1 Overview
TENZI is a fast-rolling dice game for 2 to 4 players (or more with extra sets) published by Carma Games. Each player gets 10 dice. On "Go," everyone rolls simultaneously and races to get all 10 dice showing the same number. First to shout "TENZI!" wins. Games last about 3 minutes.
TENZI is one of the most purely chaotic party games ever made. It requires no setup, no turns, no strategy -- just rapid rolling and fast hands. Perfect as a filler, an icebreaker, or the thing you play between heavier games.
2 Components
- 40 standard 6-sided dice in 4 colors (10 per player)
Extra TENZI sets can expand play to 6 to 8 players. The dice are standard d6s, so you can also play with any dice you have on hand.
3 Setup
Each player takes 10 dice of their color. Players sit close enough that they can see each other's dice. No board needed -- just table space for rolling.
4 Classic TENZI
- On "Go," all players roll all 10 of their dice simultaneously.
- Look at your dice and decide which number you are going for (typically whichever number shows the most faces).
- Set aside all dice showing your chosen number. Re-roll the rest.
- Repeat -- keep setting aside matching dice and re-rolling the others -- as fast as you can. There are no turns; everyone rolls at the same time continuously.
- The first player to get all 10 dice showing the same number shouts "TENZI!" and wins the round.
You are not locked into your initial number choice. If you have three 4s and then roll four 6s on your next roll, you can switch to 6s. However, switching too often costs time -- staying committed to one number is usually faster.
5 Winning
First to shout "TENZI!" with all 10 dice showing the same face wins the round. Most groups play a set number of rounds (first to 5 wins, or best of 10) rather than a single round, since each round is over in under a minute.
6 Popular TENZI Variants
The official TENZI Dice Party Card Set includes 77 variant games. Here are the most popular:
| Variant | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Target TENZI | Before rolling, flip a card to reveal a target number. Everyone must get all 10 dice on that specific number. |
| SPLITZI | Get 5 dice on one number and 5 on another. Shout "SPLITZI!" to win. |
| STEALZI | When a player gets TENZI, other players can steal their dice. The player with the most dice at a set time wins. |
| Cooperative TENZI | All players work together to get all 40 dice (4 players) showing the same number as fast as possible. Time yourself and try to beat your record. |
| TENZI Tower | Stack your matching dice into a tower as you set them aside. First to stack all 10 and not have them fall wins. |
| SLOW-ZI | You must roll one die at a time, not all at once. Slower and more deliberate. Surprisingly tense. |
7 Tips
- Pick your number immediately after the first roll. Hesitating costs precious seconds. Go with the number that shows the most faces on that first roll.
- Re-roll non-matching dice in one smooth motion. Cup them in your hand and roll all at once rather than picking them up one by one.
- Don't switch numbers unless you have 4 or fewer of your current number. The math rarely favors switching when you already have 5+ dice committed.
- Watch opponents briefly on the second roll. If someone is clearly on 6s and you have equal 6s and 3s, choosing 3s avoids the competition for what feels like the luckiest number in the room.
8 FAQ
Race to roll all 10 of your dice to the same number. First player to do it yells "Tenzi!" and wins.