Ship, Captain, Mate and Crew

This game may be played by any number of people. Five dice are used.

Objective
Players try to throw 6 (the ship), 5 (the captain), and 4 (the mate) in that order, and within three throws.

Order of play
Order of play is established by a preliminary round, in which each player throws a single die. The highest scorer becomes first shooter. Play then moves in a clockwise direction around the table.

Play
The players each put an agreed stake into the pot. Each player in turn is allowed not more than three throws of the dice.

If he makes a 6 and a 5 on his first throw, he can set those dice aside. In his second throw he then rolls the other three dice, hoping to make a 4. If, however, he makes a 6 and a 4 on his first throw, only the 6 can be set aside, and the remaining four dice must be rolled again for a 5 and a 4.

If the player makes 6, 5, and 4 in his three throws, the remaining two dice (the crew) are totalled as his score. But, if he makes 6, 5, and 4 in his first or second throw, he may, if he wishes, use the remaining throws to try to improve the total of the crew dice.

The pot goes to the player with the highest score in the round.

A tie nullifies all scores, and a further round has to be played.

Start of play rotates one to the left after each game.

From 'The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games'
© Diagram Visual Information Ltd 1979