.
Why beginners like it:
Pig has only one important choice: keep rolling or stop. This makes it easy but still exciting.
Beginner tip:
Stop when you have 10 to 15 points in one turn. This is a safe habit for new players.
Beginner Game 3: Beetle Drive
Beetle Drive is a fun drawing dice game. It is great for kids, families, and beginners who enjoy creative activities.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
Players: 2 or more
Dice needed: 1 die
Time: 10 minutes
Main skill: Number recognition and drawing
How to play:
- Each player gets paper and a pencil.
- Players take turns rolling one die.
- Each number lets you draw one beetle part.
- The first player to complete the beetle wins.
| Dice Roll | Beetle Part |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tail |
| 2 | One leg |
| 3 | One antenna |
| 4 | One eye |
| 5 | Head |
| 6 | Body |
Important rule:
You must roll a 6 and draw the body before adding other parts. You must draw the head before drawing eyes or antennae.
Complete beetle checklist:
| Part | Needed |
|---|---|
| Body | 1 |
| Head | 1 |
| Eyes | 2 |
| Antennae | 2 |
| Legs | 6 |
| Tail | 1 |
Why beginners like it:
The game is visual and funny. Players can see progress as their beetle drawing grows.
Beginner Game 4: Twenty One
Twenty One is a simple target-score dice game. The goal is to get close to 21 without going over.
Best for: Ages 7 and up
Players: 2 or more
Dice needed: 1 die
Time: 10 minutes
Main skill: Addition and planning
How to play:
- Each player starts with 0 points.
- On your turn, roll one die.
- Add the roll to your total.
- You may stop and keep your score.
- If your total goes over 21, you score 0 for that round.
- Closest to 21 without going over wins the round.
Example:
| Turn | Roll | Running Total | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 5 | Roll again |
| 2 | 6 | 11 | Roll again |
| 3 | 4 | 15 | Roll again |
| 4 | 3 | 18 | Stop |
The player stops at 18. Another player who stops at 20 wins because 20 is closer to 21.
Why beginners like it:
The goal is clear. New players quickly understand when they should stop rolling.
Easy version:
Use a target of 15 for younger players.
Beginner Game 5: Sevens Out
Sevens Out is a quick two-dice game. Players keep rolling and scoring until they roll a total of 7.
Best for: Ages 7 and up
Players: 2 or more
Dice needed: 2 dice
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Main skill: Addition and scorekeeping
How to play:
- Roll two dice.
- Add the total to your turn score.
- If you roll doubles, double the points for that roll.
- Keep rolling until you roll a total of 7.
- When you roll 7, your turn ends.
- First player to reach 100 points wins.
Example turn:
| Roll | Dice Result | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 and 4 | 7, turn ends |
Another example:
| Roll | Dice Result | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 and 5 | 7, turn ends |
Better example without an immediate 7:
| Roll | Dice Result | Points Added |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 and 5 | 9 |
| 2 | 3 and 3 | 12 because doubles are doubled |
| 3 | 2 and 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 1 and 6 | 7, turn ends |
Turn score before the 7: 9 + 12 + 8 = 29
Why beginners like it:
The rule is easy to remember: keep scoring until 7 appears.
Beginner Game 6: Shut the Box Paper Game
You do not need a wooden Shut the Box board to play. Beginners can use a simple paper version.
Best for: Ages 6 and up
Players: 1 or more
Dice needed: 2 dice
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Main skill: Addition combinations
How to play:
- Write numbers 1 to 9 on paper.
- Roll two dice and add the total.
- Cross out one number or a combination of numbers that equals the total.
- Keep rolling until no matching number combination is possible.
- Add the numbers left uncrossed.
- Lower score is better.
Example choices:
| Dice Total | Possible Numbers to Cross Out |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5, or 2 + 3, or 1 + 4 |
| 6 | 6, or 1 + 5, or 2 + 4 |
| 7 | 7, or 1 + 6, or 2 + 5, or 3 + 4 |
| 8 | 8, or 1 + 7, or 2 + 6, or 3 + 5 |
| 9 | 9, or 1 + 8, or 2 + 7, or 3 + 6, or 4 + 5 |
Filled example:
| Roll | Dice Total | Crossed Out | Numbers Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 3 + 4 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| 2 | 9 | 9 | 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| 3 | 6 | 1 + 5 | 2, 6, 7, 8 |
| 4 | 8 | 8 | 2, 6, 7 |
| Final | No move | Score = 15 | 2 + 6 + 7 |
Why beginners like it:
It feels like a puzzle, but the rules are still simple.
Beginner Game 7: Left Center Right Style Game
Left Center Right is a very simple group dice game. You can use an actual LCR dice set or create a homemade version with normal dice and a chart.
Best for: Ages 5 and up
Players: 3 or more
Dice needed: 3 dice or special LCR dice
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Main skill: Turn-taking and following directions
How to play with normal dice:
- Give each player 3 tokens.
- On your turn, roll one die for each token you have, up to 3 dice.
- Follow the action for each number rolled.
