Yahtzee, Yatzy and Generala each use five dice, but the rules and scoring differ in ways that change how you play. This post compares the three games side by side, covering turn structure, scoring categories and the probability facts that matter most when you roll. If you want to try any of these games online, you can roll dice at a free online dice game site and test the combinations yourself.

The Dice Basics That Apply to All Three Games

All three games use a standard die with six faces numbered 1 to 6. Opposite faces add up to 7, so the 1 is opposite the 6, 2 opposite 5, and 3 opposite 4. When you roll two dice, there are 36 equally likely combinations. The most likely total is 7, which occurs 6 ways out of 36. Totals of 2 and 12 each happen only 1 way out of 36. With five dice, the chance of getting all five the same in a single roll is 1 in 1,296. Dice outcomes are independent: a die has no memory of earlier rolls, so a streak does not make a number more or less likely next time. These facts hold for Yahtzee, Yatzy and Generala.

Turn Structure and Rolling Rules

Each game gives you a turn to roll five dice and then choose which dice to keep and which to reroll. The number of rolls per turn and the way you score sets them apart.

Yahtzee

You get up to three rolls per turn. After the first roll, you set aside any dice you want to keep, then reroll the rest. You may do this a second time. After the third roll (or sooner if you stop), you must choose a category on the scorecard and record your points. You cannot change categories later in the game.

Yatzy

Yatzy follows the same three-roll structure as Yahtzee. The main difference is in the scoring categories and the fact that you must fill categories in a fixed order (usually from top to bottom on the scorecard). Some versions of Yatzy also allow a bonus roll for a Yahtzee (five of a kind) after you have already scored it.

Generala

Generala gives you two rolls per turn. After the first roll, you set aside any dice you want to keep, then reroll the rest once. There is no third roll. The scoring categories are also different, and the game includes a special category called Generala (five of a kind) that must be declared before rolling.

Scoring Categories Compared

The categories you score in each game determine which dice combinations you aim for. Here is a list of the main categories in each game:

  • Yahtzee: Ones, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, Sixes (sum of matching dice), Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, Full House (three of one number and two of another), Small Straight (four sequential numbers), Large Straight (five sequential numbers), Yahtzee (five of a kind), and Chance (sum of all five dice).
  • Yatzy: Same upper section as Yahtzee (Ones through Sixes), plus Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, Full House, Small Straight, Large Straight, Yatzy (five of a kind), and Chance. The point values and order of filling categories often differ from Yahtzee.
  • Generala: Categories are usually: Generala (five of a kind, highest score), Poker (four of a kind), Full House (three of one and two of another), Straight (five sequential numbers), and various pair and high‑card categories. The exact set varies by regional rules.

In all three games, the probability of rolling a specific number on one die is 1 in 6. For five dice, the chance of getting all five the same (a Yahtzee or Generala) in a single roll is 1 in 1,296. Knowing this helps you decide when to reroll and when to accept a partial combination.

Strategy Differences

Because the number of rolls and categories differ, the best strategy changes from game to game.

In Yahtzee

You have three rolls, so you can afford to chase a large straight or a Yahtzee if you have a good start. If you roll three of a kind on the first roll, you often keep them and try for four or five of a kind. The upper section (Ones through Sixes) rewards you with the sum of those dice, so aiming for high numbers like Fives or Sixes can be worth it even if you don’t get five of a kind.

In Yatzy

The fixed order of categories forces you to fill the top rows first. This means you may need to take a lower score in an early category to avoid wasting a turn. The three‑roll limit is the same as Yahtzee, but the order constraint can push you to accept a safe score rather than gamble.

In Generala

With only two rolls, you have less room to improve a poor start. The Generala category (five of a kind) is a high‑risk, high‑reward target. You must declare it before rolling, so you cannot decide after seeing the dice. This makes Generala more of a push‑your‑luck game compared to Yahtzee or Yatzy.

Probability Notes for Each Game

Understanding a few probability facts can help you make smarter decisions.

  • The chance of rolling a specific number on one die is 1 in 6. So if you need a 4 on a single die, you have a 1 in 6 chance on that roll.
  • With two dice, the most likely total is 7 (6 ways out of 36). This matters in games that use totals for certain categories.
  • Rolling five dice and getting all five the same in a single roll has a probability of 1 in 1,296. That is rare, which is why Yahtzee and Generala award high points for it.
  • Dice outcomes are independent: a die has no memory of earlier rolls. If you have rolled three 6s in a row, the next roll still has a 1 in 6 chance of being a 6. Streaks do not make a number more or less likely.

In practice, this means that after a reroll, each die is a fresh event. You cannot “force” a combination by rolling many times in a row. The odds stay the same each time you pick up the dice.