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We first learned to play the dice game Slam at a cottage with big wooden yard dice (like these). It was fun to play outside with the big, bulky dice, however, it is just as much fun to play with regular size dice. This game also goes by the name Buck Dice.
It joins are list of great dice games that are easy to play—games like Ohio, Monkey dice and Mafia.
Let’s get into the Slam dice rules, how to play and the different variations.
What you Need
You will need three dice and a score sheet.
How to Play Slam Dice
To start, one player rolls one die. The number that is rolled becomes the Slam number. For example is a 3 is showing then 3 is the slam number.
Next, the first player will roll all three dice. Any slam numbers are worth one point.
If two of the number are rolled then it is called a small slam and is worth 5 points.
And if all three dice are showing the number it is a grand slam and is 15 points.
Unless a grand slam is rolled, the player rerolls all three dice and tries to increase her score.
When no slam numbers are rolled, then that player’s turn is over. Her score is marked and the dice move to the next player.
When a player has a score of 15 points, he has finished the game. However, a player must get an exact score of 15 without going over. For example, if a player is at 14 points and rolls two slam numbers, then she doesn’t score and her turn is over. This applies except if a grand slam is rolled.
At any time if a player rolls a grand slam, he has finished the game no matter what his score was before rolling.
Winning Slam Dice
This is a game where is no one winner but rather a loser. The last player to reach a score of 15 loses the game.
Slam Dice Variations
Like many dice games, there are a few different ways to play with different rules.
Small Slam
When a player rolls three of a number that is not the Slam number, it is also a small slam. The player scores 5 points but her turn is over.
Number of Dice
Some variations allow a player to roll just two dice if he has a score of 13. Similarly, he can roll just one die if he has a score of 14.
Big Number Slam
For this rule change, the Slam number must be 4, 5, or 6. Additionally, when playing this rule you can use the dice to add up to the number. For example if the number is 4 then you could roll 2 +2 or 1 + 3 to make 4. These add ups are worth 1 point.
Playing for Money
You can play for money if you’d like. In this variation, there is one winner rather than a loser. To start, each player puts in the agreed amount of money, say one coin. Next, on a player’s first turn, he will roll all the dice. If he doesn’t get a Slam number then he must put a coin in the middle. This continues until he does roll a slam number. Similarly, after a player’s first turn, if she doesn’t roll a slam number on her turn she must place coin in the middle but her turn ends. The player who reaches 15 points first is the winner and wins the money.
A Grand Time
Slam dice is a fun and quick game of luck, perfect for a light game.
If you need more dice (because who doesn’t?) you can shop here; we like to have our own dice in our favorite colours. Canadians can shop for dice here.
And with your new dice you can play the games Fifty, Volcano and Whacky Putt. Be sure to check out our Family Game Shelf Shop for lots of fun dice games like Whacky Putt, Three Strikes and our Winter Carnival dice and many more.
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