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.

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Question

Can I put in more than one token when the pot is empty?

Community Answer

Yes, you can.

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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.

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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.

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Question

Where can I buy a dreidel?

Community Answer

You can buy a dreidel at Party City, eBay, or Amazon.

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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.

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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.

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Question

Do players start with tokens?

Community Answer

Yes, each player starts with tokens.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.).

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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.

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Question

Are all dreidels wooden?

Community Answer

No. Many on the market are plastic, because its cheaper.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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