How to Play Dice Curling

Curling is a big deal in these parts in winter. I, however, have never gotten into the sport—until now. Now we can play right at the game table with our new Dice Curling game.

Dice Curling is the latest in our original sports themed dice games including hockey dice, tennis dice, and mini golf.

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The Object of Dice Curling

Instead of sliding dice down a table top, we created Dice Curling to be about hitting a number target. The target changes each round and depends on the dice roll.

What You need for Dice Curling

First, you need two dice for rolling the target. These are the target dice. We like to make these dice a different colour than the rolling dice.

Second, you will need three dice for each player. Dice Curling is best played as a four player game, however it can be played by any number.

Playing Dice Curling

To start, roll the target dice and place them where everyone can see them. The sum of these dice is the target number that players are rolling for.

When you have the target set, the first player gets to roll all three of his dice. He keeps the two dice that have the sum closest to the target without going over. This sum is his curling stone. If there are not two dice that add up to a sum that is the target or lower, then he has missed and is out of the round.

Next, the second player rolls all three of her dice trying to get two dice to add up to the target or as close to it without going over. When she rolls a sum that is more than the first player, she knocks him out and takes over the lead. On the other hand, if she has a sum that is less than the first player, she stays in the game and waits to throw her next stone.

After all players have rolled and set their first stone, it is time to throw the second stone. All players who had sums over the target number and are out of the game do not get to roll. Any player who had their stone knocked out can roll their last dice in hopes of getting an exact match with the target.

Next, all players with a sum smaller than the leader’s get to roll their third dice in an attempt to get a closer sum, trying to become the new leader.

The player who has the closest sum wins a point.

Hitting the Target

When more than one player has reached the target number, the player with dice that match with the target number is the winner. If there are more than one player with dice matching the target dice, the last player who rolled gets the point.

Round Two

The player to left of the player who rolled first in the pervious round gets to start. Play continues rotating the player who gets to roll first.

Dice Curling Example Game

Target Dice for Round One: 5+3 for 8

Round One, Roll One:
Player A: rolls a 4, 5, 6 all sums are over the target and is out of the round.
Player B: rolls 1, 1, 1 for a sum of 2.
Player C rolls: 1, 4, 5 for a sum of 6.

Round One, Roll Two:
Player A doesn’t roll.
Player B rolls a 6 for a new sum of 7 (using the new 6 and one of the 1s from the first roll.)
Player C: Rolls a 4. As this would put his score either over the target or less than his first roll, he keeps the sum of 6.

Round One has Player A out, Player B at 7 and Player C at 6. The point goes to Player B.

Round Two Target: 6 + 3 for 9

Round Two Roll One:
Player B: rolls 1, 4, 5 for a sum of 9.
Player C: rolls 2, 5, 5 for a sum of 7.
Player A: 2, 3, 3 for a sum of 6.

Round Two Roll Two:
Player B: chooses not to roll.
Player C: rolls a 4 for a new sum of 5 + 4= 9, matching Player B. This puts her in top position as she is the last one to roll the target.
Player A: rolls a 6, giving him a prefect match with the target and therefore winning the point for the round.

Round Three Target: 2 + 3 for 5

Round Three Roll One:
Player C: rolls 1, 6, 6 he is over the target and is out of the round.
Player A: roll 1, 3, 5 for a sum of 4.
Player B: roll 2, 2, 4 for a sum of 4.

Round Three Roll Two:
Player C is out and doesn’t roll.
Player A: rolls a 5 and keeps the sum of 4.
Player B: rolls a a 3 for a perfect match and gets the point.

Round Four Target: 5 + 6 for 11

Round Four Roll One:
Player A: rolls 1, 6, 6 for sum of 7.
Player B: rolls 2, 4, 6 for a sum of 10.
Player C: rolls 2, 5, 5 for a sum of 10.

Round Four Roll Two:
Player A: rolls 2 for sum of 8.
Player B: rolls 6 and keeps old sum of 10.
Player C: rolls 2 and keeps old sum of 10.
The point goes to Player C as he was the last one who rolled the sum of 10.

So after four rounds, Player A has 1 point, Player B has 2 points and Player C has 1 point.

Winning Dice Curling

The first player to reach 10 points is the winner.

Stones Away

We hope that you enjoyed our Dice Curling game. It may take a round or two to get the hang of it but you’ll find it a fun, competitive game that is perfect for winter fun.

For more original dice games, visit our FGS original section and check out out Family Game Shelf Shop for even ore fun. And if you need more dice for family game night, we recommend getting dice in lots of colours, we can shop dice here. Canadians can shop dice here.