Yes or No Blog

The rules of I Doubt It, how often you will have to bluff, and when calling Cheat pays off.

Checkers rules, who moves first, how many ways a game can start, the 2007 proof that it is a draw and simple winning tips.

Pictionary rules for home, picking words at random without repeats, fair teams and simple scoring options.

Blind man’s bluff rules, safety tips for a blindfold game, a fair way to pick who is it, variations and history.

Block dominoes rules, how many tiles to draw, who goes first, hand odds for a double-six set and simple strategy.

Rules, a fair way to choose the wolf, and how dice change the length of the game.

Rules, fair teams by weight, a coin flip for ends, best of three odds and safety.

Classic rules, no tag-backs, a fair pick of who is it, safe tagging and freeze tag.

Rules, tying legs safely, fair partners by height, random lanes and heats, and variations.

Rules, sack alternatives, random lanes, fair heats with top-two odds, safety and variations.

Rules, fair partners, a coin flip for roles and why to swap, safety and variations.

Drawing the court, classic rules, a fair first player, and dice hopscotch with odds per square.

Rules, a bar height schedule, a fair random order for the line, tie-breaks and safety.

Relay formats for kids, basic rules, fair teams by speed bands with odds, running order and safety.

Throw the hammer with dice: three or four turns, wobbles and cage fouls, the best of three throws and the exact distance odds.

Run a cross-country race with dice: hills, mud and a final sprint, a push or steady choice on each hill, team scoring and the exact odds.

Run a 100 m sprint with dice: reaction, drive and finish rolls, a coin flip for the wind, and the exact race-time odds.

Throw the discus with dice: a spin roll and a release roll, sector fouls, the best of three throws and the exact distance odds.

Run a 3000 m steeplechase with dice: seven laps with barriers, a safe or bold water jump each lap, and the exact race-time odds.

A 4 x 100 m relay with dice: four legs, three baton passes, dropped batons and the exact odds of every team time.

Ten events over two days with dice, a points table and the exact odds of every total score.

A reaction die with false starts, ten hurdles to clear or clip, and the exact odds of every race time.

Pick a soft or a stiff pole at every height, with three tries each and the exact odds of every bar.

An angle die and a speed die, fouls for flat landings and the exact odds of the perfect 100 m throw.

Safe throw or power throw? Three throws, the best one counts, and the exact odds of every plan.

A take-off die for fouls, a distance chart and three jumps each, with the exact odds of every distance.

A rising bar, three tries per height and countback on ties, with the exact odds of every height.

Eight-ball with two dice: break, shot and 8-ball charts, ball in hand and the exact odds of winning.

Swim, bike and run with two dice: three dice charts, two transitions, a fair start order and exact race odds.

How to run a marathon with two dice: 42 squares, water stations, the wall, a pace chart and the exact race odds.

How to play snooker with two dice: reds, colours, fouls, clearing the colours and the exact odds of a big break.

How to play judo with two dice: ippon, waza-ari, shido, golden score and the exact match odds.

How to play table tennis with two dice: rallies, aces and faults, games to 11, best of five and the exact odds.

How to wrestle with two dice: takedowns, escapes, reversals, pins, three periods and the exact match odds.

How to fence with two dice: touches, parries, double hits, bouts to 15 and the exact odds of a close finish.

How to sail a regatta with two dice: three legs, two buoys, a wind chart for calms and gusts, and the exact race odds.

How to play curling with two dice: the hammer, stones in the house, takeouts and the exact odds of scoring an end.

How to swim a 100 metre race with two dice: a stroke chart, walls and push-off turns over four lengths, with the exact race odds.

How to row a 2,000 metre race with two dice: power strokes, sprints and crabs on a 40-square course, with the exact race odds.

How to play ski jumping with two dice: a distance chart, a style chart, two jumps each and the odds of the winning score.

How to play a bike race with two dice: climbs, breakaways, sprints and punctures on a 60-square course, with the exact race odds.

How to play archery with two dice: a target chart from the gold 10 to a miss, six ends of three arrows and the odds of each score.

