How to Play the Knucklebones Dice Game

I was doing research for one of the dice games we have when I came across a new dice game that I had never heard of: Knucklebones. Dice were originally made of actual bones so I thought that it was referring to that aspect of dice, but what I found was a fun, easy and yet very strategic dice game.

Now we love a good luck-based dice game like Ohio, Mafia and Come on 6 but finding a dice game that has a little more to it is a treat. It’s a two player game that can be short or take a little time, depending on the rolls and the strategy.

Let’s get into the rules of Knucklebones, how to play and you can see our game board that you can get in the Fun Library.

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What you Need for Knucklebones

First, you will need nine dice for each player. You will also need a game board. This can be a simple piece of paper or you can download our game board in the Fun Library (see the black box to get your password). The game board should have three rows of three columns for each player that face each other.

If you need dice, you can shop here. Canadians here. We like playing with everyone having their own set of dice in their favorite colour.

How to Play Knucklebones game

To start, you need to decide who will go first. We usually do a dice roll to decide.

Now, the first player rolls a single dice. She can place it in any row she chooses.

Next, the second player rolls his dice. He can also choose any row on his side to place the dice in.

If you place a die in a row that has the same number as one of your oppents dice that is in that same row, then his dice with that number in that row are removed. For example if player one has two 3s in the first row and the second player rolls a 3 and places it in row one, then the first player has to remove both of his 3s.

When there are two of the same number in the same row, they are worth double their face value. Similarly, when there are three of the same number in the same row, they are all worth triple their face amount. For example, if there are two 6s in the row they are both worth 12 points for a combined score of 24. If there are three 5s in the row they are worth 15 points each for a combined score of 45.

Players continue taking turns rolling one die at a time and placing it anywhere on their grid as they’d like, and removing any dice that they have to.

When one player places their last dice in their grid, the game is over and scoring can start.

Scoring

To score Knucklebones, you need to remember that two of the same number in a row are worth double their face value and if there are three they are worth triple. All other dice are worth their face value. Numbers that match in the columns do not count for any extra points.

Winning Knucklebones

The player with the most points is the winner.

Knuckle Down Fun

The Knucklebones dice game is easy to learn and a layered with strategy that is fun and compelling.

For more engaging dice games visit Qwixx, Blizzard, and Slam. Also visit our Family Game Shelf shop for tons of fun with seasonal and original games including our Whacky Putt mini golf dice game.