| Yahtzee
is an often overlooked game that is slightly complex to learn for
children, but once understood, it's a quick and easy game that is
addictive!
The original
"board game" is designed for multiplayers--the idea is
to take turns and try to get the highest score. However, the
electronic handheld Yahtzee proves that the game is perfect for
independent play. Players simply try to get their high score.
 Classic.
Yahtzee basically plays as follows: Players roll 5 dice at
once. They have 3 chances to make their best roll to use in one of
the many categories on the score sheet. If all five are the same,
they've rolled a Yahtzee. At the top of the score sheet are spaces
for each number, 1-6. If players manage to get three 6's, they can
choose to score 18 (3 x 6) in their 6 spot. If the other two
numbers are 4 and 5, they might choose to use their score in one
of the bottom categories, for "3 of a kind"--in this
category, they can add up all the dice and they'll make 27. If
they've rolled three 6's and two 5's, they can choose to score a
"Full House". Each category can only be used once, so if
their 6, full house, or 3 of a kind categories have already been
taken, they might need to use the roll in their "Chance"
category. If that has been used, they might need to scratch a
column altogether, or use the roll as zero 1's.
Although luck
is a huge factor in the game, strategy is quite high as well.
Yahtzee is a quick game--but that doesn't mean it's easy for
children to learn. I quickly discovered this when I attempted to
explain what I thought was an extremely easy game to a
ten-year-old. The reason for this is that there are a lot of basic
rules, as well as "and's, if's, and but's", but children
about 9 and up will enjoy the game once they've figured out the
basic rules.
The official
game of Yahtzee consists only of 5 dice, a shaker, bonus chips,
and a score pad. If you know the rules, scoring categories, and
own a set of 5 dice, you can easily play the game without
purchasing the set. I've actually printed out a score card, had it
laminated, and used it with non-permanent markers.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Yahtzee]
The Yahtzee software program is
well done, although it's not portable unless you own a laptop.
Even if you're playing it on a laptop, it's not as easy to start
your electronic game of Yahtzee as it is with the electronic
handheld (below). Still, the Yahtzee CD-ROM is easy to use
and features game variations that are quite pleasant. The dice are
3D, the sound effects are realistic, and the game can be played
against a computer or human opponent. Records are kept, and there
is a fun "instant odds" option that lets you see the
probability of rolling certain combinations. The CD is well done,
but the nature of the game makes it a little clunky transferred to
the computer.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Yahtzee & Sorry Twice The Fun (Jewel...
CD-ROM]
 Top
Pick. Electronic Handheld Yahtzee by Milton
Bradley is fantastic. It's perfect to have on hand whenever you
are bored--in a waiting room, on the bus or plane, and so
forth--and it's very durable. Press the "roll" button,
and the combination is clear on the LCD screen. Players
"hold" particular dice by pressing the corresponding
yellow buttons beneath each, and they roll whatever die/dice they
haven't held. The handheld keeps track of high scores. The machine
tallies up your scores--my only complaint, though, is that you
don't get to see the scores in each of the individual categories
in the top level, which means you have to rely on memory for
figuring out if you are below, on, or above par for scoring your
bonus points.
The game can be played with or
without the sound, and the "mute" option is absolutely
necessary...especially if you're an adult and playing the game in
public! We've found the handheld unusually durable, and it doesn't
drain the battery quickly at all (it takes 1 AAA battery,
included, which seems to last forever). Each game is very quick,
but if you need to put your game on hold, the automatic shut-off
feature is great, and the game "remembers" where you
left off! Excellent, portable fun.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Electronic Handheld Yahtzee Game
]
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