- Last player with tokens wins.
| Dice Roll | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pass one token left |
| 2 | Pass one token right |
| 3 | Put one token in the center |
| 4 | Keep token |
| 5 | Keep token |
| 6 | Keep token |
Example:
A player has 3 tokens and rolls 1, 3, and 5. They pass one token left, put one token in the center, and keep one token.
Why beginners like it:
Players do not need to calculate scores. They only follow simple directions.
Best Beginner Dice Games by Difficulty
| Difficulty | Game | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Very easy | Going to Boston | Simple roll-and-add rules |
| Very easy | Beetle Drive | Visual and creative |
| Easy | Pig | One choice: roll or stop |
| Easy | Twenty One | Clear target number |
| Easy | LCR Style Game | Good for groups |
| Medium beginner | Sevens Out | Adds doubles and scoring |
| Medium beginner | Shut the Box Paper Game | Uses number combinations |
Best Dice Games by Player Type
| Player Type | Best Game |
|---|---|
| Young children | Beetle Drive, Going to Boston |
| Complete beginners | Going to Boston, Pig |
| Adults new to dice games | Shut the Box Paper Game, Twenty One |
| Large family group | LCR Style Game |
| Players who like drawing | Beetle Drive |
| Players who like simple math | Shut the Box Paper Game |
| Players who like suspense | Pig, Sevens Out |
| Solo beginner | Shut the Box Paper Game |
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Beginners often make simple mistakes when learning dice games. These are easy to fix.
| Mistake | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| Starting with a complicated game | Start with Going to Boston or Pig |
| Playing too long at first | Use short rounds |
| Forgetting scores | Use a simple score sheet |
| Explaining too many rules | Demonstrate one sample turn |
| Focusing only on winning | Focus on learning the game |
| Using small dice with young kids | Use large foam dice |
| Changing rules mid-game | Agree on rules before starting |
Simple Beginner Score Sheet
You can copy this score sheet for Pig, Going to Boston, Twenty One, Sevens Out, or any score-based beginner game.
| Player Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sara | 12 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 54 |
| Ali | 9 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 53 |
| Mom | 10 | 11 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 54 |
| Dad | 13 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 54 |
How Beginners Can Learn Dice Games Faster
The easiest way to learn a dice game is to play one practice round before keeping score. A practice round removes pressure and helps everyone understand the turn order.
Use this method:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose one simple game |
| 2 | Read only the basic rules |
| 3 | Watch one example turn |
| 4 | Play one practice round |
| 5 | Start the real game |
| 6 | Keep the first session short |
A good beginner rule is:
“Learn one game first, then try a new one.”
How to Make Beginner Games More Fun
Once players understand the rules, you can add small changes.
- Use colorful dice.
- Let players choose the target score.
- Play in teams.
- Add a bonus round.
- Use a timer for fast rounds.
- Let kids create a new rule.
- Play best of 5 rounds.
- Use a dice tray to make rolling easier.
- Give a small point bonus for explaining a good choice.
Small changes keep beginner games fresh without making them confusing.
Safety Tips for Beginner Dice Games
Dice games are safe when the materials match the players’ ages.
Use these safety tips:
- Use large foam dice for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Keep small dice away from young children who may put objects in their mouth.
- Roll dice on a table, tray, or bowl.
- Do not throw dice across the room.
- Keep score pencils and small tokens organized.
- Supervise young children during play.
A simple rule helps:
“Roll on the table, not at people.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest dice game for beginners?
Going to Boston is one of the easiest dice games for beginners because players only roll dice, keep the highest number, and add the final total. Pig is also very easy because it uses only one die.
How many dice do beginners need?
Beginners can start with one die. Pig, Beetle Drive, and Twenty One use one die. Going to Boston uses three dice, while Shut the Box Paper Game uses two dice.
What dice game is best for kids who are beginners?
Beetle Drive, Going to Boston, Pig, and Twenty One are good beginner dice games for kids because the rules are short and easy to understand.
Can adults enjoy easy dice games?
Yes. Adults can enjoy easy dice games, especially quick games like Pig, Shut the Box Paper Game, Sevens Out, and Twenty One. These games are simple but still fun.
What is a good beginner dice game for a group?
Left Center Right Style Game is good for groups because it has simple directions and does not require scorekeeping. Beetle Drive also works well for family groups.
Are beginner dice games educational?
Yes. Beginner dice games can help with counting, addition, number comparison, decision-making, patience, and turn-taking.
How should I teach a dice game to a beginner?
Start with one short game, explain the goal, show one example turn, and play one practice round before keeping score.
Final Thoughts
Easy dice games for beginners are a great way to enjoy simple, screen-free entertainment. They are affordable, quick to learn, and flexible for different ages. New players do not need experience or special materials. A few dice, paper, and a pencil are enough.
Start with Going to Boston if you want the simplest game. Try Pig if you want a little suspense. Use Beetle Drive for kids or creative players. Choose Shut the Box Paper Game if you want a simple number puzzle. For groups, try a Left Center Right style game.
The best beginner dice game is the one that feels easy enough to start and fun enough to play again. Pick one game, roll the dice, and enjoy the first round.
Note: This article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not promote betting, casino play, or real-money gambling.
