The dreidel game is a widely popular Hanukkah custom and one of our family’s favorite holiday traditions. Each year at Hanukkah, we put a bowl of dreidels in the middle of the coffee table. Rarely does a night pass without a spirited and competitive game of dreidel. The game is simple and fun for all ages. Any number of players can participate so it is easy to start up a game.
What You Need to Play the Dreidel Game
You only need a few items to play the game. A good spinning dreidel is essential. Dreidels come in a wide variety of sizes and types so be sure the one you will be playing with is a good spinner. Each player will need an equal number of game pieces. We recommend starting with 10 to 15 per player. These can be coins, gelt (chocolate coins), buttons or any small object you have enough of.
The Rules
The dreidel game begins with each player putting one game piece in the center “pot”. Players spin the dreidel one time per turn.
Players add or remove pieces from the pot depending on which side of the dreidel is facing up when it lands.
- Nun means that the player gets a pass and does nothing.
- Shin requires that the player ad one game piece to the pot.
- Hay gets the player half of the pot.
- Gimel gets the player the entire pot.
Players are out of the game when they run out of pieces. The last player with pieces is the winner and collects all the pieces in the pot. This is an especially sweet victory if you play with gelt.
Wishing your family a festive game of dreidel this Hanukkah. – Melissa