Ship, Captain, Crew question.....

[yyz]

Any of you guys play this dice game?

For those who don't know the game, it is played with 5 dice. You get a maximum of three shakes of the dice, and the object is to get a "6-5-4" and your score is the total of the remaining two dice. On the first shake, you need at least a "6" on one die. If there are no sixes, you must shake all five dice again. If you have a six on the first roll, you can set it aside, and shake the remaining four dice, and look for the "5" and "4".

If you have a "6" and a "5" on the first roll, you may hold them both out, and look for the "4" on the next roll. Etc, etc.......


I was playing it in the clubhouse with my crew after golf last night, and we always have a running debate about a certain issue. Here's the scoop:

4 players. I started a particular round, and got 9 for my score after three shakes. The next two players did not get a 6-5-4, so they had nothing. The last player tied me with "9" in two shakes. This meant that he still could shake one more time to try and beat my score, or stay with a tie, and all 4 players play again, with the stakes doubled.

Here's where we differ in opinoin:

I don't think it makes any sense to let the two other guys back in the game, by declairing a "tie". I opt to shakes the dice again if the total is 9 or less. These guys all scream that if you tie seven or higher, you should stay. (Law of numbers suggest they are right in theory.)

I understand that my odds of catching another 9 or a 10, 11, 12 are not that good, but my point is this:

Wouldn't you rather have one shot at beating that 9, as opposed to having to start all over and beat whatever the other three manage in the next round?

:shrug:

 

[bubbas1]

I have always played "one tie all tie".

To me it gives the people that are already out something to root for. It is always mentioned at the beginning of the game about ties.

Ive also played where you can stop after the first roll no matter what. If you roll a 6-5 with no 4 on the first roll you can stop right there and everyone else has to try to beat it in one roll.

 

[KotysDad]

Re: Ship, Captain, Crew question.....

Wouldn't you rather have one shot at beating that 9, as opposed to having to start all over and beat whatever the other three manage in the next round?

:shrug:

yyz,

Not sure if I am understanding this correctly as I am not familiar with this game, but if my assumption is incorrect then let me know. But, it seems to me that you are faced with two scenarios (1) trying to bet a 9 on one roll or (2) starting over and trying to beat the other 3 guys.

The chances of getting a 10, 11, or 12 are 6 in 36, which is 5:1 against. But if you start over, with 4 guys, your odds of winning are just 3:1 against. Unless I am misunderstanding the rules, you are better off taking the tie and going with the 3:1 over the 5:1.

p.s. Oops, nevermind. Disregard my post. I reread your post and see that you realize the odds arent in your favor. My bad.

 

[yyz]

Bubbas1

Yes.....two tie, all tie. Also, yes.....you can stop on any roll if you have the "hammer". (Hammer meaning first roll of the new game.)

There are a lot of times when the first guys will get shit on the first toss, and pass the dice. This means the other players only get one toss each.

Kotysdad. You always pop up when there are numbers questions!

I do give a little lean to taking the tie with less than 5 guys in the game, for the reason you stated. Sometimes when we have 8-10 guys playing, guys STILL go with a tie, and to me, that is pure nuts!

Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[dawgball]

Before I bring up any other rules, I think because I love the gamble part I would take one more roll to beat you.

Now, we also play that if I get 9 in my second roll and it took you 3 rolls, then I would have already beat you. That rule forces someone to debate when they roll an 6-8 on the first rollout (after 6-5-4) whether to try again or stick with that on their first. I don't think I wrote that very well.

 

[Waldo]

Unless I have the first roll after the tie, I stay on 9 and above and roll the 8 or lower. If I have the first roll, usually stay on 7 and 8.

 

[yyz]

I forgot to add, when there is a tie, in the next round every player can take up to three rolls, no matter what the first guys does.

 

[jerbeek]

Not sure I totally understand the rules or the game but I would think it depends on what his dice are. If he has a 6-5-4 and the two remaining are a 6 and 3, can he keep the 6 and roll the 3. This would give him a 50% chance of winning, 33% chance of losing and a 16.6 % chance of tying. If he holds a 5 then it would be 50% chance of losing, 33% chance of winning and 16.6 % channce of tying. To me you are better off going for the win either way because one all 4 are back in you are back to a 25% chance of winning. That is if you can hold one of the die and roll one.

If you have to roll both dice then you would have a 16.67 % chance of winning a 11% chance of tying and 72.33% chance of losing. In this case I think you should take the tie and replay but it depends on how lucky you are.

This does sound like a fun game, can someone list the complete rules? Any game you can gamble on is fun if you ask me, we even play Yahtzee for money - lol!

 

[bubbas1]

I totally agree with staying with the tie with 5 or less players.

I have always played that you can still stop after the first roll if it is the beginning of the game after a tie.

I will go for the win if the total is 6 or below or if its above that then I have to have a 4,5, or 6 on 1 die. Depending on what the total is that I have to beat.

The main thing Ive noticed about the game is that the longer it is played the higher the ante is. Ive been in some where it got up to $20 a person. It seems that the more beer everyone drinks the higher the game goes

 

[BahamaMama]

Kotysdad. You always pop up when there are numbers questions!

I

woooooo hooooo....MYYYYYYY kinda MAN........way to go KD

 

[yyz]

jerbbek,

You cannot "farm" (hold out) one of the last two dice. You have to take the score, or roll them both.

I would bet that if you did a google search on the game, you would find the rules.

 

[bubbas1]

You cannot "farm" (hold out) one of the last two dice.

Must be different depending on where you play. I have never heard of not being able to farm one of the last 2 dice.

 

[jerbeek]

I found the rules by doing a Yahoo search and you are correct you must roll both dice if you choose to try for a higher score.