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Learn how to roll the dice and win with our complete instructions
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- Setup |
- Gameplay |
- Winning the Game |
- Rule Variations |
- FAQ |
- Video |
- Expert Q&A |
- Tips |
- Warnings
If you’re looking for a fun but simple game to play with your friends, Ship Captain Crew is the perfect choice. During the game, you’ll roll dice trying to get the highest score, but you have to roll numbers in a specific order before earning points. All you need are 5 dice and a group of people, so keep reading for all the rules to get you rolling, plus some exciting variations to try out.
How to Play Ship Captain Crew
On your turn, roll 5 six-sided dice up to 3 times. Set aside a 6 (Ship), 5 (Captain), and 4 (Crew) in that order, and score points for the value of the 2 leftover Cargo dice. Whoever scores the most points during a round wins the game.
Steps
Section 1 of 5:
Setup
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Set out 5 six-sided dice for the players. You need at least 2 players for a game of Ship Captain Crew, but it’s the most fun with more people. Use the same set of dice for all the players, or give each person their own.
- When you roll the dice, a 6 is known as the Ship , a 5 is the Captain , and the 4 is the Crew . The other 2 dice become the Cargo and their total count as points when the round is over.
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Choose a random player to go first. Take turns rolling a single die, and whoever gets the highest result takes the first turn. If there’s a tie, have all the tied players keep rolling the die until someone gets a higher value. [1] X Research source
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Section 2 of 5:
Gameplay
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Roll the 5 dice up to 3 times trying to get a Ship, Captain, and Crew. When you roll a Ship (6), Captain (5), or Crew (4), they get set aside. However, you must take them in order, so you must roll a Ship before a Captain, and a Captain before a Crew. If you don’t get Ship, Captain, or Crew on your first roll, then roll the remaining dice to try again. You may roll the dice a total of 3 times.
- For example, if you rolled a 5 or 4 but didn’t get a 6, then you can’t keep any of the dice.
- If you aren’t able to get Ship, Captain, and Crew within your 3 rolls, then your turn is over and you automatically score 0 points for the round.
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Reroll cargo if you want to try increasing your score. If you’re able to set aside a Ship, Captain, and Crew within 1 or 2 rolls, then you can choose to stop with the Cargo you have or use your rerolls for a chance at a higher score. If you choose to risk it, roll both dice and keep the result, even if it’s lower. [2] X Research source
- The lowest number you can roll is 2, and the highest you can roll is 12. If you have 5 or lower on your Cargo dice, there are good odds that you’ll get a higher number if you reroll.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get the rolls that I want?Jess Hamlet is a Board, Card, and Dice Game Expert based in Springfield, Missouri. She is the owner of Village Meeple, Springfield’s first Board Game Cafe. The cafe charges an admission fee that grants customers access to over 420 board games while they enjoy the atmosphere. They also serve food and drink, sell board games and accessories, and host private events. They also host events of their own, and put on teaching sessions for a variety of tabletop games for members of the community to come learn. Their board game shop hosts a wide variety of products, including party games, small box games, kid-friendly games, and dice games. Village Meeple champions the growth of in-person gaming, educational encounters, and table-top adventure in the community. Jess received an MBA from Southwest Baptist University and a Bachelor’s in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training from Missouri State University.If you want specific rolls, there are methods like weighted dice or controlled rolling techniques that can be used or learned. But these methods are generally considered unfair and unreliable. What everyone wants is fair play, and the best method is to let the roll of the dice be up to chance.
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Video
Tips
- There isn’t a lot of strategy to the game since it relies on the luck of a dice roll. Just relax and have some fun when you play!Thanks
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Warnings
- If you’re playing Ship Captain Crew as a drinking game, pace yourself and drink responsibly because rounds can go by quickly.Thanks
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References
About This Article
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