How to play boxing with two dice: red and blue corners, a punch chart, 10-9 rounds and the odds of a knockout.

How to play handball with two dice: the throw-off, an attack chart with 7-metre throws and typical scores.

How to play ten-pin bowling with two dice: a pin chart, strikes, spares, real scoring and the exact odds.

How to play darts with two dice: a 301 countdown, a dart chart with trebles and the bull, and the exact odds.

How to play rugby with two dice: the kick-off, an attack chart, tries, conversions and typical scores.

How to play volleyball with two dice: who serves first, a rally chart, rally scoring and set lengths.

How to play tennis with two dice: who serves first, a point chart, real tennis scoring and set odds.

How to play ice hockey with two dice: the face-off, a rush chart, overtime and the shootout.

How to play soccer with two dice: the kick-off, a match chart, typical scores and penalties.

How to play Tenzi, the ten-dice speed race: rules, a fair start and the exact odds.

How to play basketball with two dice: the tip-off, a shot chart and typical scores.

How to play cricket with one die: the toss, a runs-and-wickets chart and typical scores.

How to play Generala with five dice: the score sheet, served hands and the odds of each hand.

A whole ball game with two dice: rules, a simple hit-and-out chart with exact odds and runs per game.

Nine holes, two dice, lowest score wins: rules, how much rerolls help and the best keep-or-reroll rule.

Bingo with two dice and a 3 by 3 card: classroom rules, the chance of each sum and which card fills fastest.

A group push-your-luck game where a 7 wipes the pot: rules, the chance of a 7, pot sizes and when to bank.

Race horses 2 to 12 with two dice: classroom rules, fair horse picks, win chance per horse and a fairer track puzzle.

Cover the sum of two dice on a 2 to 12 board: classroom rules, which squares fill first, game length and teaching ideas.

Only doubles score, double 6 is worth 25 and double 3 sends you back to zero. Rules, odds and game length.

Pick a number from 6 to 9 and hope you never roll it. Rules and the odds of each knockout number.

Roll, add and stop before you pass 21. Rules, the exact chance of going bust and the best time to stop.

Stand to collect, sit to keep, and hope no 1 comes up. Rules, the odds and the best time to sit.

The five-dice game like Yahtzee: rules, the seven scoring boxes and the odds of each one.

Roll five dice, but every 2 and 5 drops dead. Rules, an example turn, the odds and average scores.

Roll, make the biggest number, and challenge the next player. A place value game with exact odds.

Eleven rounds, targets from 2 to 12, two dice. Rules and the odds of hitting each target.

Stand up, guess heads or tails, sit down if wrong. Rules, teaching ideas and how long a game lasts.

Roll three dice, keep the highest each time, and see exact odds for every score.

Werewolf roles, fair random role cards, the moderator’s night script, how many werewolves with odds, tips and variations.

No-smiling circle game words and rules, a fair random first player, how many tries until a smile, tips and variations.

Category word game rules, scoring, a fair random letter, how often letters repeat, judging and variations.

Three-round word game rules, fair random teams and order, how many slips per player, hosting tips and variations.

Hunt the thimble rules, a fair random hider, hot and cold hints, how many hiding spots, tips and variations.

Drama warm-up circle rules, a fair random starter, how long until a mistake, warm-up tips and variations.

Circle seat-swap rules, fair random fruit groups, odds of being left in the middle, tips and variations.

How to play ninja: rules for the hand-tap party game, a fair first move, how many players are left as turns go by, safety tips and variations.

How to play spud: the rules and S-P-U-D letters, fair random numbering, the odds your number is called, safety tips and variations.

Four corners rules for the classroom: picking a corner at random, the odds of being out each round, teacher tips and variations.

How to play Kim’s game: the memory tray rules, fair random item picks, how many items to use by age, the name’s origin and variations.

Silent ball rules for the classroom: who is out, a fair random first thrower, how long rounds last, teacher tips and variations.

Steal the bacon rules for PE and camp: scoring, fair random numbering, the odds of your number being called, safety tips and variations.

