YambPro

YambPro rules guide

How to play Yamb: dice, columns and scoring

Roll five dice, keep the ones you need and choose where to record your score. This guide covers the four-column Classic game in YambPro's solo mode.

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Prefer paper? Get the free printable score sheet.

Your first turn in four steps

  1. Roll all five dice. You have up to three rolls in a turn, including this first roll.
  2. Keep useful dice. Select dice to hold them, then roll the others. You can change which dice you hold before the next roll.
  3. Choose an available box. You can score after the first, second or third roll. For the Announce column, choose your category before the second roll.
  4. Record one score. Scoring ends the turn. That box is filled permanently, even if it scores zero. Begin the next turn with a fresh roll.

Classic has 12 scoring categories in each of four columns, so a completed sheet takes 48 turns. Aim for the highest final total.

What the four columns mean

Down

Fill from top to bottom: Ones through Sixes, then Max, Min, Straight, Full House, Poker and Yamb. Only the next empty category is available.

Up

Fill the same categories in reverse order. Start with Yamb, then Poker and Full House, working upward until Ones is last.

Free

Choose any empty category. This column gives you a place to use a good roll that does not fit the next box in Down or Up.

Announce

Choose a category before your second roll, either before rolling or just after the first roll. Only that announced category is available in this column for the turn, and it must still be empty. The other columns follow their usual rules.

YambPro Classic scoring reference

Scores for five dice in the Classic solo game
CategoryHow to scoreExample
Ones to SixesAdd only dice showing that number.2, 5, 5, 5, 6 in Fives = 15.
Max and MinAdd all five dice.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = 20.
Straight1, 2, 3, 4, 5 scores 35; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 scores 45. Dice order does not matter.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 = 45.
Full HouseExactly three of one number and two of another: add all five dice, then add 30.3, 3, 3, 6, 6 = 51.
PokerAt least four matching dice: add all five dice, including the fifth die, then add 40.4, 4, 4, 4, 2 = 58.
YambFive matching dice: add all five dice, then add 50.6, 6, 6, 6, 6 = 80.

If your dice do not satisfy Straight, Full House, Poker or Yamb, that category scores zero. A number category with no matching dice also scores zero. Five identical dice count as Poker or Yamb, but do not count as a Full House.

A worked example: keep three fives

A roll of five, five, five, two and six The first three dice show five and are highlighted to keep. The last two dice show two and six and can be rerolled. 55526
Keep the three fives. Reroll the two and six if you want to try for a stronger combination.

The first roll already gives you 15 in Fives, if that box is available. If the rerolled dice both become twos, you have 5, 5, 5, 2, 2: a 49-point Full House (19 + 30). If both become fives, you have a 75-point Yamb (25 + 50).

To target Full House in the Announce column, announce Full House after the first roll and before rerolling. A missed Full House is worth zero there. Always check which boxes are available before choosing your plan.

Try this in a game

Common first-game questions

Do I have to use all three rolls?

No. Record a score after any roll when you have an available box you want to fill.

Can I use the same dice in two boxes?

No. Each turn fills exactly one box. The next score needs a new turn.

Does a zero leave the box open?

No. A zero is a completed entry. It advances the Down or Up column just like a positive score.

Can I play away from a screen?

Yes. Bring five dice and print a Yamb score sheet. Use one sheet per player and agree on the scoring rules before you start.