National Dice Day

National Dice Day is in America on December 4th. It’s a great day to play your favorite game with your friends! Dice are popular all over the world and are irreplaceable in many games – learn more about them!

History

Dice, also known as bones, have been around for many years, but researchers have not agreed on where they first appeared. A 5200-year-old set for playing backgammon was found in Iran. This discovery amazed scientists, as the edges of the dice were almost identical to modern ones. Many believe that they first appeared as a magical attribute – they were used for divination, to learn fate and the future.

Pharaohs, emperors, and ordinary people all played dice. Everyone wanted to gain mastery over them in order to constantly win. Craftsmen made dice with an advantage on one side – where the largest number was indicated. There were other fraudulent schemes, so in Europe, there was a special guild fighting crooks.

It’s great that the game has survived to this day, although there were times when many things were forbidden and prohibited. In Britain, dice were very popular with pub-goers. If they were absent in the establishment, then the guests could rebel.

Interesting facts

• Researchers have found murals depicting quarreling gamblers being kicked out of a bar.
• Throwing dice for money led to a Roman law that stated a person who allowed gambling in their house had no right to file a claim for any reason.
• Ancient dice did not have perfect forms – their corners could be beveled, and flaws were visible to the naked eye.
• Nobody knew about the theory of probability at that time, so the players relied on the will of the Almighty.

How to take part

Find an interesting game and invite your friends! Compete between teams and record your progress. Learn more about game dice – study their history in different countries of the world.

When is National Dice Day in 2024?

National Dice Day is observed on December 4 each year.

Observations