What is the maximum possible Yatzy score?

The theoretical maximum score in standard Yatzy is 374 points. This requires: Ones=5, Twos=10, Threes=15, Fours=20, Fives=25, Sixes=30 (upper total=105, bonus=50), One Pair=12, Two Pairs=22, Three of a Kind=18, Four of a Kind=24, Small Straight=15, Large Straight=20, Full House=28, Chance=30, Yatzy=50. Total: 105+50+219 = 374.

How does Full House scoring work in Yatzy?

In standard Yatzy, Full House is scored as the sum of all five dice. For example, 6-6-6-4-4 scores 26 points. This is different from Yahtzee, where Full House is always a fixed 25 points regardless of which numbers are involved.

Do I have to score the highest possible value in a category?

You always score the actual value of your dice in each category according to its rules. You can't choose to score lower. However, you do choose which category to place your result in — and sometimes it's better to score in a lower-value category to preserve better options for later.

What happens if I score zero in the upper section for one category?

Scoring zero in one upper section category makes reaching the 63-point bonus harder but not impossible. You'll need to compensate by scoring above the target in other upper section categories. For example, scoring 0 in Ones means you need 60 extra points across the remaining five categories — an average of 12 surplus points each.

Can I score a Full House as Three of a Kind?

Yes, a Full House contains a Three of a Kind within it. If your Three of a Kind category is open and not your Full House, you can choose to score it as Three of a Kind instead. You can only fill one category per turn, so think about which placement gives you the best total score over the whole game.

Complete Yatzy Scoring Chart & Guide

Every scoring category explained with examples, maximum values, and strategic notes.

March 11, 2026 4 min read

Yatzy scoring determines winners and shapes strategy. Understanding exactly how points are awarded helps you make better decisions throughout the game.

Scoring Overview

The Yatzy scorecard has 15 categories divided into an upper section and a lower section. Each turn, after rolling the dice, you choose one category to fill. Your goal is to maximize the total across all categories, including the upper section bonus.

Upper Section Scoring

The upper section consists of six categories, one for each die face. You score the sum of all dice showing that particular number.

Category	What Counts	Target (for Bonus)	Maximum
Ones	All dice showing 1	3 (three 1s)	5 (five 1s)
Twos	All dice showing 2	6 (three 2s)	10 (five 2s)
Threes	All dice showing 3	9 (three 3s)	15 (five 3s)
Fours	All dice showing 4	12 (three 4s)	20 (five 4s)
Fives	All dice showing 5	15 (three 5s)	25 (five 5s)
Sixes	All dice showing 6	18 (three 6s)	30 (five 6s)

Upper Section Examples

Roll: 3-3-3-5-6

Threes = 9 (3+3+3) ✓ Hits the target
Fives = 5 (one 5) — Below target
Sixes = 6 (one 6) — Below target

Roll: 6-6-6-6-2

Sixes = 24 (6+6+6+6) — 6 points above target!
Twos = 2 (one 2) — Below target

Upper Section Bonus

Condition	Bonus
Upper section total ≥ 63	+50 points
Upper section total < 63	+0 points

The target of 63 equals exactly three of each number:

$$3(1) + 3(2) + 3(3) + 3(4) + 3(5) + 3(6) = 3 + 6 + 9 + 12 + 15 + 18 = 63$$

Every point above the target in one category offsets a shortfall in another. This is the most important strategic element in Yatzy.

Lower Section Scoring

The lower section has nine categories based on dice combinations.

One Pair

Requirement: Two dice showing the same number. Scoring: Sum of the pair (the two matching dice).

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-3-2-1	12	Pair of sixes
5-5-3-3-1	10	Score highest pair (fives)
4-4-4-2-1	8	Pair of fours (even with three)
1-2-3-4-5	0	No pair — scratch it

Maximum: 12 (pair of sixes)

Two Pairs

Requirement: Two different pairs (four dice forming two sets of two). Scoring: Sum of all four dice in the pairs.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-5-5-2	22	Sixes and fives
4-4-3-3-1	14	Fours and threes
3-3-3-2-2	10	Pair of threes + pair of twos
6-6-6-6-1	0	Only one kind of pair — doesn’t qualify

Maximum: 22 (sixes and fives)

Three of a Kind

Requirement: Three dice showing the same number. Scoring: Sum of the three matching dice.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-6-3-1	18	Three sixes
4-4-4-4-2	12	Three fours (fourth doesn’t count here)
2-2-2-5-5	6	Three twos

Maximum: 18 (three sixes)

Four of a Kind

Requirement: Four dice showing the same number. Scoring: Sum of the four matching dice.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
5-5-5-5-3	20	Four fives
6-6-6-6-1	24	Four sixes
3-3-3-3-3	12	Four threes (Yatzy also qualifies!)

Maximum: 24 (four sixes)

Small Straight

Requirement: The sequence 1-2-3-4-5 (all five dice). Scoring: Fixed 15 points.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
1-2-3-4-5	15	Exact sequence required
1-2-3-4-6	0	Missing the 5 — doesn’t qualify
2-3-4-5-6	0	This is a Large Straight, not Small

Maximum: 15 (fixed)

Large Straight

Requirement: The sequence 2-3-4-5-6 (all five dice). Scoring: Fixed 20 points.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
2-3-4-5-6	20	Exact sequence required
1-2-3-4-5	0	This is a Small Straight, not Large
1-3-4-5-6	0	Missing the 2 — doesn’t qualify

Maximum: 20 (fixed)

Full House

Requirement: Three of a kind plus a pair (e.g., 3-3-3-5-5). Scoring: Sum of all five dice.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-6-5-5	28	Best possible Full House
3-3-3-2-2	13	Three threes + pair of twos
1-1-1-1-2	0	Four of a kind, not Full House
4-4-4-4-4	0	Five of a kind, not Full House

Maximum: 28 (three sixes + two fives)

Chance

Requirement: None — any combination of dice. Scoring: Sum of all five dice.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-6-6-6	30	Maximum possible
5-6-6-6-5	28	Very strong Chance score
1-1-2-3-4	11	Weak — try to avoid using Chance here

Maximum: 30 (five sixes)

Yatzy

Requirement: All five dice showing the same number. Scoring: Fixed 50 points.

Example Roll	Score	Notes
6-6-6-6-6	50	Yatzy!
1-1-1-1-1	50	Also Yatzy — same points regardless of number
4-4-4-4-3	0	So close — but four of a kind, not Yatzy

Maximum: 50 (fixed)

Complete Scoring Summary

Category	Section	Scoring Method	Max
Ones	Upper	Sum of 1s	5
Twos	Upper	Sum of 2s	10
Threes	Upper	Sum of 3s	15
Fours	Upper	Sum of 4s	20
Fives	Upper	Sum of 5s	25
Sixes	Upper	Sum of 6s	30
Bonus	Upper	63+ → +50	50
One Pair	Lower	Sum of pair	12
Two Pairs	Lower	Sum of both pairs	22
Three of a Kind	Lower	Sum of three	18
Four of a Kind	Lower	Sum of four	24
Small Straight	Lower	Fixed	15
Large Straight	Lower	Fixed	20
Full House	Lower	Sum of all five	28
Chance	Lower	Sum of all five	30
Yatzy	Lower	Fixed	50
Grand Total	—	—	374

Score Benchmarks

Score Range	Rating
0–100	Very rough game
100–150	Below average
150–200	Average
200–250	Good
250–300	Very good
300–350	Excellent
350–374	Near-perfect / Theoretical max

Keep this guide handy during your games as a quick reference. With practice, you’ll internalize the scoring rules and focus your energy on the strategic decisions that separate good players from great ones.

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