What it is: A simple dice game where players race to reach exactly 100 points first
Best for: 2 players (though you could easily add more)
What you need:
- 2 dice
- Paper and pencil for each player
- A calculator (optional, but helpful for younger kids)
How to play: This is one of those games that’s super simple to learn but surprisingly engaging once you get going. Each player starts with a score of 0 and tries to be the first to reach exactly 100.
To set up, give each player a piece of paper to keep track of their score. Have them write “0” at the top to start.
On your turn, roll both dice. Here’s where it gets interesting: you get to decide how to use those two numbers. Say you roll a 3 and a 5. You can either make 35 points, 53 points, add them together for 8 points, or even multiply them for 15 points. It’s totally up to you how you want to combine the numbers to get closer to 100 (as long as everyone agrees on the rules at first).
Let’s say it’s Emma’s turn and she currently has 73 points. She rolls a 2 and a 6. She could make 26 and add it to get 99 (so close!), or make 62 and go way over to 135, or just add 2 + 6 = 8 to get 81. Since she wants to get as close to 100 as possible without going over, 26 is probably her best choice, giving her 99.
But here’s the catch: you have to land on exactly 100 to win. If you go over, you “bust” and have to subtract that amount from your score instead. So if Emma had chosen the 62 and ended up at 135, she’d have to subtract 35 from her previous score of 73, putting her back at 38. Ouch!
The first player to reach exactly 100 wins the game.
Strategies: The closer you get to 100, the trickier it becomes. When you’re sitting at 94, rolling a 4 and a 2 is perfect (you can make 6 to reach exactly 100), but rolling a 6 and a 5 gives you some tough choices. Sometimes it’s better to just add the dice (11 points, putting you at 105 and busting back to 83) rather than trying to make 56 or 65.
It’s a great game for practicing mental math, a pretty sneaky way to practice addition and subtraction!
Variations: For younger kids who are still learning to add, you could start with just adding the dice together each turn. For older kids or adults who want more of a challenge, you could start at 500 and try to subtract your way down to exactly 100, or even play “Race to 1000” for a longer game.
You can easily play with more than two players – just have everyone keep their own score and see who hits 100 first. Another fun twist is to play multiple rounds and keep track of how many rounds each player wins.
Rules: Remember, you must reach exactly 100 to win. Going over means you bust and subtract that overage from your previous score. And once you decide how to use your dice (whether to make a two-digit number, add them, etc.), you can’t change your mind – commit to your choice and live with it!
This game is perfect for those times when you need something quick and easy but don’t want to just stare at screens. Plus, it’s surprisingly suspenseful when someone gets close to 100. Have fun!