Tie Game

Dear Yahtzee Manifesto,

I was playing Yahtzee last week with my son and the ended up as a tie – 234 to 234! There is nothing in the instruction book that covers this type of situation. What the proper way to determine the winner? Thank you for your time.

Jim Jakowski
Kanata, Ontario


Dear Jim, 

There is no “proper” way to determine the winner in the case of a draw. It all depends on the circumstances of the game in question and, most importantly, the “house rules” that the players have agreed upon prior to the start of play. Of course there is no answer to be found in the corporate instruction booklet – you need to look beyond the walls that are blocking your view of the truth.

In most cases if the game ends in a draw, no winner is declared and you settle for the tie. Remember, Yahtzee is not only about conquering your opponents in an eruption of points. If that is your only conception of the game, then there is much more you have yet to discover. If, however, the sister-kissing game was during a tournament’s knock-out stages, then we most certainly do need to decide a winner. As in most things, simplicity is the best option. Roll one additional turn and the player with the highest score takes the cake.

However you decide to settle a tie, if it requires settling at all, take time to contemplate the true nature of reality. Thanks for the letter, Jim!

The Yahtzee Manifesto

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