Hasbro

Yahtzee, created by Milton Bradley in the 1940s, is a board game played across the globe. Although most find it to be a slow and uninteresting game, many families get together and play Yahtzee every holiday. There is a disconnect here. Why would families ritualistically play Yahtzee for weekly game night, yet most everyone agrees this board game is unappealing and unpleasant? Realible World News is here to give an honest, up close and personal, review. We dig to gain a deeper understanding of Yahtzee and its contradictive state.

Gameplay

Yahtzee is completely and utterly a game of chance, which is why it is so frustrating and unengaging. However, it also explains why families love the game. During family reunions, it’s important to involve everyone, even the dumbest members. A game requiring high levels of strategy or mental engagement would stop many dumb people from participating. That’s the first key to unlocking the puzzle of why everyone hates Yahtzee but can never escape it.

Here is a quick explanation of the game. Players take turn rolling five dice. On each turn, the player gets three chances to roll the dice to get the best combination of numbers. There are various combos to get, including small and large straights, three and four of a kind, and, most importantly, the Yahtzee. When a player manages to roll the same number on all five dice, they earn a Yahtzee, which nets the most points possible in a single turn. The game continues until each player has completed their scorecard.

Competition in Yahtzee

This game has practically zero competition between players. The players have no impact on each other, and, since there is no strategy, they have no impact on their own destiny. The player has a passive roll throughout the entire game. However, this is another reason families love it. Tensions run high during reunions; drunk uncle fight, politics clash, Grandpa drives home severely intoxicated, etc. Why have a competitive board game further pit people against each other? Yahtzee allows everyone to be on an equal playing field and hate the game instead of each other.

Cheating in Yahtzee

The one big plus side to this game is the ability to cheat. You can’t cheat while rolling the dice because, as you roll, everyone has nothing to do but watch you. However, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from writing whatever you want down on your own scorecard. Typically, at the end of the game, each player tallies up there own card and the winner is determined. If you master cheating, you will see a drastic improvement in your score and you’ll never lose again. That’s what makes Yahtzee a truly great board game.

In Summary

Yahtzee has all the makings of a bland, unpleasant board game. That’s why, on an individual level, no one enjoys Yahtzee. However, people always end up playing during family reunions. This is one of the few board games that caters to the lowest common denominator. Its mindless gameplay and low stakes make this a hit for any gathering. The cheating potential in Yahtzee is also a major plus.

Stay tuned for future reviews, where Realible World News will dig deep and gain a higher understanding of the most popular games.