Martinetti (A Fun & Easy Dice Game for All Ages)

Ever found yourself bored on a family game night, scrolling through your phone while everyone argues over what game to play next?

Well, let me introduce you to Martinetti, a dice game that’s guaranteed to turn those yawns into cheers and maybe a few friendly rivalries.

I’ve seen it turn the quietest of nights into epic tales of luck and strategy. So, grab a seat, and let’s dive into the fun that is Martinetti!

The Gist of Martinetti: Roll, Advance, Celebrate!

Objective:

Climb to space 12, do a quick victory dance, and then make your way back down to 1 ( where you started) before anyone else does. Sounds easy, right? Well, buckle up!

• Why It Rocks: Combining the nail-biting elements of chance with just a sprinkle of strategy, Martinetti keeps you on your toes. There’s something about rolling those dice and crossing your fingers that you roll the numbers you need that just hits different.
• A Little Brag?: The first time I played, I thought, “Piece of cake, I’ve got this.” 5 minutes later, I was still trying to roll a 1 to start. Let’s just say, it was a humbling experience.

What You’ll Need:

Before we kick things off, make sure you’ve got the essentials:

• Dice: 3 standard dice. Color-coordinate if you’re feeling fancy.
• Board: Got a printer? Great! No printer? No problem! A piece of paper and a marker will do. But to make life a bit easier for you, I have a printable Martinetti board that you can use; and it’s F-R-E-E)
• Counters: Colored dice are a game-changer for easy tracking and less “wait, which piece was mine?” moments. You can use beans, bingo chips, slips of colored paper, whatever.  But, each player needs their own designated counter to keep track of where they are on the board
• Players: At least 2 people who are ready for a good time. More players = more chaos (the good kind).

Player 1	Player 2	Player 3
Blue Token	Red Token	Green Token

The Rules of Moving Through the Board:

The beauty of Martinetti lies in its simplicity and the “oh-so-close” moments it generously provides. When it’s your turn, you throw the 3 dice and move forward on the board in order – according to the numbers on the dice that you roll.  No skipping.  

• Starting Off: To kick things off, roll all three dice. But, you’ve got to roll a 1 — or at least a combination of dice when added and subtracted will equal 1) . Trust me, there’s no better way to test your patience than this first step.
• Keep it moving:  If you roll a 1 (or can make a move no matter where you are on the board), you can roll again.  If you can’t move forward, then your turn is over.  Then the player to your left goes next.
• Combo Moves: You can use the numbers you’ve thrown individually or by adding 2 or 3 of them together (NO SUBTRACTING). Got a roll like 1-1-1? Use it as a 1 and a 2 by combining the first two ones (1 + 1=2). This game’s all about using what you’ve got – a bit like cooking without a recipe.

Here’s an example to make things clearer:

1. Roll 1: Justin Thyme rolls a 2-1-6.  He can move to space 1.  And because he has a 2, he can also slide into space 2.  But, he can’t use 6.  That’s be skipping.  But, he was able to advance, so he rolls again.
2. Roll 2: He rolls a 6-2-1.  Now Justin Thyme can move to space 3, because 2 + 1 = 3 (Yay!).  But he can’t use the 6 or the 6.  But, since he advanced, he can roll again to see if he can get some combination of numbers that’ll land him on the 4 space.  Remember, Justin can use individual numbers OR the sum of 2 numbers to move forward on the board.
3. Roll 3: Justin Thyme rolls a 2-6-5.  He can’t move forward on the board.  There’s no way for him to get 4.  So now Justin’s turn is over.  And now it’s Patti Cake’s turn (the next player in the clockwise position).

Additional Rules to Remember:

• All three dice are rolled at the same time 🎲🎲🎲
• Each number can only be used once per roll
• You can add 2 or 3 numbers together (like turning 5-4-3 into 12)
• When you reach space 12, turn around and head back to win! 🏆

Mixing It Up: Martinetti Dice Game Variations!

If you’re like me, you know that sometimes, even your favorite snack can taste bland if you eat it too much.

Same with games, right?

That’s where shaking up the rules of Martinetti comes in handy. So, let’s talk about a couple of fun twists to keep our dice game as zesty as a lemon!

One-and-Done Roll Variation

• The Scoop: You get one roll. That’s it. Talk. About. Pressure.
• The Twist: Makes you feel like a high roller in Vegas, except the stakes are bragging rights, not your savings.
• Strategy Time: Plot out your move like a master chess player. Except here, it’s all about the roll, baby!

Single Space Shimmy Variation

• The Drill: Advance one space at a time. Like taking baby steps. Or like me trying to sneak a midnight snack without making noise.
• The Pace: Slow and steady might win the race, but boy, does it make for a long game.
• The Game Plan: Think tortoise, not hare. Unless you’re the hare. Then, um, good luck!

Pros and Cons of Martinetti

Every game has it’s ups and downs.  Marinetti is not different.  Let’s take a peek what makes this game tick:

Pros of Martinetti	Cons of Martinetti
All Smiles: Nothing but laughs until fate throws you a curveball.	Luck Be a Lady: When she’s good, she’s good. When she’s not, oh boy.
Easy-Peasy: It’s so simple even I got it quick, which says a lot.	The Long Haul: Could last longer than a kid’s birthday party.
The More, The Merrier: Perfect for bringing the clan together.
Sneaky Math: Sharpen your math skills on the sly.

Rolling to Victory: Winning Tips and Strategies

This little gem of a dice game will have you hooked from the first roll.   And sure, it’s about having fun.  But, it’s also nice to win, right?  So, here’s a few tips that’ll help you out in that area:

• Know Your Numbers: Keep track like a pro. Or like someone who’s bad at it but tries really hard.
• Combine with Care: Like mixing the perfect drink, it’s all about the right combination.
• Resource Ruler: Got a good roll? Use it like a golden ticket – wisely!

Why You Should Give Martinetti a Try 🌟

• It’s a perfect blend of strategy and luck that keeps you on the edge of your seat
• The rules are easy to learn, making it accessible for players of all ages
• You can spice things up with different variations to keep the game fresh and exciting
• Martinetti is engaging for everyone, from beginners to seasoned players

Other Fun and Easy Dice Games to Play 🎲🎉

• Pig: A classic dice game where players race to reach a certain total points threshold
• 50 Dice Game: A fast-paced game where players aim to reach 50 points while avoiding doubles
• Left Center Right (LCR): A luck-based game perfect for parties and gatherings
• Drop Dead: A risk-taking game where players push their luck to score the most points

Hold On! Don’t Forget Your FREE Printable Martinetti Board

No board? No worries! I’ve got you covered with a handy printable version. Just click the link below, print it out, and you’ll be ready to roll in no time! 🖨️😄

Click here to snag your FREE printable Martinetti board.

Don’t forget to grab some colorful tokens or playing pieces to keep track of your progress.

Personally, I love using M&Ms – they add a tasty twist to the game! 🍬 But you can use anything from coins to Lego bricks. Get creative and make it your own.

Your Turn

Has Martinetti (or any other game, for that matter?) ever turned a quiet night into a wild, dice-throwing frenzy for you? We want to hear about your most memorable game night chaos!