How to play cat’s cradle with two players, a common sequence of figures, a fair way to choose who starts, history and tips.

Button, button rules and rhyme, a fair way to pick the hider and guesser, guess odds by group size, tips and variations.

Balloon stomp rules, fair random teams with a team size table, safety and noise tips, small and large group versions and variations.

How to play jacks, every round from onesies to tensies with a pickup table, a fair way to choose who goes first, and the knucklebones history.

Doggy, Doggy, Where’s Your Bone? rules and chant, a fair way to pick the doggy, guess odds by class size, classroom tips and variations.

Pin the tail on the donkey rules, a fair random turn order, blindfold safety, easy setup without a printer, history and variations.

British bulldog rules, safer tag and tail versions for schools, a fair way to choose the first bulldog, field tips and variations.

Cat and mouse circle game rules, gate rules that keep it fair, a random way to choose the cat and mouse, tips and variations.

Piggy in the middle rules, fair ways to choose the first piggy, rotation rules, ball and age tips and variations.

Statues game rules, a fair way to choose the judge, statue themes picked at random, musical statues and classroom tips.

Octopus tag rules, seaweed rules that keep it fair, a random way to choose the octopus, gym and field versions and variations.

Rules, fair secret roles, lucky-guess odds, tips and a classroom version.

Rules, how many catchers, a fair random pick, rescue rules and variations.

Rules, a fair random first shark, pool and field versions, safety and variations.

Rules, a warmer/colder clue scale, a fair random hider and a classroom version.

Rules, safe leaping, a fair random line order, a relay version and variations.

Rules, scoring ideas, a fair throwing order, ringer odds, and a DIY setup.

Rules, move ideas, a fair leader rotation, and how often random moves repeat.

Rules, step ideas, a fair way to choose Mother, and a dice version with turn odds.

Setup, cancellation scoring, coin flip for first throw, random doubles pairs, and hit odds.

Classic rules, why many schools dropped it, a safer version, and a fair way to call players.

Outs and fouls, a fair random team split, kicking order, coin flip to kick first, and safety.

Classic ring rules, knuckling down, a fair shooting order, and for fair vs for keeps.

Standard rules, a fair random team draw, coin flip for first ball, and safety rules.

Pool game rules, the fish out of water call, a fair way to choose Marco, and safety tips.

Long rope rules, classic rhymes and games, fair turners, and the odds of long jump streaks.

Rules, capturing and freeing players, a fair way to choose who is it, and variations.

Sports day rules, what to use instead of eggs, fair random heats and lanes, and variations.

The quiet calm-down game: rules, a fair way to choose the hunter and the odds of waiting for a turn.

Rules, field setup, jail and rescues, fair random teams and the odds of friends ending up together.

Court, rules, ways to get out, a fair first king and how long the line takes to reach the top.

Rules, how to wrap it, the odds of a child missing out and a fair way to stop the music.

Sardines, the reverse hide and seek: rules, a fair way to pick the hider, good hiding spots and safety rules.

Setup, sowing, extra turns and captures, the best first move, and a simple strategy tested in simulated games.

Why the centre column matters, what the 1988 computer solution showed, and how to build two threats at once.

Which squares hold ships most often, and how hunt and target cut the shots needed in 20,000 simulated games.

The rules, five variations and how often a snap really turns up, from 400,000 simulated shuffles.

Take objects from piles, and learn the simple trick that tells you who can force a win.

The rules, the double-cross chain trick, the long chain rule and tips for small boards.

Rules, the odds of every first move from all 255,168 games, and a strategy that never loses.

Ready-made indoor, outdoor, classroom and photo lists, random teams and a fair points system.

Dance, then freeze when the music stops. Rules, fair random stops, how long a game takes and versions where nobody is out.

Ready or not, here I come. Rules, how long to count, sardines and other variations, and safety rules for kids.

Move on green, freeze on red. Rules, yellow light and other variations, safety tips and a fair way to pick the caller.

