The Going to Boston dice game is so fun and easy to learn, your family will be delighted to add it onto your list of favorite dice games. Going to Boston is traditionally played for stakes, but it is not strictly necessary. Of course, we simply play with chips or tokens–high stakes indeed!
Keep reading for the full instructions, plus my tips for making game play extra fun. At the bottom of the post you can get free, printable instructions, if you want! (Note: this post includes affiliate links which may earn commission.)
How to Play Going to Boston
What you need:
- 3 dice. The more colorful the better. We love these vintage-colored dice and kids love to have their own color while playing.
- 2 or more players. At least four players makes the best game.
- Chips, coins or other objects for "betting" (note: playing with chips is optional) We have a set of these chips and they have been so useful for all sorts of games!
- Pen and paper to keep score.
Objective: to collect the largest number of chips
INSTRUCTIONS
- Set-up
Give everyone an equal number of chips. Decide how many rounds will be played. We like to play at least five rounds.
- Determine the Stakes
Before each round, players add a chip to the center of the table. This is the "pot."
- Decide Who Goes First
Each player rolls a die. The highest roll wins and begins the game. Play continues clockwise.
- Take Your Turn
Each player has three rolls of the dice on their turn. On the first roll, they keep the highest number and re-roll the other two dice.
With the second roll, they again set aside the highest number. On the third roll they add up the three dice. The total is their score for the first round. - Finish the Round
After everyone has had one turn, the round is complete. The player with the highest score wins the pot.
- Game Ends
Play for the set number of rounds; whoever has collected the greatest number or chips wins. If not playing for stakes, keep track of everyone's score and the player with the highest total score after the set number of rounds wins.
Tips for Playing!
Dice games are essential on-the-go boredom busters. Always keep a handful of dice in your handbag so you can quickly distract the kids while you are out and about. Going to Boston dice game is perfect for this!
Dice games, with their minimal supplies are fantastic for family dinner fun. Yes, you can play games during mealtimes!
Dice games are excellent for low-stress mathematics practice. Switch up the scoring to get in different kinds of math practice. For example:
- Add the first two dice and multiply by the third; or
- Add the first two dice and subtract the third; or
- Add the two highest rolls and subtract the lowest; or
- Multiply all three dice!
More fun dice games and on-the-go ideas:
:Donna says
Erica, I really love traditional, NON-screen games 🙂 Did you know there are actual board game conventions? And if you know who Debbie Ohi is (PB author/illustrator), you'll enjoy knowing she's REALLY into board games...check out this page where she posted some book/game pairings...she's so clever 😀 Just scroll down: https://boardgamegeek.com/blog/463/inkygirl-insert-exciting-board-gaming-blog-tagline
Erica says
Thanks for the tip.
Erin K. says
I love this site and all your great games, thank you! You mention keeping dice in your handbag to pull out on the go for busting boredom, which is a great idea. I was wondering if you've thought about making a PDF of all your dice game rules in index size or something that we could put on a ring and keep in our handbag as well. I have a hard time remembering rules to games on the spot and it would be awesome to have all the options right there with the dice.
Erica says
That is a great idea! I don't have time to do that right now, but am writing down the idea for later.