The Yahtzee Challenge 2015-2016 - Q&A/Discussion Thread

[Fran, Moderator]

The Yahtzee Challenge - January 1,2015- January 31, 2016


Well, it's really our version of Yahtzee ;)

A big thank you to Juliet for the idea of using Yahtzee, the dice game, for a challenge.


Here is the link to the real Yahtzee game if you would like to see how the real game works.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahtzee

http://www.hasbro.com/common/instruct...





Join us in our version of Yahtzee. This challenge will be held from Jan. 1, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2016.

It's a 13 month challenge, with the participant 'rolling the dice' once a month. The dice need to be rolled between the 28th of the month before and the 5th of the current challenge month. You will then have the rest of the month to complete that month's task.

Only one task can be completed each month. There will be no scorekeeping, instead, you will put the title of the book(s) and date you completed the task next to the task name. This means you have completed that task for the month and you cannot do the same task again.


Random.org Dice Roller- http://www.random.org/dice/

Be sure to set the dice roller to 5 dice for your first roll.

Participants are to roll once a month. Using random.org, roll 5 dice. Re-roll only the number of dice you want to throw back. Do that again for the third roll. You may be happy with your first or second roll. There is no need to roll further.



If you cannot fit your 'roll' into any remaining task that you have, there will be an alternate task to complete. The alternate task will change each month. If you need to use an alternate task, please put the word 'alternate' in an empty task space along with the date completed.

Minimum page count of 100 pages unless specified for the task. Re-reads allowed, as well as audio-books.

There will be two threads for this challenge. A Discussion/Questions thread here, and another thread just for your progress. Please update your original post for this challenge. All record keeping should be kept to your one original post :)


Yahtzee Challenge-



For Ones - Sixes - you need 3 of the same number to claim that task. It could be more, but at least 3

Ones - Read a book with a one word title
Twos- Read a book with a two word title
Threes- Read a book with a three word title
Fours- Read a book with a four word title
Fives- Read a book with a five word title
Sixes- Read a book with a six word title


3 of a kind-3 of the same number-Read 1 book with three of the same letter in title (i.e. Northern Exposure (3 e's)

4 of a kind-4 of the same number- Read 1 book with at least 4 of the same things on the cover (i.e 4 legs, 4 eyes, 4 noses)

Full House-2 of the same number and 3 of the same number- Read 1 book with a 2 in page count and read 1 book with a 3 in page count.

Sm.Straight-4 numbers in a row (i.e. 2,3,4,5) - Read 2 consecutive books in a series (i.e. book 2 and 3, book 1 and 2)

Lg.Straight-5 numbers in a row (1,2,3,4,5 or 2,3,4,5,6) Read an Anthology

YAHTZEE (5 of the same number)-Read any book of your choice

Chance (for when your roll doesn't fit anywhere else)- Read a book by a new author, take a
chance ;)








An example of an alternative roll -

December (for example)-
If your roll does not fit any of your remaining categories, read a book that has been on your TBR for longer than 6 mths.


Example of a roll-

Using random.org / dice roller, I rolled 5 dice.

I rolled a 6,2,6,2,3

I will keep the two 6s and re-roll the other three.

I rolled a 1,5,3 - they don't help me so I will re-roll three dice.

I rolled a 3,4,5 - yay for me! I will use my 3,4,5,6 from my 3,4,5,6,6 roll and read the task for the small straight.

When I am done reading 2 consecutive books in a series, I will post the date I completed it.

[Fran, Moderator]

This thread is for any questions you may have about The Yahtzee Challenge.

Please keep track of your progress in the Participants Thread -
Yahtzee Challenge Participants Thread


Dice Roller- http://www.random.org/dice/

[Fran, Moderator]

*Alternate Tasks*


-January- Read a book published in 2014
-February- Read a book with the color RED or PINK on -the cover (any amount of red or pink is fine)
-March- Read a book with a main character athlete, or has a sport that is played in the story or has sports equipment on the cover (i.e. a baseball glove, ball, skis)
-April- Read a book with a weapon on the cover or used in story,(you can be creative with what you think could be used as a weapon)
-May- Read a book set in a place you would like to visit. Please state the place when posting.
-June- Read a book with a dress, flower(s) or jewelry on cover
-July- Read a book with food on the cover or where food places an important part of the story
-August- Read a book with a musician character or a book with a colorful cover or an instrument or microphone on the cover.
-September- Read a book with a cowboy character, or a book set on a ranch or a book with a hat or a horse or boots on the cover.
-October- Read a Paranormal Romance, or a book with a dark cover.
-November- Read a book you got for free; i.e. borrowed, was gifted, freebie on Amazon, etc.
-December- Read a book that you have been meaning to get to for awhile or a Historical romance.
-January- Read a book published in 2015 or a book that is first in a series

[Fran, Moderator]

*

[Calila]

Glad to see you changed up some of the categories! =)

[Fran, Moderator]

Glad you like them Calila! I thought it would be more fun and fresh for those participating for the second time to have some new categories :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

So just to check - other than the new categories, it's pretty much the same but we have a few extra days in the new month to remember to roll?

*fingers crossed* I can actually do better in 2015!!

