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Farkle vs Yahtzee (2026): both are five- or six-dice games you can learn in minutes, and both live in junk drawers across the country. But they reward different instincts. Yahtzee is a planning game with a scorecard. Farkle is a push-your-luck game where one bad roll wipes out your turn. Here is how they compare and which to buy for your table.
Our pick for parties and big groups: Farkle dice set
Farkle is the faster, louder game: roll six dice, keep the scorers and decide whether to push your luck. This set includes two sets of six large dice, a felt-lined rolling tray and a 40-sheet score pad, and it is rated for two to six players, ages 8 and up.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Farkle and Yahtzee sets
Two easy dice games for any table.
- Classic planning dice game: Yahtzee — five dice, a cup and score pads (about $10)
- Push-your-luck dice game: Farkle set with rolling tray — two sets of six dice and a tray (about $25)
What comes in each box
This Yahtzee edition includes five dice, 80 score sheets and a collapsible silicone cup, all of which pack into a travel case with a built-in dice-rolling tray. The Farkle set comes with two sets of six dice, a 40-sheet score pad and a felt-lined tray with the scoring combinations printed on it, so nobody needs to look up the rules mid-game. Both fit in a backpack, which makes them great for camping trips and holiday travel.
Farkle vs Yahtzee at a glance
| Farkle | Yahtzee | |
|---|---|---|
| Dice | Six | Five |
| Goal | First to 10,000 points (common rule) | Highest scorecard total after 13 rounds |
| Core tension | Keep rolling or bank points | Which box to fill each turn |
| Luck vs choice | More luck, bold choices | More planning |
| Players | 2 or more | 1 or more |
| Best for | Bars, parties, big groups | Families and quiet nights |
How Yahtzee plays
On your turn, roll five dice up to three times, setting aside any you want to keep. Then you must write a score in one of 13 boxes on your card, even if it is zero. The upper section counts ones through sixes, and reaching 63 there earns a 35-point bonus. The lower section scores three of a kind, four of a kind, a full house for 25, a small straight for 30, a large straight for 40, chance, and the famous Yahtzee, five of a kind, for 50. Extra Yahtzees score 100 bonus points each.
The strategy lives in the scorecard. Do you take 25 for a full house now or hold out for sixes? Our how to play Yahtzee guide covers the full scoring rules.
How Farkle plays
Roll six dice. You must set aside at least one scoring die, such as a 1 or a 5, or a combination like three of a kind. Then you choose: bank your points and pass the dice, or roll the remaining dice for more. If a roll shows no scoring dice at all, that is a Farkle, and you lose every point from that turn. Score with all six dice and you get to roll all six again.
Scoring varies from table to table. A common version counts 1s as 100, 5s as 50, three of a kind as 100 times the number (three 1s are 1,000), and a straight of 1 through 6 as a big bonus, with the first player to 10,000 winning. Agree on a score sheet before you start. Our how to play Farkle guide lists the most common table.
Which is better for kids?
Yahtzee. The scorecard gives structure, the rounds are fixed at 13 and every roll teaches a little addition. Farkle’s wipe-out rolls can frustrate younger kids, though some love the drama.
Which is better for a party?
Farkle. Turns are fast, everyone groans together at a Farkle, and you can play with as many people as you can seat. Yahtzee works in a group, but players spend more time looking at their own scorecards.
Is Farkle or Yahtzee better for two players?
Both work, but Yahtzee is the more satisfying head-to-head game, because you can see your rival’s card and plan around it. If you enjoy Yahtzee, try Qwixx vs Yahtzee for another quick dice game with no waiting between turns.
Our verdict on Farkle and Yahtzee
- Pick Yahtzee for families, kids learning math and anyone who likes a plan.
- Pick Farkle for parties, game bars and people who love a gamble.
- Pick both if your dice games get played weekly. Together they cost less than most board games.
For more, browse our best dice games and best push-your-luck games.
Farkle vs Yahtzee questions
Is Farkle the same as Yahtzee?
No. Both use dice, but Yahtzee fills a 13-box scorecard while Farkle is about banking points before a roll with no scoring dice wipes your turn.
How many dice do you need for Farkle?
Six. Yahtzee uses five.
Can you play Farkle with Yahtzee dice?
Only if you add a sixth die, because Farkle needs six.
