Martinetti

👥 2–6 players 📍 Indoor📍 Anywhere ⚡ Calm 🧩 Simple ⏱ 20-30 minutes 🎂 Ages 4+

Quick Pitch

Martinetti is a simple dice racing game where players roll a single die and must hit each number from 1 to 12 in order before their opponents do.

Hook

One die. Numbers 1 through 12 on your scorecard. Roll a 1 first, then you need a 2, then a 3, and so on. The early numbers come quickly — then you hit 7 and suddenly the die just won't cooperate. Martinetti is pure luck, pure frustration, and pure fun. Great for any age, zero strategy required.

Equipment Needed

  • 1 standard six-sided die
  • Paper scorecard (showing numbers 1-12 or 1-10)
  • Pencil or pen

Setup

  1. Each player gets a scorecard listing numbers 1 through 12 (or 1-10)
  2. All players start needing to roll a 1
  3. Determine play order
  4. First player rolls first

Rules

Objective

Be the first player to roll through all numbers 1-12 in sequence.

Turn Structure

  1. Roll the die
  2. Check if it matches your next required number:
    • If yes: Advance to next number
    • If no: Your turn ends
  3. Continue rolling: After successfully rolling your required number:
    • Roll again immediately
    • Continue until you fail to match
  4. Pass the die to next player

Example Turn

Player needs 5:

  • Roll: 3 → Doesn't match. Turn ends.

Next player needs 7:

  • Roll: 7 → Matches! Now needs 8. Roll again.
  • Roll: 8 → Matches! Now needs 9. Roll again.
  • Roll: 4 → Doesn't match 9. Turn ends.

Expert Player

Tips

  1. No strategy: Purely luck-based
  2. Early game: Numbers 1-6 are likely; players advance quickly
  3. Late game: Numbers 7-12 are less likely; players progress slowly
  4. Catching up: Players can catch up late when others are stuck on high numbers

Variations

  • 1-10 version: Faster game with fewer numbers
  • 1-20 version: Longer game with more numbers
  • Two dice: Use two dice and roll the sum instead
Learn More — History & Origins

History & Origins

Martinetti is an American folk dice game with unclear origins. It may be a variation of Round the Clock adapted for single-die play. The game remains popular in casual gaming circles and family game nights.

Cultural Context

Martinetti exemplifies the tradition of simple, accessible dice games that require no special equipment beyond a single die. Its sequential number-matching mechanic makes it an excellent introduction to dice games for young children, while still providing suspense for older players as the required numbers become harder to roll. The game is a common fixture at family game nights across North America.

See Also