How to Play Reiner Knizia’s Decathlon: 10 Simple Dice Games

What is Decathlon?

Reiner Knizia’s Decathlon is a collection of ten mini dice games that represent different events in the decathlon. You can play the full tournament or choose to play a few events.

Learn how to play all these games in simple steps.

Number of players	1 to 4
Game length	45 minutes
Game difficulty	Easy
What you need to play	Eight six-sided dice, A score pad for each player

If you enjoy Decathlon, check out this list of the top games to play with dice.

Object of the game

The main goal of Reiner Knizia’s Decathlon is to score the maximum number of points in each of the ten events that simulate different decathlon disciplines. Players must strategically roll dice, freeze high-value rolls, and make wise decisions to achieve the best possible results in each event.

Playing the game

Event 1: 100 Metres

1. Roll 8 dice in two sets of 4. Re-roll any dice you’re not satisfied with.

2. Freeze sets of dice with high values but no sixes. You have a maximum of 7 throws.

3. Score: Total the value of dice 1 to 5, subtract any sixes.

Event 2: Long Jump

1. Roll 5 dice and freeze at least one. Re-roll the remaining dice, freezing at least one more each time.

2. Avoid exceeding a total of 8 on frozen dice. Jump using the frozen dice.

3. Score: Total the value of all frozen dice used in the jump.

Event 3: Shot Put

1. Throw all 8 dice, one at a time. You can stop at any point.

2. Invalid attempt if you throw a one.

3. Score: Total the value of all thrown dice.

Event 4: High Jump

1. Jumping starts at height 10 and increases by 2. Decide whether to attempt the height or skip it.

2. You have 3 jumps per height. Throw all 5 dice on each jump.

3. Score: Maximum height successfully cleared.

Event 5: 400 Metres

1. Roll 8 dice in four sets of 2. Re-roll any dice you’re not satisfied with.

2. Freeze sets of dice with high values but no sixes. You have a maximum of 9 throws.

3. Score: Total the value of dice 1 to 5, subtract any sixes.

Event 6: 110 Metre Hurdles

1. Roll 5 dice and re-roll if desired.

2. You can re-roll up to 5 times.

3. Score: Total the value of all five dice.

Event 7: Discus

1. Roll 5 dice and freeze at least one. Re-roll the remaining dice, freezing at least one more each time. Only freeze dice with even values.

2. Stop and finish your attempt whenever you want. Invalid attempt if you can’t freeze another die because all remaining dice show odd numbers.

3. Score: Total the value of all frozen dice.

Event 8: Pole Vault

1. Jumping starts at height 10 and increases by 2. Decide whether to attempt the height or skip it.

2. You have 3 jumps per height. Choose how many dice to use on each jump.

3. Score: Maximum height successfully cleared without rolling any ones.

Event 9: Javelin

1. Roll 6 dice and freeze at least one. Re-roll the remaining dice, freezing at least one more each time. Only freeze dice with odd values.

2. Stop and finish your attempt whenever you want. Invalid attempt if you can’t freeze another die because all remaining dice show even numbers.

3. Score: Total the value of all frozen dice.

Event 10: 1500 Metres

1. Roll each of the 8 dice one at a time. Re-roll any dice you’re not satisfied with.

2. Freeze dice with high values but no sixes. You have a maximum of 13 throws.

3. Score: Total of all 8 dice.

Winning the game

The player who amasses the highest total score across all the events will be declared the winner.

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