Guess the word letter by letter. Rules, which letters to try first from a big word count, hard words and kinder classroom versions.

Only obey when Simon says so. Rules, good commands, harder tricks and kinder versions where nobody is out.

I spy with my little eye: rules, how many guesses it takes, colour and sound versions, and tips for car trips and classrooms.

Hook fingers, say the chant and pin the other thumb. Rules, fair play, tips and why one round favours the underdog.

Whisper a message down the line and see what comes out. Rules, why it changes, picture telephone and other classroom variants.

Tap, split and knock out both hands. Cutoff and rollover rules, tips, and why the second player wins with perfect play.

Build each suit out from its 7 and empty your hand first. Rules, blocking strategy, variations and the odds of the deal.

Turn two cards, find the pairs. Rules, what counts as a pair, the odds of a lucky first match and how many turns a perfect memory needs.

Pass cards, collect four of a kind and grab a spoon: one is always missing. Setup, rules, the SPOONS letters version and odds.

Turn cards into the middle and slap the jack first. Rules, wrong slaps, doubles and sandwiches, and how often a jack appears.

The classic circle chase: rules, Gray Duck and other variations, safety tips and a no-repeat rule so every child is picked.

Pass it round while the music plays. Rules, how to keep the stop random, why fast hands are caught less, and variations.

Match by suit or rank, play wild 8s and shed your hand first. Rules, scoring, variations and the odds of holding an 8.

Remove one queen, pair up, pass cards around and hope you are not left with the Old Maid. Rules, variations and odds.

The rules for 2 to 6 players, common variations, the odds of a good ask, and why memory beats luck.

Why seven riffle shuffles, how close each shuffle gets to random, and why the overhand shuffle needs far more.

The chance of hitting a blot at every distance, coming in from the bar, doubles and the average roll.

The rules, how many chairs, how long a game takes, versions where nobody is out, and a fair way to stop the music.

The quiet classroom guessing game: rules, variations, the chance of being tapped and of guessing right.

The rules, what happens in a war, common variations, and how long a game lasts in a million simulated games.

The answer is 14.7 on average. The exact odds, the coupon collector maths and why pickers should remove winners.

Pick your three-flip pattern second and win at least 2 games in 3. The trick, the exact odds and why it works.

The rules, the best guess for every card, the odds of a long run and whether counting cards helps.

The rules, house rules, the real odds of rolling a 6 or being captured, and simple strategy.

Rules, house rules, how long a game really takes (worked out exactly) and the game’s roots in India.

Roll a 6 for the body, then draw legs, eyes and feelers. Rules, a number chart and how long a game really takes.

How computers fake randomness, the trap called modulo bias, and how our tools pick fairly.

Why streaks fool us, the Monte Carlo night black hit 26 times, and when due is actually right.

Three doors, one car: why switching wins 2 times in 3, the 100-door trick and when it really is 50/50.

The two-dice party game where 21 beats everything: rules, roll order and the odds of beating any score.

Threes count as zero and the lowest score wins: rules, computed best strategy and winning scores.

Poker hands with five dice: rankings, exact odds of every hand, tie-breaks and tips.

The chip-passing party dice game: rules, playing with normal dice and which seat wins most often.

The full scorecard, the 63-point bonus, joker rules and the real odds of rolling a Yahtzee.

The five-dice pub classic: find a 6, 5 and 4 in three rolls, the real odds and when to reroll your cargo.

The one-die push-your-luck game: rules, variants like Skunk and the math behind hold at 20.

The classic tile and dice game: rules, scoring, the real odds of shutting the box and how to improve them.

The social dice game for groups: six rounds, scoring, moving tables, prizes and the odds of a Bunco.

The push-your-luck dice game: full rules, a scoring chart, hot dice and the odds of a farkle.

The dice bluffing game: bidding, calling Liar, Perudo with wild ones and a little probability for better bids.

The secret-role party game: roles, how many Mafia to use, night and day rounds, and where it came from.

The Hanukkah spinning top game: what each letter means, the odds, and how to play without a dreidel.

