Rules for the 4, 5, 6 Dice Game

Rules on Playing the 10,000 Dice Game
Written By
Carlos Mano
Carlos Mano
Published: Jul 9, 2010
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read

A large number of dice games are called 4, 5, 6 dice games--and the games have a variety of rules. The original games came from China and even the Chinese games had different rules. About the only thing these games have in common is that none of them use exactly two dice.

The One Die Game

In the one die game, a bowl or hat is placed in the middle of a table and the players set around the table with three chips or markers (or quarters or dollars) in front of them. The starting person is chosen by a roll of the die. Play proceeds clockwise around the table until the game is over. Each player in his turn rolls the die. If he rolls a 4, he passes one of his markers to the player on his left, if he rolls a 5, he puts a marker in the pot. If he rolls a 6 he passes a marker to the right. This continues until the player has no markers; he then passes the die. When only one player has markers, he wins the entire pot if he rolls a 1, 2 or 3. If the situation arises where no player has markers, the pot stays and a new game begins.

The Game with Three Dice

The three dice game is called Cee-Lo and is closest to the Chinese versions. It is also the one most often referenced in hip hop culture. Any number can play but the game consists of a series of battles between two players. Each player puts up an agreed upon amount. Each player in the pair rolls all three dice until one of four recognized combinations appears. A 4-5-6 combination is the best combination. A "trip" is all three dice the same and is the next best combination. Next comes a pair with one die different. The different die becomes the "point." The worst possible combination is 1-2-3, which always loses. If two players tie, the pot is doubled and they start all over again.

Advertisement

The Game with Five Dice

Each player puts the same amount in the pot. Players take turns rolling all five dice. A player can roll (at most) three times. Each player is trying to get a 6-5-4 combination. If all three appear on the first roll, the player's "point" is the sum of the remaining two dice. If a 6 or a 6 and a 5 appear on the first roll, they are set aside. If a player has made the 6-5-4 and still has a roll left, he may roll the remaining two dice for a better point--but must take the point from the last roll. It is entirely possible for a player to roll three times and get no point because the 6-5-4 was never made. The player with the highest point wins. If there is a tie, the game starts again with a new pot double in size; everyone puts in the same amount again.

Carlos Mano

Carlos Mano lives in Maryland and started writing full time in 2002. He has been published in the "Journal of the New York Academy of Sciences," "NASA Tech Briefs" and in various computer journals. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics…

Sponsored
Our Pastimes Logo

A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.