Pig

👥 2–8 players 📍 Indoor📍 Anywhere ⚡ Calm 🧩 Simple ⏱ 15-30 minutes 🎂 Ages 4+

Quick Pitch

Pig is the simplest classic push-your-luck dice game.

Equipment Needed

  • 1 standard six-sided die
  • Paper scorecard (one for tracking scores)
  • Pencil or pen

Setup

  1. Each player records their name on the scorecard
  2. Set a target score (typically 50, 100, or 150 points depending on desired game length)
  3. Determine play order
  4. First player begins

Rules

Objective

Be the first player to reach the target score.

Gameplay

Turn Structure:

  1. Roll the die
  2. If you roll 2-6: Add that number to your turn total. Decide: take the points or roll again?
  3. If you roll a 1: Your turn ends immediately. You score zero points this turn (you "pig out")
  4. When you stop voluntarily: Add your turn total to your overall score
  5. Pass the die to the next player

Simple Example Turn:

  • Roll a 4: Turn total = 4. Do I stop or roll again?
  • Roll a 3: Turn total = 7. Do I stop or roll again?
  • Roll a 2: Turn total = 9. Do I stop or roll again?
  • Roll a 1: Turn ends. You score 0 points (pig out). Nothing from this turn counts.

Critical Rule: A single roll of 1 loses all points accumulated during that turn. You do not go negative; you simply gain no points.

Scoring

  • Roll 2-6: Add to your turn total
  • Roll 1: Lose all points from the current turn, turn ends

Expert Player

Tips

  1. Probability matters: As your turn total increases, the risk grows. The chance of rolling a 1 is always 1 in 6 (about 16.7%)
  2. Risk curves: A turn total of 5-10 is safe; 15-20 carries moderate risk; 25+ is risky
  3. Early game: Be aggressive and roll multiple times to build points quickly
  4. Late game: When approaching the target score, lock in points earlier (stop at 20-25 points) to avoid catastrophic farkling
  5. Lead management: If you're ahead, play conservatively. If you're behind, take bigger risks
  6. Expected value: Rolling again when you have 20+ points is mathematically risky (5 in 6 rolls multiply your points by average 3.5)
  7. Psychological edge: If an opponent just pigged out, they may take fewer risks; capitalize with steady accumulation

Variations

  • No Pig Out: Some versions allow players to reroll a 1, but if you roll 1 twice, you lose everything
  • Two Dice Version: Roll two dice instead of one. Roll a 1 on either die and you lose the turn. Add both dice together otherwise
  • Double Pig: Two 1s in a single roll (if using two dice) loses your score but doesn't end your turn
  • Pig to a Number: Instead of reaching a target, first player to score on a target number (e.g., exactly 100) wins
  • Swine: A 2-die variant where rolling doubles grants a bonus roll
  • Speed Pig: First player to reach target in shortest number of turns wins (not first to score target)
Learn More — History & Origins

History & Origins

Pig is believed to have originated in America, possibly in educational contexts to teach probability and risk assessment. Its simplicity makes it ideal for teaching game theory concepts. The game embodies the pure essence of push-your-luck mechanics in the most stripped-down form possible.

Cultural Context

Pig is often used in probability education and game theory classes. Its minimal rules make it a perfect introduction to push-your-luck mechanics and risk assessment. Many players who learn Pig then graduate to more complex games like Farkle or Yahtzee. The game's charm lies in its ability to create dramatic tension with only a single die.

See Also