Q&A for How to Play Dreidel

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  • Question
    If I get gimmel and take all the coins from the pot, do I have to put a token back in because the pot is empty?
    Lil\' Bea
    Community Answer
    No, once all of the tokens in the pot are collected, the next person to play will then put in another token. In some versions of this game, all players will put in one of their tokens.
  • Question
    Can I put in more than one token when the pot is empty?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    How many tokens do I need to start with?
    Community Answer
    Split the amount of tokens you have evenly among the players. Deal it like you would deal out a deck of cards.
  • Question
    Does the dreidel have to be a certain kind of dreidel?
    Community Answer
    It only has to have all four sides, which are the nun, gimmel, hay and shin. If the dreidel has all of the sides, then you should be good to go.
  • Question
    Where can I buy a dreidel?
    Community Answer
    You can buy a dreidel at Party City, eBay, or Amazon.
  • Question
    How many players are needed to play dreidel?
    Community Answer
    At least two because it's not fun to play by yourself. Even numbers are best.
  • Question
    What are the least amount of tokens you can have? What's the most?
    Community Answer
    You need at least 3 for each player, so if you had 5 players, you'd need 15 in all. There is no limit for the largest number of tokens, as long as you have plenty of time. You just need the number of tokens to be divisible by the number of players.
  • Question
    Do players start with tokens?
    Community Answer
    Yes, each player starts with tokens.
  • Question
    What happens when the pit is empty?
    Community Answer
    When the pit or pot is empty, everyone puts one of their tokens (or what you're using) in the pit or pot.
  • Question
    When I get a gimbal and the pot is empty, who puts the back in to refill the pieces?
    Community Answer
    You take a "loan" form the token bank. So basically just use someone else's token. This can happen once and then you're out.
  • Question
    Are there a certain number of tokens?
    Community Answer
    No, there isn't. You can use exactly the amount you want. As long as the number of tokens is divisible between the players, you're fine. But also, each player should get at least more than 1 token to play a fairly longer round.
  • Question
    How can I make a dreidel without paper?
    Community Answer
    Most dreidels are made out of wood or plastic, but you can really use any material that can be shaped (metal, ceramic, clay, etc.).
  • Question
    What if there is an odd amount of betting tokens when I roll a hay?
    Community Answer
    Round up. So for instance, if there are 5 tokens in the pot, take 3 of them from the pot.
  • Question
    Are all dreidels wooden?
    Community Answer
    No. Many on the market are plastic, because its cheaper.
  • Question
    How do I bet in the game?
    Community Answer
    You can choose to bet various objects, most commonly being gelt, or wrapped chocolate coins given out on Chanukah.
  • Question
    How do you determine who goes first and in what order do the players go in?
    Menucha Prinsloo
    Community Answer
    It doesn't matter. It is probably simplest to start with the youngest/oldest, and go clockwise around the table.
  • Question
    What is the age limit of players?
    Menucha Prinsloo
    Community Answer
    There is absolutely no age limit. Anyone can feel free to play, no matter their age. Mostly little children or groups of young adults enjoy the game, but anyone can for sure!
  • Question
    Is there a solitaire version of how to play?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    No, to my knowledge there is no solitary version. This may be because the dreidl tradition, like many other Jewish traditions, is not meant to be done alone but in the company of others. This may be particularly important in the case of dreidl which symbolizes clandestine Jewish learning because Jewish learning is traditionally done in pairs. Each person holds the other person accountable and offers a different perspective.
  • Question
    Is there more to the game?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    The rules of the game itself are quite simple, but ultimately, the purpose of the game is to get people discuss the story of Chanuke and teach one another.
  • Question
    If I have 2 dreidels, do I spin both on a turn or do I use just one?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    People come up with different rules and ways to play the game of dreidel. In my experience, the simplest way to pay the game is by spinning one at a time.
  • Question
    Is this a game to be played only by single people?
    Animal2muchlover
    Community Answer
    No, you can play it with everyone, not only single people. However, if you wanted to, you could play it with only single people.
  • Question
    Does each person have their own dreidel? Or the table has only one?
    Animal2muchlover
    Community Answer
    It is mainly played with one dreidel but each person can have one if they would like to because you all take turns in the game. So, it does not really matter. Although, you could play it with more than one if people don't feel comfortable using the same dreidel (for example, during Covid-19).
  • Question
    What would happen if I have a dreidel with a pey(פ), what would happen if I land on it?
    Community Answer
    Pey occupies the same role as shin. There are variations in the rules but at least how my family plays, you would need to put one in the central pot.
  • Question
    Do I have to put gelt in on every turn?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    No, traditionally, you only need to put gelt it if you land on Shin or the pot has been cleared and everyone puts one in to restart the pot.
  • Question
    Can I use multiple dreidels in a single game?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    Dreidl is a very "heymish" (homey) game, which means that you can just make up your own house rules.
  • Question
    How many tokens does each player start with?
    Benjamin M.
    Top Answerer
    There is no single answer. It varies entirely by the chanuke gelt (chocolate money) you have available.
  • Question
    How do you decide the order of play (i.e., who goes first, second, etc.)?
    Vivian
    Community Answer
    The order of the players doesn’t matter, it is simply your choice in deciding. Maybe go in a circle so you don’t get mixed up in the order easily.
  • Question
    Can I shoot dice instead?
    Community Answer
    The point of the game is to spin the Dreidel. You technically can make up a game with dice, but then it is not really a game of Dreidel.
  • Question
    When you take a loan from another player, then how do you repay the loan?
    Community Answer
    Once you have more than you took for the loan, you can pay back from where you took the loan.
  • Question
    Is it proper for a non-Jewish person to play with a dreidel?
    Cbk633
    Community Answer
    Definitely! I am Jewish, and last Hanukkah we had my Christian friend over and we all played dreidel together.
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