4 December is National Dice Day all across the world.
Dice form part of many games we play and there are games that are played with only the dice, so to celebrate National Dice Day, choose your favourite and play!
Dice are typically thrown onto a flat surface, either from a dice cup or the hand. To determine the value of the throw, the value of the numbers on the uppermost face of the die, after it has landed, is calculated. A popular dice game is called ‘craps’ – where a bet is placed on the total value of the throw of the dice. Dice – which are frequently used in board games – randomise the moves of a player, by determining the distance a piece will move on a board. Popular board games using this method include Monopoly and backgammon.
The origin of dice is uncertain but they’ve been around for thousands of years. At an archaeological site in South Eastern Iran, called Burnt City, the oldest known die was excavated. It was believed to have formed part of a 5 000-year-old backgammon game.
Dice were originally made from the talus (ankle bones) of hoofed animals. Other materials used include wood, ivory and plastic.
To celebrate today, get your friends and family together and enjoy your favourite game using dice.
Post on social media using #NationalDiceDay.
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