How to Play Ohio Dice Game an Addictively Fun Game

We love dice games–Stuck in the Mud, Golf Dice, Mafia, the list goes on and on. But out of all the dice games, Ohio is probably our most favorite game. It is simple to learn, simple to play and simply addictive because it’s harder than it seems. Ohio dice also goes by the names Martinetti and Centennial. Let’s learn to play Ohio.

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The Object of Ohio Dice Game

The object of Ohio is to be the first player to climb to 12 and then back down to 1.

Sounds easy, right? Keep reading to find out why it’s not so easy.

What you need

To play Ohio you will need three dice. (In our house, everyone has their own set of dice. We admit to being a little lazy and not wanting to pass the dice around. We also admit to being a little superstitious about which dice we use.) Colored dice also make it more fun. Canadians can get their dice here.

Also, you will need, a mover for each player as well as a paper with numbers 1 to 12 on it. You can download our Ohio game board for free in our free Fun Library here. You can get your password in the black box below.

How to Play Ohio Dice

First, you need to decide on who goes first. (We usually roll a die, highest goes first.)

Next, the first player rolls all three dice. On a player’s first turn, she is trying to get a one and then a two and so on. For each roll you want to roll the next number on the board either by rolling the number itself (numbers 1 to 6) or a total of that number.

You can only use a die once per roll. (For example, if you roll a 2, 5, 6 you can add the 2 to the 5 to make 7. But since the 2 was used it cannot be added to the 6 to make 8.) You can also add all three dice together to make the number. (Example: 4, 6, 2 to add up to 12.)

If a player has successfully rolled and moved one or more numbers, then she rolls again.

This continues until the player is unable to move and play goes to the next player. Once a player climbs to 12, then he must go backwards to 1.

Game Play

To understand Ohio the best, you need to learn by playing so here is a sample game.

Player 2:
Roll: 1, 3, 2 – player moves 1, 2 and lands on the 3 spot.
Roll: 5, 6, 1 – stays on the three spot, end turn.

Player 1:
Roll: 1, 1, 4 – she can add 1 + 1=2 and moves to spot 2.
Roll: 3, 6, 2 – moves to spot 3.
Roll: 5, 4, 2 – moves 4 and lands on spot 5.
Roll: 1, 4, 3 – end of turn (as no 6 or sum of 6 was rolled).

Player 2:
Roll: 3, 1, 5 – he can add 3+1=4 and moves to spot 4 then to spot 5.
Roll: 3, 3, 2 – moves to spot 6.
Roll: 5, 1, 1 – all dice add up to 7 so moves to spot 7.
Roll: 1, 5, 2 – end of turn.

Player 1:
Roll: 6, 5, 2 – moves to spot5 then 6.
Roll: 5, 3, 4 – she can 5+3=8 and moves to spot 8 (the 5 was used and can’t be used to make 9.)

Player 2:
Roll: 3, 6, 1 – no move stays on spot 7

Play continues in this manner.

Wining Ohio Dice Game

To win Ohio, a player must be the first player to reach 12 and then back down to 1.

What we like

We like that Ohio is simple to play but frustrating at the same time. We like that a player can join a game at any point—and still win! As a mom, I like that it reinforces math skills.

What we don’t like

The one drawback to this game is that it can be a real downer if you get stuck on a number and just can’t move while others pass you—on the way up and then again on the way down. This doesn’t happen very often but to be sitting on the 6 and unable to roll a 7… discouraging.

Play Time

Games of Ohio can be over in 5 or 20 minutes. It’s truly a game of luck.

Ohio is a great family dice game that is simple enough that anyone who can add can play but challenging enough that you’ll want to play over and over again. Make room for Ohio in your family game night.

For more on family game night try the Mafia dice game, the Monkey dice game and our Tug or War game. Be sure to check out our Family Game Shelf store where you can get tons of fun with games like Dice Sticks and Whacky Putt our dice mini golf game.

For even more family fun, download our FREE Quick Play Reference book for dice games in our fun library! This booklet is handy to have on hand as a reference to our favorite dice games.