Snake Eyes is a simple and entertaining game. There are numerous variations of the game, some of which are intended for adults and others for children. This article will teach you how to play Snake Eyes so you and your friends can have one more engaging game to play at the next hangout.
Although Snake Eyes is a simple game to play, you may struggle with grasping the game’s concept unless you have an explanatory guide or a video tutorial. We’ll discuss everything you need to know so that by the end of this article, you’ll be a Snake Eyes expert.
In gambling, “snake eyes” is when you roll two dice and get only one pip on each die. The name comes from the fact that the pair of pips resembles a pair of snake eyes. Read on to learn everything you need to know about playing Snake Eyes.
Required
You’ll need the following supplies to play Snake Eyes:
- A pair of dice
- Pen
- Paper
- A minimum of 2 players
Interested in the Pig Dice game? Read about it here.
The Gameplay
In this game, players take turns rolling the dice and accumulate points on each turn. A turn consists of you rolling the dice and adding the outcomes of both dice. For example, if you roll a four and three, you have seven points in total for that round.
During each turn, you can roll the dice as many times as you want to increase your point tally, provided that you do not get one pip or a snake eye on either of the dice.
Note: After completing your round, you must record your total score for the round and pass the dice to the next player.
Scoring
Now that you understand the basic concept of Snake Eyes, we’ll explain the game’s scoring rules.
- If you roll anything other than a one, you can stop rolling and take the sum of the two dice as your score for that round. Pass the dice to the next player and record your result on the scoresheet.
- Instead of handing over the dice, you can risk the points you earned on the first roll by rolling again.
- If you roll a one, you lose all of your points from that turn and your turn is over.
- If you roll snake eyes (one pip on each die), you lose all the points you have accumulated in the game so far and your total score becomes zero.
- If you roll anything except a one, add the current outcome to your previous score from the first roll.
- You can keep rolling and accumulating more points or write the total score for that round on the scoresheet.
Note: The more you play, the higher the risk of rolling snake eyes.
Snake Eyes Scorecard
The table below exemplifies what your Snake Eyes scorecard should look like. You can input your score into the rows S-N-A-K-E. Depending on the number of players in the game, you may need to add more rows to enter the scores.
S
N
A
K
E
Total
Player 1
Player 2
View and download the Snake Eyes Scorecard here.
Click here to read about the Going To Boston dice game.
Winning
The first player to get 100 points wins the game. You can also play the game for five rounds and calculate the total score. The person with the most points at the end of these five rounds wins the game.
Click here to learn how to play Yardzee.
Variations
Snake Eyes has several variations, so don’t be surprised if you see people playing the game in slightly different ways. We’ll look at some of the other Snake Eyes games you can play.
Snake Eyes Yard Dice Game
Snake Eyes Yard Dice involves players taking turns throwing the dice inside a circle. Points are awarded based on the value of the die that lands and remains in the circle during your turn. The first player to score 21 points or roll snake eyes wins the game.
Note: The probability of rolling snake eyes on two dice is one in 36.
For this particular game of Snake Eyes, you’ll need a ring made out of rope. The rope should be 3 feet (91 cm) in diameter. Place the ring on the ground, about 10 feet (3 m) away. Then, players take turns aiming at it.
Find the best Yardzee game set here.
Snake Eyes Card Game
For this game, you’ll need a Snake Eyes board game set. The game set comes with two dice and several cards. Give each player a set of cards numbered 2 through 6 and 8 through 12. Each card has a unique character. For example, card number two is “Snake Eyes” and features the image of a snake on the front.
Gameplay
The objective of the Snake Eyes card game is to be the first player to have all of your cards turned face down and collect the “kitty” in the middle. You have to throw two dice and add up the outcomes of both dice. Turn the card with the corresponding number face down. For example, if your dice outcomes are 2 and 4, turn the card numbered 6 face down because 2 + 4 equals 6.
If you have already turned the corresponding card face down, contribute to the pot and pass the dice to the next player. The game continues until a player successfully turns all of their cards face down. If you roll a 7, add it to the kitty and pass the dice to the next player because there is no card numbered 7.
How To Play Snake Eyes Drinking Game
There is a variation of the Snake Eyes game for adults. This version incorporates drinks into the game, making it great for parties and social hangouts.
Requirements
You’ll need the following to play the Snake Eyes drinking game:
- A couple of dice
- Table
- A few drinks for the players
Click here to learn about some awesome yard dice games you can play at home.
Set Up
Players need to gather around the table, leaving enough space at the center for each person to roll the dice. Snake Eyes drinking game can be played by 2 to 9 players.
Tip: You can put a barrier at the table’s edge to prevent the dice from falling off.
Snake Eyes Drinking Game Summary
Players take turns rolling two dice and you must drink each time you roll doubles. Anytime you roll snake eyes (double ones), you must finish the drink in your cup.
Want to learn to play Ship, Captain and Crew? Read more here.
Snake Eyes Drinking Rules
Follow these rules when playing the Snake Eyes drinking game:
- Players take turns rolling the dice in a clockwise direction.
- You can only pass the dice to the next player if you don’t roll a double (the same outcome on both dice). If you get doubles, you must keep rolling until you don’t.
- If you roll a double, you must drink for a number of seconds equal to the number on one die. For example, if you roll 5 – 5, you must drink for five seconds before rolling again.
- If you roll snake eyes (1 – 1), you must finish the drink in your cup and roll again.
Unlike the regular Snake Eyes game, there is no ending to this drinking game. You can keep playing until the players have had enough.
Check out other dice drinking games here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Chances Of Winning Snake Eyes?
The chances of winning Snake Eyes are almost always 50/50 if there are two players. The fewer players involved in the game, the better your chances of winning are. Winning Snake Eyes mainly depends on luck, as you cannot predict the outcome of the dice. You can, however, improve your chances of winning by not being greedy. Do not roll more than once during your turn unless absolutely necessary.
What Are The Odds Of Rolling Snake Eyes Twice In A Row?
The odds of rolling Snake Eyes twice in a row are 1/1296 or 0.07%, making it very improbable. The chance of getting Snake Eyes once is 1/36 because you can get 36 possible outcomes when rolling two dice. Therefore, the probability of rolling Snake Eyes twice in a row is 1/36 * 1/36, which equals 1/1296.
How Do You Play Snake Eyes With Dice?
You play Snake Eyes with dice with another player or multiple players. Each player rolls the dice and passes it to the player on their right after their turn ends. When you roll the dice the first time, take the total points of the two dice as your score for that round. Instead of passing the dice, you can risk the points you earned by rolling again. However, if you roll Snake Eyes (1 – 1), you lose the points you have accumulated.
Conclusion
There you have it. After reading our guide to the end, you should know how to play Snake Eyes. Snake Eyes is a pretty fun game for both adults and kids. However, your chances of winning depend heavily on luck, so don’t be too concerned if you don’t win immediately.
