PLAYERS: Two or more players, with one player designated the “Zonk Master,” usually the host of the game.

EQUIPMENT: Six dice (optional: 2 white, 2 red, 2 green dice), “Zonk” score sheet.

OBJECT: Roll dice for scoring combinations, and score 10,000 points to win the game.

GAME SUMMARY: On each turn, players roll the dice to get the highest scoring combination. Each roll of the dice must result in a scoring combination or the player “Zonks” and receives zero points. The first player to reach 10,000 points is the winner.

HOW TO PLAY: The “Zonk Master” writes the names of all players at the top of columns on the score sheet. To decide who goes first, each player rolls a single die. The player with the highest roll goes first. In the event of a tie, the tied players continue to roll one die each until there is one player left who starts the game. Play then passes to the left.

TAKING A TURN: On your turn, you may roll the dice until you decide to stop and record your points, or you fail to roll any scoring combination of dice.

Roll all six dice. Set aside any scoring dice. You are not required to set aside ALL scoring dice, but you must set aside at least one scoring die each time you roll. You may stop now and record your points, or roll the non-scoring dice again.

If there are no scoring dice on any roll, a “Zonk” is recorded, you receive no points, and your turn is over.

If all six dice are a scoring combination, you “Rolled Out”, and must roll all six dice again to add to your current score. You may continue to roll the dice until you decide to record your points or you “Zonk.”

SCORING: Scores can be made with a single die or a combination of dice. A scoring combination can only be made with the dice thrown on the current roll, and cannot be combined with dice that have already been set aside.

Each 5 is worth 50 points.
Each 1 is worth 100 points. For three of a kind or six of a kind, 1s are treated like the value 10 (see below).

Three of a kind is worth the number rolled times 100 points, plus an additional 100 points for each additional die of the same number. For example, three 2s (2-2-2) would score 200 points.  Five 4s (4-4-4-4-4) would score 600 points (400 points for three of a kind, plus 200 points for the other two 4s). Three 1s (1-1-1) are worth 1000 points.

A straight of five in a row (1-2-3-4-5 or 2-3-4-5-6) is worth 500 points.
A straight of six in a row (1-2-3-4-5-6) is worth 1000 points.

Six of a kind is worth the number rolled times 1000 points. For example, six 3s (3-3-3-3-3-3) are worth 3000 points. Six 1s (1-1-1-1-1-1) are worth 10,000 points, which usually wins the game.

When you decide to record your points, the “Zonk Master” adds the score of the current roll to your previous total in the column under your name. If you “Zonked” on the roll, a “Z” is written on the score sheet and you receive no points.

BONUSES: Players are awarded bonuses or “B’s” for reaching milestones during the game. The nature of the “B” is determined by tradition, the “Zonk Master,” or by majority vote of all players. When a “B” is awarded, the “Zonk Master” writes a “B” next to the player’s score or “Zonk” on the score sheet.

Points B For every 1000 points in total score, the player is awarded a “B.”

Zonk B For every three “Zonks” recorded, the player is awarded a “B.”

SPECIAL RULES: “Zonk” is open to allowing special rules, either determined by tradition, the “Zonk Master,” or by majority vote by all players. Special rules must be established before the game starts and cannot be modified during the game.

Breaking the Ice Each player’s first scoring roll must be at least 1000 points to start the game. After a player has “Broken the Ice,” the player may stop and record their score at any time.

Off the Table If a player rolls ANY of the dice off the table or playing surface, a “Zonk” is recorded and the player’s turn is over.

Six-Die Zonk If a player fails to get a scoring combination when rolling all six dice, the player “Zonks.” A “Z6” is recorded on the score sheet and the player is awarded a “B.”

Three pairs (optional) When playing with three pairs of differently colored dice, if a player rolls all six dice with a different pair in each color, the player is awarded a “B.” If the roll also happens to be a “Six-Die Zonk,” the player is awarded an additional “B.”

Lubs When a player sets aside three 2s (2-2-2), all other players should ridicule him by shouting “Lubs.” Four 2s (2-2-2-2) warrant a “Super Lubs,” five 2s (2-2-2-2-2) a “Mega Lubs,” and six 2s (2-2-2-2-2-2) get a “Ultra Lubs.” This rule does not affect scoring or bonuses.

Timid If a player chooses to stop rolling before reaching 400 points on a roll, or chooses to stop rolling with more than three non-scoring dice available, all other players should ridicule and belittle the offending player for being too timid.

ENDING THE GAME: When a player has accumulated 10,000 or more points after recording a scoring roll, the rest of the players get one more turn, “Last Licks,” to try to surpass that total. The player with the highest score after the completion of “Last Licks” is the winner of “Zonk” and is awarded a “B.” The winner is also entitled to keep the score sheet, as the “Zonk Master” is encouraged to decorate and/or annotate the score sheet in any way to capture the spirit of the game.