SEQUENCES
[source: Skip Frey, "Complete Book of Dice Games"]

This is an interesting, though somewhat slow-moving
game of chance for a family or social gathering.
"Sequences" may be played as a gambling game.

Playing Time: From 30 to 40 minutes.

Number of Players: Any number can play.

Number of Dice: Six.

Equipment: Score sheet-a simple tally sheet with
the names of the players at the top; a dice cup.

Object of Game: To reach a target of 100 points.

To Start: Each player rolls the dice, and the highest
roller begins the game.  Play proceeds clockwise.

If "Sequences" is being played as a gambling game,
each player contributes an equal stake to the pot.

The Play: On his turn, each player has one roll of
the six dice.  The player scores points for his turn only
if the six dice contain one or more of the following
sequences:

If the Throw Contains                Then the Player
the Sequence:                        Scores:

   1-2                                   5 points
   1-2-3                                10 points
   1-2-3-4                              15 points
   1-2-3-4-5                            20 points
   1-2-3-4-5-6                          25 points
   A cast of five 6's scores            30 points
   A cast of six 6s scores              60 points

Note that any throw which does not produce at
least the sequence 1-2 does not score.

The number produced by each die of the cast may
be used in only one sequence.  Thus, a player who
throws the combination 1-2-2-3-4-6 scores 15 points
for a single 1-2-3-4 sequence, but may not use the 1
to form a 1-2 sequence as well.

However, a player whose cast produces two dis-
tinct sequences scores points for both sequences in
his cast.  Four multi-sequence scoring casts are possi-
ble: 1-2, 1-2 scores 10 points; 1-2, 1-2-3 scores 15
points; 1-2-3, 1-2-3 scores 20 points; 1-2, 1-2-3-4
scores 20 points.

When a cast produces four or more l's, the
thrower's entire score for all previous turns is
cancelled.  The player must begin again from zero.

After a player has cast the six dice, he adds up his
points for the turn (if any) and enters his total on the
score sheet.  He then passes the dice to the next
player.

When a player reaches or exceeds 100 points he is
eligible to win the pot.  The inning is completed, so
that all players have had an equal number of turns.

The highest score wins.  Thus, if during the fifth
round Player A has reached 105 points, play con-
tinues until all players have bad their turns.  Then if
during this round Player C scores a total of 107,
Player C wins.

Remarks: Experience in playing "Sequences" has
shown that about half of a player's casts do not score.
An average throw earns 10 points.  Thus, a player who
avoids a penalty will reach the 100-point total in
about twenty turns.

However, the penalty (four l's) may strike and
wipe out a player's score.  Though such a catastrophe
is rare, the age-old adage applies: The game is not
over until the final cast.

The odds are extremely high against a throw
resulting in four 1's, and astronomical against
throwing six 6's.


VARIANT: "Hearts Due" is a variant of "Se-
quences" which requires about half the time to
play.

The more liberal scoring structure for "Hearts
Due" is as follows:

If the Throw Contains            Then the Player
the Sequence:                    Scores:

        1                            5 points
        1-2                         10 points
        1-2-3                       15 points
        1-2-3-4                     20 points
        1-2-3-4-5                   25 points
        1-2-3-4-5-6                 30 points
        Five 6's                    35 points
        Six 6's                     70 points

The penalties and the bonuses are the same.

Note that in "Hearts Due" only a cast which fails
to produce a 1 does not score.  A player is likely to
reach the 100-point total in fewer than ten turns.