National Dice Day

National Dice Day is observed in the United States on December 4 each year. It’s a great day to play your favorite games with friends! Dice are popular worldwide and indispensable in many games—learn more about their fascinating history below.

History

Dice—originally called “bones”—have been used for millennia, although their exact origin remains unknown. Archaeologists discovered a 5,200-year-old backgammon set in Iran with dice nearly identical to modern ones. Early on, dice were prized as magical tools for divination, believed to reveal fate and the future.

Pharaohs, emperors, and commoners alike played dice games. To gain an edge, some craftsmen manufactured crooked dice weighted toward high numbers, prompting European guilds to punish cheaters. Despite periodic bans—pub-goers in Britain famously rebelled when tavern dice were outlawed—the dice game survives as one of the world’s oldest pastimes.

Interesting Facts

• Murals from ancient inns show gamblers being expelled after disputes over cheating.
• Roman law once decreed that anyone who allowed gambling in their home forfeited the right to bring any lawsuit.
• Early dice were often imperfectly shaped, with beveled edges and visible flaws.
• Before probability theory, players believed each roll depended on divine will.

How to Take Part

Gather your favorite dice games—board games, role-playing adventures, or simple roll-and-move titles—and invite friends for a game night. Form teams, track your progress, and explore dice traditions from around the world.

When is National Dice Day in 2025?

National Dice Day is observed on December 4 each year.

Observations