[Fran, Moderator]

Yes, a few different categories, a few more days to roll, and....I decreased the page requirement from 125 to 100 pages :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Aha! OK - good to know :) I missed the page number reduction...

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

question since there are only 28 day in February, can we roll for example on the 27 of February instead of the 28? just want to be clear on this because I will be hosting a challenge in March and will be busy from Feb. 28th to March 5th

[Fran, Moderator]

Yes! You can roll earlier in February :)

[Melissa]

Love this challenge! I'm all signed up on the participants thread. Now I need to finish this years ;)

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

I too LOVED this challenge .. I can't wait :)

[Sassafrass]

*Tip for anyone who was as confused as me when first looking at the rules*

Head over to last year (this year's) thread and look what the participants did. It really helped me seeing it in action.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Roger - president of NBR United -]

Fran wrote: "Yes! You can roll earlier in February :)"

Thank you.

[[deleted user]]

Sassafrass wrote: "*Tip for anyone who was as confused as me when first looking at the rules*

Head over to last year (this year's) thread and look what the participants did. It really helped me seeing it in action...."


Thank you sooo much! Here I thought I was the only one who was confused! The link helped me a bit, thank you:) At least now I'm only 'somewhat' confused as opposed to being 'totally' confused before looking through the link!

[Fran, Moderator]

Please ask any questions you have about the challenge here! I'm happy to explain anything :)

[Lura]

I have a question. Not about how the challenge works, though. I understand that since I participated in the first one.

However, I wanted to know if I could borrow steal the idea to use in another group. We have several reading challenges in this other group, but most of them have died off due to the person who started it having (more or less) abandoned the challenge. And in one case, the group. I'm hoping the more interactive nature of this challenge will help revive the group's challenges (and other things).

Thanks in advance for considering this. ^_^

[Katherine]

I will be doing this challenge the first time. And I what to know when do we be doing the rolling?

[Fran, Moderator]

I will post a reminder before the roll date.

You will roll the dice between the 28th of the month before through the 5th of the month.

For example, for January's roll, you can roll any time between Dec. 28- Jan. 5.

If you forget to roll, you will need to complete the alternate task for that month and place it in any spot you want on your 'scoresheet'.

[Katherine]

If I rolled in time and I want to do the rolled task and alternate task, could I read both tasks?

[Fran, Moderator]

Katherine wrote: "If I rolled in time and I want to do the rolled task and alternate task, could I read both tasks?"

Nope. The alternate task is only used if you forget to roll, or as the challenge goes on, and tasks get taken up, and rolls start to not fit, the alternate task is used.

[Cheryl]

I want to join the game and i pretty much read 15-20 books per month but i'm not on all the time due to school, my health and my daughter. what do i do if i miss the time to roll from the 28th to the 5th. I'm also forgetful sometimes. so i just do an alternate for that missed month or what. Thanks

[Fran, Moderator]

Karen asked:

Can you please explain what the task for full house will consist of?? thank you


For Full House, an example would be....
1. Beautiful Bastard- 305 pages (3 in page count)
2. Midnight Man- 220 pages (2 in page count)

[Fran, Moderator]

Cheryl wrote:
I want to join the game and i pretty much read 15-20 books per month but i'm not on all the time due to school, my health and my daughter. what do i do if i miss the time to roll from the 28th to the 5th. I'm also forgetful sometimes. so i just do an alternate for that missed month or what. Thanks


If you miss the time to roll you need to use the alternate task for that month.

[Dee]

also note that we do post a reminder in the monthly newsletter that goes out with the reminder to roll - so you can always use that as your need to remember moment ;)

[Fran, Moderator]

I also post a reminder in both the Participants thread and Questions thread a few days before the start date for the next month :)

[☘KathyD☘]

ok...so i don't play yahtzee very often...so i was not understanding the roll, then roll the number of dice you want again [yes, i'm slow! ;)]...

so, if on my first roll, i get 5 3 1 6 6...i can "go back" and roll a second time...and if that roll gives me 6 1 6...i can keep it at four of a kind?

like i said, i'm a little slow on the obvious sometimes and just wanted to check instead of freaking myself out!

sorry if this is the dumbest question ever posted! :)

[Fran, Moderator]

There are no dumb questions Kathy!

If you roll a 53166 and want to 'keep' the 66, then set dice roller to '3' and roll again. If you get, say, 623, you keep the 6, so now you have 666. Roll again setting roller to '2'. Maybe you get 13. Now you are done. You have 6,6,6,1,3. So you can use that for 3 of a kind or 6's, your choice.

Does that make sense?

[☘KathyD☘]

yes it does fran...but rest assured, if i get 6 6 6, i'm so using the alternative choice for that month! ;)

thanks much!!

[Cheryl]

Dee wrote: "also note that we do post a reminder in the monthly newsletter that goes out with the reminder to roll - so you can always use that as your need to remember moment ;)"



lololol ok thats good cause i need reminding. My brain sometimes goes blank even with reminders. Unfortunately my brain thinks im still blond, lmao. i just wanted to make sure though. I try to stay on track.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Don't worry Cheryl, I did most of last year's Yahtzee on 'alternative tasks'. I excel in forgetting!

