The Dice & Basic Movement
📋 What it is
You roll two dice and move checkers that many points; rolling doubles lets you use each die twice.
🗣️ Coach says
Two dice, two moves — one checker per die, or one checker using both. Roll the same number on both dice (doubles) and you get FOUR moves of that number, not two. You must use as many dice as you legally can.
🧠 Memory hook
Two dice = two moves. Doubles = four moves. Use all you can.
😂 Giggle
Why did the lonely checker feel exposed?
Because a single checker on a point — a "blot" — can be hit!
😲 Whoa!
Rolling doubles gives you double the movement — which is why players cheer for them; the odds of any specific double are just 1 in 36.
✅ Quick check: You roll a 5 and a 5 (double fives). How many moves of five points do you get?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Four moves of five — doubles let you use each die twice, so 5-5 is four fives, not two.
A double is played as four moves of that number.
🪄 Trick question: If you can only legally play ONE of your two dice, may you skip the other to keep your position?
Careful — think it through, then reveal.
You must play as many dice as you legally can — you cannot skip a playable die to avoid a move.
The rules force you to use every die you legally can, even when inconvenient.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Roll two dice ten times and tally how often you get doubles. Compare to the expected 1-in-6 of rolls.