4 December is National Dice Day, which is celebrated annually across the world.
Dice form part of many of the games we play, and there are even some that are played with only the dice, so to celebrate National Dice Day, choose your favourite game, and play!
Dice are typically thrown onto a flat surface, either from a dice cup or the hand. To determine the value of the throw, the value of the numbers on the uppermost face of the dice, after they have landed, is calculated. A popular dice game is called “craps” – here a bet is placed on the total value of the throw of the dice. Dice – which are frequently used in board games – randomise the moves of a player, by determining the distance a piece will move on a board. Popular board games using this method include Monopoly and backgammon.
The origin of dice is uncertain but they are known to have been around for thousands of years. At an archaeological site in South Eastern Iran, named the Burnt City, the oldest known dice were excavated. They were believed to have formed part of a 5 000-year-old backgammon game.
Dice were originally made from the talus (ankle bones) of hoofed animals. Other materials used included wood, ivory and plastic. Few people know that “dice” is a plural word, originally pronounced as “dies”, from the singular form “die”.
To celebrate today, get your friends and family together and enjoy your favourite game using dice.
Post on social media using #NationslDiceDay.
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