Perudo, also known as Liar’s Dice, is a popular dice bidding game involving bluffing.
Learn how to play this game in simple steps.
| Number of players | 3 to 6 |
| Game length | 15 minutes |
| Game difficulty | Medium |
| What you need to play | 5 dice for each player, 1 cup for each player |
f you enjoy Perudo, check out this list of the top games to play with dice.
Object of the game
The objective of Perudo is to be the last player with dice remaining.
Setting up the game
- Distribute a cup and five dice to each player.
- Each player shakes their dice in their cup and then places it face down on the table, hiding their dice. Players are allowed to look at their own dice.
Playing the game
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The game starts with the youngest player, and the turns proceed clockwise. On their turn, each player makes a bid on the total number of a specific face that they believe exists among all players’ dice. Bids can range from 2 to 6, with 1 being the “wild” face, counting as the current bid’s face value.
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The next player has two options: either make a higher bid or challenge the previous bid as incorrect. Raising the bid involves increasing the quantity of any face or bidding the same quantity of a higher value face. Players can make bids higher than the minimum if desired.
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If a player believes the previous bid is incorrect, they can challenge it. When challenged, all players reveal their dice. If the number of the relevant dice face is equal to or greater than the bid, the bidder is valid, and the challenger loses a dice. If the number is lower than the bid, the bid is invalid, and the bidder loses a dice.
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The player who lost a dice starts the next round, and the game continues until only one player remains with dice. When a player loses their last dice, they are out of the game, and the player to their left begins the next round.
Special rules
- When a player has lost their fourth dice, they become a “Palafico,” leading to special rules for the next round. The wild 1 is no longer valid, players can bid with 1, and players with more than one dice must bid on the same face as the previous player.
- The “Palafico” rules do not apply when only two players remain in the game.
Winning the game
The game concludes when only one player is left with dice, and they are declared the winner of Perudo.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, bluffing is a fundamental aspect of Perudo. Players are allowed to hide their dice results and make bids that may or may not reflect the actual dice in play. However, if a challenge reveals that a bid was inaccurate, the bidder loses a die.
Perudo involves both skill and luck. While the roll of the dice is purely luck-based, successful bidding, strategy, and effective bluffing can significantly influence the outcome. Experienced players often develop tactics to increase their chances of winning.
There are a number of things you can do to increase your chances of winning. Pay close attention to the bids made by other players to assess the probability of their accuracy. Use bluffing strategically to manipulate opponents into making incorrect bids. Consider the face values of the dice you have and what’s already been bid to make informed decisions. Keep track of the dice that have been revealed to narrow down the possibilities.
Perudo has South American origins, with historical roots in Incan and colonial Spanish culture. It later gained popularity in other parts of the world, such as Europe and the United States.
Yes, Perudo is known by various names in different regions. In addition to Liar’s Dice, it is sometimes called Dudo, Cachito, Bluff, and Pirate’s Dice, among others.