Dice Volleyball Game: Rules, Rally Chart and Odds
Dice volleyball is a paper version of volleyball for two players or two teams. Each roll of two dice is one rally: there are aces and service errors, and, just as in real volleyball, the receiving team has a small edge because it gets the first attack. Points are scored on every rally, sets go to 25 and must be won by two. All you need is two dice and a pencil. Below is a simple home version with the exact chance of each result.
What you need
- Two six-sided dice, or a dice roller set to two dice.
- A scoresheet with a column for each team, or two rows of numbers from 1 to 25 to cross off.
- Two players, or two teams that take turns rolling.
- A coin flip to decide who serves first.
Who serves first
In real volleyball the captains toss a coin, and the winner chooses to serve or to receive. A coin flip does the same job here. As you will see below, receiving first is a tiny advantage in this game, so a sharp captain may choose to receive.
How to play
- The serving team rolls both dice, adds them up and looks at the chart below.
- Whoever wins the rally scores one point, whether they served or not. This is called rally scoring.
- The team that wins the rally serves the next one. If the receiving team wins, the serve passes to them.
- The first team to 25 points with a lead of two wins the set. At 24-24 keep playing until one team is two points ahead.
- A match is the best of three sets. If it goes to a third set, play it to 15 points, still with a lead of two.
This chart is a common style of home version, not an official game. Families and teachers often make their own, so agree on it before the first serve.
The rally chart and the chance of each result
In the table, “Roll” is the total of the two dice, “Result” is what happens on that rally and “Chance” is the exact probability of that total out of the 36 ways two dice can land.
| Roll | Result | Chance |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Ace: serving team wins the point | 1 in 36 |
| 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 | Serving team wins the rally | 14 in 36 |
| 6, 7, 8, 9 | Receiving team wins the rally | 20 in 36 |
| 2 | Service error: receiving team wins the point | 1 in 36 |
Adding up the rows, the serving team wins 15 rallies in 36, which is 5 in 12 or about 42%, and the receiving team wins the other 58%. That matches real volleyball, where the receiving team usually wins more rallies because it gets to attack first. On average a team scores about 0.7 points in a row each time it gets the serve. You can read more about why the middle totals come up more often in our guide to dice probability.
How long is a set?
The next table describes a whole set. “Set to” is the target score. “Tied one point short” is the chance that the set reaches 24-24 (or 14-14), so that someone has to win by two. “First server wins” is the chance that the team serving the first rally wins the set. Both are worked out exactly from the chart.
| Set to | Tied one point short | First server wins |
|---|---|---|
| 25 points | about 14% | about 49% |
| 15 points | about 18% | about 49% |
In a computer simulation of 100,000 sets, a set to 25 took about 46 rolls on average and a set to 15 about 27, so a three-set match takes a while. Sets to 15 are a good choice for a quick game or a class. Serving first is a very small disadvantage, because the other side wins most rallies; over a whole set it makes only about a 2-point difference in 100 to who wins.
Tips
- Cross off numbers from 1 to 25 on the scoresheet instead of writing scores. It is quicker and you can see who is ahead at a glance.
- Say the score out loud with the serving team first, as a referee would.
- Give each team six players and let them take turns to roll, just like the serving rotation in real volleyball.
- For a short game, play one set to 15.
Classroom ideas
- Fractions: pupils add up the serving team’s chances from the chart and simplify 15 in 36 to 5 in 12.
- Counting on: younger pupils count up to 15 or 25 as they cross off points.
- Tally and graph: each pair plays one set and the class records the final scores, then compares how many sets went past 24-24.
- Fair teams: split the class into teams with a random name picker, then toss a coin for the first serve.
Variations
- Side-out scoring: the old rule, where only the serving team can score a point. Sets take much longer, so play to 15.
- Block: on a 7, the receiving team rolls one die, and on a 6 the block wins the rally back for the serving team.
- Beach volleyball: two players per team, sets to 21, and the third set to 15.
- Rotation: number your six players and change who rolls each time your team wins back the serve.
If you like sports played with dice, try dice tennis or dice football next.
Want another sport for two dice? Try dice bowling, ten frames with strikes, spares and real bowling scoring.
FAQ
How do you play volleyball with dice?
The serving team rolls two dice for each rally. A 12 is an ace and 3, 4, 5, 10 or 11 wins the rally for the serving team; 6, 7, 8 or 9 wins it for the receiving team and a 2 is a service error. The rally winner scores a point and serves next.
What is the chance that the serving team wins a rally?
With this chart it is exactly 15 in 36, which is 5 in 12 or about 42%.
How long is a set of dice volleyball?
A set to 25 takes about 46 rolls on average, and a set to 15 about 27.
Is it better to serve or to receive first?
Receiving first is a very small advantage, because the receiving team wins more rallies. The team that serves first wins about 49% of sets.
How often does a set go past 24-24?
About one set in seven reaches 24-24, and then a team must win by two.
Can I play it without real dice?
Yes. A dice roller with two dice on a phone or classroom screen works the same, and both teams can see the roll.