Yatzy Glossary — Terms & Definitions

Yatzy glossary: A complete reference of Yatzy terminology, from basic terms every beginner should know to advanced vocabulary used by competitive players.

How to Use This Glossary

This glossary covers terms used in standard Yatzy, Yahtzee, and common variants. Terms are organized alphabetically for easy reference. Where a term is specific to one version of the game, it’s noted in the definition.

A

Above the Line

Another way to refer to the upper section of the scorecard (Ones through Sixes). The term comes from the physical dividing line on printed scorecards. See also: Below the Line.

B

Below the Line

Refers to the lower section of the scorecard, which includes combination-based categories like Full House, Straights, and Yatzy. See also: Above the Line.

Bonus (Upper Section)

An extra 50 points awarded if the total of your upper section scores is 63 or greater. This is one of the most strategically important elements of the game. The threshold of 63 equals exactly three of each number (3×1 + 3×2 + 3×3 + 3×4 + 3×5 + 3×6).

Bust

An informal term for a turn where your dice don’t match any remaining category well, forcing you to scratch or take a very low score.

C

Category

One of the scoring slots on the Yatzy scorecard. Standard Yatzy has 15 categories; Yahtzee has 13. Each category can be filled only once per game.

Chance

A lower section category that scores the sum of all five dice regardless of combination. It serves as a flexible safety net when no specific category fits your roll.

Combination

The pattern formed by your five dice. Examples include pairs, three of a kind, straights, and full houses.

D

Dice (Die)

The five standard six-sided cubes (numbered 1–6) used to play Yatzy. “Die” is the singular form; “dice” is plural.

Double

Informal term for a pair — two dice showing the same value.

E

Endgame

The final few turns of a game when most categories have been filled. Endgame strategy focuses on minimizing losses and making the best of remaining options.

F

Five of a Kind

See: Yatzy. All five dice showing the same number.

Forced Yatzy

A variant of Yatzy where categories must be filled in a fixed order from top to bottom, removing the choice of which category to score each turn. See also: Variants.

Four of a Kind

A scoring category requiring at least four dice showing the same number. Scored as the sum of those four matching dice.

Full House

A combination of three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., 3-3-3-5-5). In Yatzy, scored as the sum of all five dice. In Yahtzee, scored as a fixed 25 points.

G

Generala

A Latin American dice game that is considered a historical ancestor of both Yatzy and Yahtzee. Uses five dice with similar scoring mechanics.

H

Hand

The set of five dice after rolling. “A good hand” means a favorable combination.

Hold (Keep)

To set aside one or more dice between rolls, preserving their values for the current turn. Held dice do not get re-rolled.

K

Keep

See: Hold. To retain specific dice between rolls during a turn.

L

Large Straight

A sequence of five consecutive numbers: 2-3-4-5-6. Worth a fixed 20 points in standard Yatzy. In Yahtzee, it’s worth 40 points.

Lower Section

The bottom portion of the scorecard containing combination-based categories. In Yatzy, this includes One Pair, Two Pairs, Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, Small Straight, Large Straight, Full House, Chance, and Yatzy.

M

Maxi Yatzy

A variant played with six dice instead of five, adding additional scoring categories and higher possible scores. Popular in Scandinavia.

Multiples

A general term for categories based on having several dice showing the same number (pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, Yatzy).

N

Natural

Rolling a desired combination on the first roll without needing to re-roll. Example: rolling 1-2-3-4-5 on your first throw for a natural Small Straight.

O

One Pair

A Yatzy scoring category requiring two dice showing the same number. Scored as the sum of the pair. Always score the highest available pair. (This category does not exist in standard Yahtzee.)

Open Category

A category on your scorecard that hasn’t been filled yet and is still available for scoring.

P

Pair

Two dice showing the same number. See: One Pair, Two Pairs.

R

Re-roll

To pick up and roll again any number of dice that you didn’t hold/keep. You get up to two re-rolls per turn (three rolls total).

Round

A complete cycle in which every player has taken one turn. In a two-player game, one round = two turns (one per player).

S

Scorecard (Score Sheet)

The paper or digital sheet used to track scores. It lists all categories and has spaces for each player’s scores. A standard Yatzy scorecard has 15 rows for categories plus bonus and total rows.

Scratch (Zero Out)

To enter a score of zero in a category, either because the dice don’t qualify or as a strategic sacrifice. Also called “crossing off” or “dumping.”

Small Straight

A sequence of five consecutive numbers: 1-2-3-4-5. Worth a fixed 15 points in standard Yatzy. In Yahtzee, any four consecutive numbers qualify for the Small Straight (worth 30 points).

T

Three of a Kind

A scoring category requiring at least three dice showing the same number. In Yatzy, scored as the sum of the three matching dice. In Yahtzee, scored as the sum of all five dice.

Turn

One player’s complete action: up to three rolls followed by scoring in one category. Each player gets exactly 15 turns per game (one for each category).

Two Pairs

A Yatzy scoring category requiring two different pairs (e.g., 3-3-6-6). Scored as the sum of all four dice in the two pairs. (This category does not exist in standard Yahtzee.)

U

Upper Section

The top portion of the scorecard containing number-based categories: Ones, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes. Reaching 63 points in the upper section earns a bonus.

V

Variant

An alternative version of Yatzy with modified rules. Common variants include Maxi Yatzy, Forced Yatzy, and Yahtzee itself.

Y

Yacht

A historical dice game that is the direct precursor to Yahtzee. Uses five dice with 12 scoring categories.

Yahtzee

The commercialized American version of the dice game, marketed by Hasbro. Uses 13 categories and has some rule differences from Scandinavian Yatzy.

Yahtzee Bonus

In Yahtzee (not standard Yatzy), an additional 100 points awarded for rolling a second or subsequent five-of-a-kind in the same game, provided the Yahtzee category has already been scored with 50 points.

Yatzy (Category)

The highest-scoring single category: all five dice showing the same number. Worth a fixed 50 points. The hardest combination to achieve and the namesake of the game.

Yatzy (Game)

A dice game for two or more players using five dice and a 15-category scorecard. Players take turns rolling dice (up to three times per turn) and filling in scoring categories to maximize their total score.

Quick Reference Table

This glossary covers the core vocabulary of Yatzy. As you play more, these terms will become second nature. Refer back whenever you encounter an unfamiliar term!

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