Yak is a sophisticated browser-based implementation of a variation of the Victorian dice game called Yacht.  This version allows up to four people to play, although it can also be played by one player in practice mode.

In Yak, each player has an identical scorecard containing fourteen scoring methods.  Seven of these, on the left, involve counting the spots on some or all of the dice to produce a score, while the other seven, on the right, are concerned with achieving patterns, each of which has an associated score if achieved, or 0 if not achieved.

The basic idea of Yak is that each player has five dice, and in each of fourteen rounds the player must make up to three throws of all or some of the dice.  The player must elect to score the final layout of the dice in a round against one of the scoring methods not already used.

When played by two or more players, the winner of the game is the player with the highest total score at the end of the players' fourteen rounds.

Scoring methods

For the spot counting scoring methods on the left, the score is simply the total number of spots on the relevant dice. So, for 3s, the score will be 3 times the number of dice displaying a 3, while for 6s the score will be 6 times the number of dice displaying a 6. The All score is simply the sum of all the numbers displayed on the five dice.

For the Patterns on the right, the meaning of the patterns and the scores if the patterns are achieved (0 if not) are given below. Please note that the order of the numbers displayed is irrelevant.

  • Run 1-5. Score 15 if the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are displayed. Example: 5,2,1,3,4 scores 15. Also called Low Straight.
  • Run 2-6. Score 20 if the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are displayed. Example: 5,6,2,4,3 scores 20. Also called High Straight.
  • 3 same. Score 15 if any three dice display an identical number. Example: 5,2,5,3,5 scores 15, as does 5,5,5,3,5.
  • 2 pairs. Score 20 if any two dice display an identical number and another two dice also display an identical number (which may be the same as or different from the number displayed by the first two). Example: 2,3,1,3,2 scores 20 as does 2,2,1,2,2.
  • 2+3 same. Score 25 if two dice display an identical number and the other three dice also display an identical number (which may be the same as or different from the number displayed by the first two). Example: 2,3,3,3,2 scores 25 as does 2,2,2,2,2. Also called Full House.
  • 4 same. Score 30 if any four dice display an identical number. Example: 5,2,5,5,5 scores 30, as does 5,5,5,5,5.
  • 5 same. Score 50 if all five dice display an identical number. Example: 2,2,2,2,2 scores 50, as does 5,5,5,5,5. Also called Yak.

Setting up for play

All players need their own scorecards and dice. There are four sets available, each associated with one of the colours red, yellow, green and blue: the dice are on a background of that colour. To display one of these sets, press the relevant coloured tab near the top on the left. This tab also displays the current total score for that player.

If there are two or more players, they should also agree on the order of play. Yak allows very flexible ordering, since each player essentially plays his or her own game separately from the other players, with the winner being simply the player who achieves the highest total score. This means that one player could complete all fourteen rounds before play passes to the next player. However, to maintain all players' interest, it is probably better for the players to play one round each before moving on to the next round. The players should, in that case, agree the order in which they play a particular round.

Taking a turn in a round

To take a turn, the player should press the Throw button.  This will result in all five dice being 'rolled', so that they each show a number from 1 through to 6.

On the scorecard below the dice, the scores against each of the available scoring methods will be displayed in red, while the maximum possible scores against these scoring methods (or the only possible non-zero scores for the Patterns) are shown, in grey, to the left of the red scores.  The player could choose to select one of these scores, by pressing on the red score, after this first throw, in which case the turn ends and the score is displayed, in black, in the column between the scoring method and the red score. Once used, that scoring method may not be used by the player in any future round of the game. Alternatively, the player may choose a different scoring method and score, or continue with a second throw (see next).

The player may choose to re-throw some or all of the dice to try to achieve a better pattern.  The player should check the Hold box (the box beneath the die) for any die to be held (i.e. not to be thrown), by pressing on the die or on the Hold box beneath the die.

After this second throw, the revised scores will again be shown in red on the scorecard, and the player may choose to select one of these, by pressing on the red score, and so end the turn.  Alternatively, the player may again choose to throw all or some of the dice for a third and last time.  Note: the player may choose to throw dice that were held for the second throw; by default, however, the held dice will also be held for the third throw, so any dice no longer to be held must have their Hold box unchecked (again by pressing on the die or the Hold box beneath it).

After the third throw, the player must select one of the available scores displayed in red, by pressing on it.

Note: if the message below the scorecard starts with a number, this indicates which throw of three would occur if the Throw button were pressed.

New game

To start a new game, one player should press the New button. The game begins with the dice sequences determined according to the option selected (see next).

Options

When the More button is pressed, certain choices are presented.

First, there is a choice concerned with the sequences of the dice throws for the players.

1. Independent

This option corresponds to the way a game with real dice would be played.

With this option, all total scores are shown on the players' coloured tabs at the top.

2. Identical

With this option, a sequence of throws (1-6) is determined at the beginning (unseen to the players, of course), and this sequence is allocated to each player. Whenever a player throws one of the dice, the next number from the sequence is displayed. This option allows a game to be played that is a better test of skill and judgment, since all players are playing with the same sequence of throws, and no player can claim that they were unlucky to receive poor throws. Of course, the decisions on when to hold and score mean that the final scores are likely to be very different.

With this option, it is clearly important that the throws made by one player should not be seen by the others. The players should therefore look away while throws are being made and scores added. To ensure that one player's scorecard is hidden from the other players, a player should press the Hide button to hide all the scorecards before passing play to the next player.

Because a player's score can provide information to other players about the dice thrown, the total scores are not shown on the players' coloured tabs at the top, which instead show a '?'. An individual player's total score is shown in the coloured tab only when that player's scorecard is displayed.

The chosen option is applied only when a new game is started. The default is to have independent throws, and when Yak is first started, the game is set up with independent dice throws.

Second, there is a choice that determines whether or not selected scoring methods and scores need to be confirmed.

By default, when confirmation of selection is off, as soon as a score is selected it is applied, and there is no chance given to the player to revoke this selection. However, when playing using a small touchscreen, it can be quite easy to select the wrong score.

If this is found to cause a problem, the option to confirm selection may be turned on. When switched on, the selection of the score is not immediately applied. Instead, the selected scoring method and associated score are displayed in the box at the bottom left, which then has a green background. The player may then choose to confirm the selection by pressing the green box, or may choose to ignore it: either by selecting a different score or by taking another throw (if available).

Pressing the Back button redisplays the main screen.

Terms of use

This software may be used for personal purposes only.  It may not be used for commercial purposes.

The software, code and script of this application may not be copied or be distributed to others.

The software, code and script may not be altered in any way.

Copyright of the software, code and script, and its help documentation, is held by TopAccolades Limited.  No part of the software, code, script or documentation may be copied or used in another application or document.

Although every effort has been made to ensure that this software functions as intended, TopAccolades Limited provides no warranty of merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose, in relation to this application or its support.

TopAccolades Limited shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use of or inability to use this application or the provision of or failure to provide support.

Copyright TopAccolades Limited
www.topaccolades.com

Version: 3.0 (20170327)
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