[Sally906]

Just checking - for January's book I roll the dice on the 28th and post the result on my thread - and what book I will be reading to fulfil the result.

Got that bit :)

My question is I don't actually start to read the book until the 1st January do I?

[Dee]

nope you can't read until Jan 1 ;)

[Fran, Moderator]

Reminder!

Please roll your dice between Dec. 28th and January 5th!

If you forget to roll the dice between those dates, please use the January Alternate Task-

January- Read a book published in 2014

[Lura]

Dee wrote: "nope you can't read until Jan 1 ;)"

Waiting can be the hardest part. *nods* ^_-

[Sally906]

Lura wrote: "Dee wrote: "nope you can't read until Jan 1 ;)"

Waiting can be the hardest part. *nods* ^_-"

Is the 28th here in Oz - I have rolled the dice - got the challenge - picked the book and put it on my bedside table ready. I'll be a good girl and not start yet - will just pat it reassuringly.

[Rissa]

I have a couple of questions. I'm sorry if they are stupid but I just really want to make sure.

For the Full House, can it be 3 of the same numbers and then 2 or does it have to be 2 and then 3. For example, say I rolled 1,1,1,5,5? That's not a Full House, right? It would have to be 1,1,5,5,5?

For the Chance, you can use that choice if your roll doesn't fit, correct? It's like an alternate task that you can use once. Right?

And one last question, just to clarify for me. I read one of the question above and the answer but just want to make sure. So, first you would roll 5, if you like three of them, you would just roll 2, correct? And then if you like one of them, you would just roll one again, right? You just roll the number of dice to satisfy the number of choices you want changed, correct? Does my question make sense? Lol.

Sorry. I just really want to make sure I'm doing it right. Thank you! :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Rissa!

Yes, 1,1,1,5,5 IS a full house. The 2 and 3 of a kind can be in any order. I will clarify that in the rules. The order of the numbers you roll can be in any order, you can rearrange the order to fit what you need.

Yes, you got the Chance space correct :)

Yes, you also got the mechanics of rolling the dice correct too.....you are set!

[[deleted user]]

Okay, I've got a potentially dumb question. I just rolled my dice and got 5,4,4,6,4 in the first roll. Now should I classify it as fours or three of a kind? What it the difference between these?

[Dee]

you can pick either one - its just to you

4's - a 4 word title
3 of a kind - 3 of the same letter in the title

take a look at your january to-reads and figure out which works best (I got similar and went with 3 of a kind because I have a book that fits it already scheduled to be read)

[[deleted user]]

Dee wrote: "you can pick either one - its just to you

4's - a 4 word title
3 of a kind - 3 of the same letter in the title

take a look at your january to-reads and figure out which works best (I got similar ..."


Great, thank you so much!

[Rissa]

Fran wrote: "Hi Rissa!

Yes, 1,1,1,5,5 IS a full house. The 2 and 3 of a kind can be in any order. I will clarify that in the rules. The order of the numbers you roll can be in any order, you can rearrange the ..."

Hi Fran! Awesome!

Thank you so much! :)

This is super exciting, lol!

[Margaret]

Sally906 wrote: "Is the 28th here in Oz - I have rolled the dice - got the challenge - picked the book andput it on my bedside table ready. I'll be a good girl and not start yet - will just pat it reassuringly.
..."

LOL Sally906. I have also rolled and have spent the last 20 minutes trying to get my scorecard tracking post to look the way I want it :)

[Fran, Moderator]

Here's my roll for January.....in case anyone wanted to see another example....


Roll #1- 3,6,6,3,3 - keeping the 3,3,3
Roll #2- 6,4 - so now have 3,3,3,4,6 - keeping the 3,3,3
Roll #3- 5,4- so I end up with 3,3,3,4,5

I will use either three of a kind or 3's......not sure which one yet.

I didn't have to roll 3 times. I could have stopped at one time and used either full house or 3's or 3 of a kind. But I rolled again trying for the Yahtzee. And a third time still looking for Yahtzee, but knowing I at least had 3 of a kind or 3's already set if I needed it.

[☘KathyD☘]

so....i have four-of-a-kind....does it have to be exactly four items on the cover? i have a book with a full hand (five fingers) and a bunch of casino chips (more than four)...would that count?

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I got a Yahtzee!! I got a Yahtzee!!

After 6 months in a row of using the alternate task after rolling NOTHING in last year's challenge, I'm super excited to actually roll something! I was expecting to have to use Chance on the very first month!

[Calila]

MountainKat wrote: "I got a Yahtzee!! I got a Yahtzee!!

After 6 months in a row of using the alternate task after rolling NOTHING in last year's challenge, I'm super excited to actually roll something! I was expecti..."

Wooo! YAY MountainKat!!!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Kathy - Fran will need to answer your question :) She should drop by sometime soon...

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

MountainKat wrote: "I got a Yahtzee!! I got a Yahtzee!!

After 6 months in a row of using the alternate task after rolling NOTHING in last year's challenge, I'm super excited to actually roll something! I was expecti..."

Congrats MKat! I'm so excited for you (my buddy alternate tasker ;)