Snake Eyes is the result of rolling two dice with only one pip on each dice as a result.
It is one of the variations of Dice games, also referred to as “Two dice with one pip on top of each”.
These dices are the lowest roll a player can get while playing any variation of dice, and the pips look like a pair of eyes on them, which gave it the name Snake Eyes Dice.
This is also considered a sign of bad luck because of the minimum score. Some house rules even give a bonus on these scores, as the odds of getting it is 1 in 36.
History of Snake Eyes Dice
In the 1930s, the term “snake eyes” found its roots and became a popular expression in dice games like craps.
The phrase “snake eyes” refers to the outcome of rolling two dice and getting only one pip on each die.
The name is likely inspired by the snake-like appearance of that lone dot on each die.
The connection between a low roll and the snake’s negative image might also contribute to the name.
While the origins of snake eyes dice date back to ancient Roman times, the term as we know it took shape in the 1930s.
It has since found its way into various aspects of culture, including literature, music, and film.
Interestingly, the concept goes even further back to Ancient Roman times when they initially called it “Dogs,” signifying two ones.
Over time, it evolved into “the dog throw.” However, the term “Snake Eyes” emerged in modern times because referring to it as “the dog throw” was considered disrespectful to many cultures.
How to play Snake Eyes?
Snake Eyes is a simple and fun game with numerous variations made for both adults and children.
There are rules of the game are simple but need to be grasped before playing to enjoy with friends and family.
In this article, we will discuss how to play and master the snake eyes dice game.
Requirements to Play Snake Eyes Dice:
There are certain things you need to have to play Snake Eyes.
- A pair of dice
- Pen
- Paper
- More than one player.
Gameplay:
There are certain things about the gameplay, which are given below.
- Any player can take the first turn.
- Roll the dice and look for numbers on both dice.
- Accumulate the score and roll again.
- Turn will shift to the next player only when you get a pip on both or a single dice.
- Every player will get a turn in a circle.
- You can keep on rolling as long as you do not get a zero.
- After completing your turn, record the sum of your all numbers and write it down.
Games Scoring Rules
Now that you know how the game works and how to take turns to play. Now, we will talk about the rules to keep in mind while playing the game.
- Roll your dice and look at your scores. If you did not get anyone, and still, you do not want to play further. You can just give both dice to the next player and note down your score on the scoresheet.
- In case you do not get any ones on your roll, you can risk your scores and play further by rolling again.
- You can play again and again, but the catch is that once you get one, all your points will be wasted from that turn. Let’s suppose you are at round 4 playing; your points from round 4 will be considered zero, but your cumulative score in previous rounds will remain.
- In case you have a snake eye (two ones on both dice), all your points from the whole game will be zero. Whether you are at rounds 4,5, or 6, all cumulative points will be zero.
- You can keep rolling until you get a One on any of your dice and keep adding the scores to your scorecard.
- Make sure to write down all scores of each round on a scorecard. Accumulate more and more scores to get a win.
- The more you play the game, the risk of losing will also increase as both are directly proportional to each other.
Snake Eyes Scorecard:
You can create your custom scorecard sheet to note down all the scores. It depends on the number of players and no of rounds you are going to play.
Scorecards only depend on how you want to save data. One of the classic scorecards used for the game is given below.
| Index# | S | N | A | K | E | Total |
| Player 1 | ||||||
| Player 2 | ||||||
| Player 3 | ||||||
| Player 4 |
Winning the game:
The winner will be decided who will earn a higher score in the fixed rounds. There are a few criteria you can make to select a winner.
- The first player to reach 100 scores will be the winner. No matter how many rounds are played.
- The first player to score more runs than anybody in 5 rounds will be in the round. No matter the scores, just the highest will win
- These criteria can vary from person to person. Some people just play one quick round and decide the winner.
Variations of Snake Eye Dice game:
Many variations have been developed in the game over time in different areas. Some of them are discussed below, and you can also learn and play.
1. Snake Eyes Dice Yard Game
In this game, a circle is drawn with the help of a rope. Players take turns by throwing the dice inside the circle.
Only those players whose Dice remains in the circle with no zero scores will be considered.
If you get any zeros or the dice goes out of the circle, you lose points, and your turn goes to the next player.
You need a rope (3Ft/91cm), paper, a pen, a pair of Dice, and more than one player. You need to stand at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from the circle.
2. Snake Eyes Card Game:
In this game, each player gets a couple of cards to play with. Place your card on the ground and roll dice over it.
If the sum of your dice is your card number, too. You turn that card face down. Keep rolling until you get all the card numbers on your dice.
The first person to get all the cards face down wins the game.
3. Snake Eyes Drinking Game
In this game, players play a regular game, but the catch is you involve alcohol here, too.
One cup is given to each player, and if any player gets a Snake Eye (double zero), he will have to drink the alcohol.
The game will continue until everyone quits, leaving one as the winner.
Conclusion
Snake Eye is a very fun and entertaining game to play both for your family and friends.
Winning is based on luck, and there is no need to worry if you do not win immediately.
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