Pig (Dice Game)

John Scarne first described Pig in his 1945 book Scarne on Dice. The game teaches probability and risk assessment through the simplest of mechanics: one die, one decision at a time. Every roll forces a choice between greed and caution. Roll again for more points, or bank what you have before a 1 wipes everything out. Play Pig right now in your browser and test your nerve.

1. Choose your game mode: play against the CPU, or gather 2 to 4 friends for a local match.
2. Select a difficulty level if playing against the CPU. You can also toggle the 2-dice variant and adjust the target score.
3. On your turn, click the Roll button to roll the die.
4. If you roll a 2 through 6, that number adds to your turn score. You can roll again or click Hold to bank.
5. If you roll a 1, your turn score drops to zero and your turn ends immediately. This is called a 'Pig out.'
6. Click Hold to add your turn score to your total score and pass the turn to the next player.
7. The first player to reach the target score (default 100) wins the game.
8. In the 2-dice variant, rolling a single 1 still ends your turn. Rolling double 1s (snake eyes) wipes your entire total score to zero.

• Each player takes turns rolling one standard 6-sided die.
• A roll of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 adds that value to the player's current turn score.
• A roll of 1 ends the turn immediately and the turn score is lost. This is called a 'Pig out.'
• A player may choose to Hold at any point. The turn score transfers to the total score, and the turn passes to the next player.
• The first player whose total score reaches or exceeds the target (default 100) wins.
• In the 2-dice variant, both dice are rolled. If either die shows a 1, the turn ends with no banking. If both dice show 1 (snake eyes), the player's total score resets to zero.
• Players cannot skip their turn. They must roll at least once before holding.

• The mathematically optimal 'hold at 20' strategy: keep rolling until your turn score reaches 20 or more, then bank. Computer scientist Todd Neller proved this threshold maximizes expected points per turn in the standard game.
• Adjust your threshold based on the score gap. If you are far behind, push for 25 or 30 points per turn to catch up. If you are ahead, bank earlier at 15 to protect your lead.
• Watch the opponent's total score. When an opponent is close to 100, you must take bigger risks. Rolling conservatively when behind guarantees a loss.
• In the 2-dice variant, the hold threshold shifts higher. Since the average roll sums to 8 (not 3.5), you can afford to push toward 25 or 28 before banking.
• Never let emotions drive your rolling. After a Pig out, players tend to overcompensate by banking too early. Stick to your threshold and trust the probabilities.

• Two-Dice Pig: Roll two dice instead of one. A single 1 on either die ends the turn. Double 1s (snake eyes) wipe your entire total score to zero, adding a brutal layer of risk.
• Pig with a Target: Adjust the winning score. Lower targets (50) create fast, aggressive games. Higher targets (200) reward consistency and patience.
• Hog: A published variant where players roll one die per opponent. All 1s must appear for a Pig out, but any non-1 results are summed.

• Pig distills the push-your-luck genre to its purest form. One die. One button. One decision at a time.
• Games finish in under 10 minutes, making it perfect for quick sessions between tasks.
• The emotional swing of losing 25 unbanked points to a single roll of 1 creates genuine tension that strategy games often lack.
• Children grasp the rules instantly, while adults appreciate the probability theory running underneath.
• Try our other dice-based games like Ludo and Snakes and Ladders for more family fun.

Play Pig directly in your browser with no downloads or sign-ups. Challenge the CPU at three difficulty levels, or gather up to four friends for a local multiplayer match. Toggle the 2-dice variant for extra risk. Adjust the target score for shorter or longer games. Roll the die and find out if luck is on your side.

Pig is the purest push-your-luck dice game ever designed. One die, one decision, and a constant battle between greed and caution. Roll the die, bank your points, and race to 100. Start playing Pig now and see if you know when to stop.

• Pig (Dice Game) - Wikipedia
• Optimal Play of the Dice Game Pig - Todd W. Neller & Clifton G.M. Presser