Rules for 75-ball and 90-ball bingo, calling numbers with a random number generator, and classroom ideas.

The rules, the classic hand signals, word ideas for every age, and how the game grew from word riddles.

Why 23 people give a 50.7% chance of a shared birthday: a table, the easy maths and a classroom experiment.

The classic yes or no guessing game: rules, animal-vegetable-mineral, how to ask smart questions, 50 things to guess and its history.

The classic icebreaker: rules, classroom, work and online versions, how to tell a good lie, and 60 example statements.

Fold a cootie catcher step by step, play it, and fill it with yes/no answers, funny fortunes, dares or class questions.

Why 7 wins from 1 to 10, how fake coin flips give themselves away, and a quick class experiment.

The hand game for two: rules, why evens wins 52% without a fist, and morra, the finger game the Romans played.

Fair ways to draw Secret Santa names: why the hat needs redraws, the no-redraw circle method, couples and exclusions.

Sudden death, closest number, coin, roll-off, casting votes and famous ties in sport.

Split evenly, pay what you ordered, take turns, or let a coin or name picker decide.

Why 7 and 8 are lucky, why 4, 13 and 17 are not, and whether it changes your odds.

The 3-option rule, a veto round, a food wheel and the coin flip trick.

Balance the jobs, spin or rotate, chore lists by age, and rules for roommates.

How to draw straws fairly, why drawing order does not matter, and lots from Athens to Venice.

Funny, party, school and sleepover questions, plus 3 games to play with the ball.

Silly challenge wheel, dice actions, fair pass the parcel and more, with tips by age.

Guess My Number, Higher or Lower, number bingo, target number and more.

Coins, dice, straws and name pickers: which are really random, plus ties and play order.

Heads or Tails Elimination, Matching Pennies, the 100-flip experiment and more.

Lizard Spock, Bear Hunter Ninja, hoop hop and more for parties and PE.

Pig, Beat That, Farkle, Shut the Box and more, with rules and the online dice roller.

Name picker, number shuffle or counting off, plus how to keep teams balanced.

Health, money, learning, home, people, kids and more, each one ready to spin.

Number the entries, draw without repeats, pick backups and keep a record.

Dinner, chores, class, party games, date night and more, each one ready to spin.

Funny and deeper truths, indoor and sleepover dares, plus rules that keep it fair.

Quick pick-one questions for parties, road trips, class and icebreakers.

Basic rules, tie-break rules and clean versions for kids, classrooms and teams.

Quick classroom games and routines using free random tools.

The win-stay, lose-shift pattern from a 2014 study, and how to use it.

Clean prompts for kids, families, classrooms and friends, with no-drinking rules.

The full list: 10 yes, 5 maybe, 5 no, and why it says yes twice as often as no.

Funny, hard, food, travel, superpower and kid-friendly would you rather questions.

Pros and cons, 10-10-10, the coin-flip gut check and more, with sources.

Exact odds for two-dice sums, rolling a 6, doubles and d20 advantage.

What 350,757 real flips say about the 51% same-side bias, streaks and fair tosses.

Name pickers, sticks and numbers, avoiding repeats, and keeping cold calling kind.

Kid-friendly truths and dares for ages 5 to 13, with house rules for parents and teachers.

Funny, deep, couple and kid-friendly yes or no questions, with tips for asking them.

The 2,000-year journey of coin flipping as a decision maker, from Roman "navia aut caput" to digital yes/no buttons.

The surprising history of the Magic 8 Ball and how it became the world's most famous yes/no tool.

How tarot readers use cards for simple yes or no answers, and what the cards reveal.

From Mesopotamian dice to modern D20s, rolling for yes/no has never gone out of style.

How the first slot machine in 1895 evolved into modern yes/no decision games.

This children's rhyme has roots in ancient Celtic and Saxon decision-making rituals.

How this hand game evolved from Chinese hand commands to a global decision maker.

The history of decision wheels, from ancient lottery wheels to modern digital spinners.

This party classic has roots in ancient command games played by Greek symposiums.