Is Dice Duel the same as Pig?

Yes, it's based on Pig, the classic push-your-luck dice game, with a target of 100 points.

What are the odds of rolling a 1?

One in six on each roll — so the more you roll, the more likely a bust becomes.

What is the best strategy in Pig?

A good rule is to bank at about 20 points each turn, rolling more when you're far behind and less when you're close to 100.

Is Dice Duel all luck?

No. Each roll is luck, but when to stop is a real decision, and good players win clearly more often.

How do I play Dice Duel online with a friend?

Open Dice Duel on multiplayergames.app or in the Multiplayer Games app, choose Online and create a room. Send your friend the room code — they can join from a phone, tablet or computer, and iPhone, Android and web players can all play each other. It's free and you don't need an account.

Can I play Dice Duel 2 player on one phone?

Yes. Pick the local 2 player mode and pass the device between turns. It works offline in the app, and there's a computer opponent too if you're on your own.

How to Play Dice Duel

2 players
3–6 minutes
Also called Pig dice game, push your luck dice

Dice Duel is a push-your-luck dice game based on the classic 'Pig'. Roll as many times as you dare to build up points, but roll a 1 and you lose the lot. It's all about knowing when to bank.

By the Multiplayer Games team · Updated 27 October 2026 · Rules checked against the sources below

Objective

Be the first player to bank 100 points.

Setup

Both players start on zero. You only need one die.

Dice Duel rules, step by step

Roll. On your turn, roll the die. Any number from 2 to 6 is added to your turn total.
Keep going or bank. Roll again to grow your turn total, or bank it to add it safely to your score.
Bust on a 1. Roll a 1 and your whole turn total is lost — your turn ends with nothing added.
Reach 100. The first player to bank 100 or more points wins.

Dice Duel variants, and the rules we use

Dice Duel is played slightly differently from place to place. These are the variants you're most likely to meet:

Two-dice Pig. Roll two dice; a single 1 ends your turn and double 1s wipe your whole score.
Big Pig. Doubles count double, making big swings more likely.
Hog. You choose how many dice to roll once, then live with the result.

How Dice Duel works in Multiplayer Games:

One die, first to 100.
A 1 ends your turn with nothing banked; play passes automatically.
The first roll alternates between rounds in a series.

Dice Duel strategy for beginners

A simple rule that works well: keep rolling until your turn total reaches about 20, then bank.
When your opponent is close to 100, take more risks — a safe small bank won't save you.
When you're far ahead, bank smaller totals and let your opponent take the risks.
Near the end, roll until you can win in one turn if your opponent is about to finish.

Common mistakes to avoid

Banking tiny totals like 4 or 6 — you'll fall behind.
Chasing a huge turn total when you're already winning comfortably.

Dice Duel terms explained

Turn total: Points rolled this turn but not yet banked.
Bank / hold: Stop rolling and add the turn total to your score.
Bust: Rolling a 1 — the turn total is lost.

A short history of Dice Duel

Dice Duel is the classic push-your-luck game Pig, first described in print by the games writer John Scarne in 1945. It needs nothing but one die and is a favourite for teaching probability.

It's also been studied seriously: in 2004 Todd Neller and Clifton Presser computed the mathematically optimal strategy for Pig and showed that the simple 'bank at 20' rule of thumb is close to — but not quite — perfect.

Dice Duel FAQ

Sources

We checked these rules against: