A Beginner's Guide To Playing Bolivian Cacho

Cacho is a popular dice game in Bolivia, similar to Yahtzee. The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible by rolling certain combinations. The game is usually played with five dice, a dice cup, and paper and pencil to keep score. Each player has three rolls per turn, and scores are tallied when all fields have been completed. The player with the highest score wins. There are different ways to score points, including Escalera (straight), Full House, Poker (four of a kind), and La Grande (five of a kind). Cacho can be played casually or in tournaments, and it is a beloved tradition in Bolivia.

Equipment: Five dice, a cup, paper, and a pencil

Cacho is a popular dice game in Bolivia, similar to Yahtzee. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by rolling certain combinations. To win, you need a combination of luck and an understanding of probabilities.

The equipment required to play Cacho includes five dice, a cup, paper, and a pencil. The cup is usually made of leather. The paper and pencil are used to keep score.

Each player gets three rolls per turn to score as many points as possible. After the first roll, the player must declare the category they will score. They can then set aside one or more dice and roll the remaining dice again. If the player wishes to change the category they are aiming for, all the dice must be rolled again.

The player then scores their combination of dice on the announced category. Scores are recorded on a grid, such as a tic-tac-toe board or a cross-hatch.

Objective: Get the highest score by rolling certain combinations

Cacho is a popular dice game in Bolivia, similar to Yahtzee. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by rolling certain combinations. Each player has three rolls per turn to score as many points as possible. After the first roll, the player must declare what category they will score and can set aside one or more dice to roll again. If they want to change the category, all the dice must be rolled again.

There are several combinations that players can aim for to score points. A straight, or an "escalera", is worth 25 points if achieved in one roll, and 20 points if achieved in a series of rolls. A full house, or "casa/full", is worth 35 points in one roll and 30 points in a series of rolls. Four of a kind, or "póquer", is worth 45 points in one roll and 40 points in a series of rolls. Five of a kind, or "la grande", is worth 50 points and there is a limit of two per game. If a player rolls five of a kind in one roll, they automatically win the game and this is called a "dormida".

Scores are recorded on a cross-hatch, with the numbers category on the left side and the straights, full houses, and four of a kind in the middle. The "grandes" are scored underneath the cross-hatch. Play continues until all sections of the cross-hatch are filled with a score or an X, and then the scores are added up to determine the winner.

There are some variations to the game. One variation involves each player having three cross-hatches played all at once, with the top one worth one game point, the middle worth two, and the bottom worth three. Another variation allows players to say "abajo" during any roll, which means they will score the reverse side of the dice instead of the face-up side.

Scoring: Points are awarded for combinations like Straights, Full Houses, and Poker

Scoring in Bolivian Cacho is a crucial part of the game and understanding how points are awarded is essential for developing a winning strategy. Points are earned by forming specific combinations with the dice, and certain combinations carry more weight than others. Here's a detailed breakdown of the scoring system:

Straights are a fundamental combination in many dice games, and Cacho is no exception. A Straight is achieved when all five dice show consecutive numbers, regardless of their suit. For example, a sequence of 2-3-4-5-6 or 1-2-3-4-5 would constitute a Straight. Straights are worth 500 points, making them a valuable combination to aim for.

Full Houses are even more lucrative in terms of points. A Full House is when your five dice are divided into a pair and a trio of identical numbers. For instance, having two 4's and three 6's (4-4-6-6-6) would be a Full House. This combination is worth a substantial 1000 points, reflecting its rarity and the skill required to assemble it.

The pinnacle of Cacho combinations is the elusive Poker hand. This is when four of your five dice display the same number, with the fifth die acting as a wildcard. For example, four 3's and one 6 (3-3-3-3-6) would constitute Poker. This coveted combination earns you a massive 2000 points and can single-handedly turn the game in your favor.

Additionally, there are bonus points available for certain achievements. If a player manages to get four of a kind (known as Cuatro) with the sixth throw of the dice, they are awarded a bonus of 500 points. This bonus is separate from the base score for Cuatro, which is 1500 points. Players can also earn 100 points for each 1 or 5 that appears on the dice, adding a further layer of strategy to the game.

The scoring system in Bolivian Cacho rewards players for their ability to form specific combinations and encourages strategic thinking. Understanding the point values of different combinations is key to developing a winning approach. Players must decide whether to aim for higher-scoring combinations or accumulate points through multiple smaller combinations. This dynamic scoring system adds excitement and keeps players engaged throughout the game.

Rules: Each player has three rolls per turn. After the first roll, the player must declare the category they will score

Cacho is a popular dice game in Bolivia, similar to Yahtzee. The objective is to score as many points as possible by rolling certain combinations. The player with the highest score wins.

Each player has three rolls per turn and after the first roll, the player must declare the category they will score. They can then set aside one or more dice and roll the remaining dice again. If the player wishes to change the category they are aiming for, all the dice must be rolled again.

For example, if a player decides to aim for a particular number, they select the dice showing that number, return the other dice to the cup and roll again. This can be repeated for the third roll.

If a turn is going badly, a player can return all the dice to the cup and decide to go for something different, but they must only use the remaining number of rolls. A player may also choose to return everything to the cup in the hope of rolling a straight, full house or poker in one roll.

It is important to note that a player can only have one goal at a time. If they roll a straight on the first roll, for instance, they cannot use their next two turns to go for twos.

At the end of three rolls, the player adds up their points and notes them on the cross-hatch scoring sheet.

Variations: Cacho can be played for stakes, as a drinking game, or with partners

Cacho is a popular game in Bolivia, often played in cafes and at social gatherings. It is a dice game, similar to Yahtzee, and can be played for stakes, as a drinking game, or with partners.

When played for stakes, each player puts an agreed-upon amount into a pot, and the winner collects it all. This adds an extra layer of excitement and competition to the game.

As a drinking game, Cacho can be a fun and lighthearted way to spend an evening with friends. The rules are simple: the loser of each round must drink, and the game continues until only one player remains.

Cacho played with partners is a team effort. Each player on a team takes turns rolling the dice, and the team decides which player's roll will be scored for that turn. This variation adds a social and cooperative element to the game.

The game is played with five dice, a dice cup, and paper and pencil to keep score. Each player has three rolls per turn, and the goal is to score as many points as possible by rolling certain combinations. The player with the highest score at the end wins.

Frequently asked questions