Game setup
Designate someone to be the Banker. The Banker’s role is to facilitate gameplay, manage the winning and losing betting pieces, and keep track of the rounds.
Each player chooses a color, removes a combination of 25 credits from the pouch (i.e. 1 large token and 20 small tokens), and returns the remaining betting pieces to the Banker.
Betting Pieces:
- Small wooden tokens = 1 credit
- Large wooden tokens = 5 credits
- Plastic gems = 10 credits
Bank Management Tip – Rather than keeping the betting pieces in the colored pouches, it may be easier for the Banker to store the pieces in small, separate containers.
At any time during the game, a player may ask the Banker for “change” and trade in a large wooden token for five small wooden tokens. Similarly, if the bank is running low on small wooden tokens, the Banker may ask a player to trade five small wooden tokens for one large wooden token.
Game play - 8 rounds
At the beginning of each round, the Banker adds a yellow flame to the menorah, located in the bottom right-hand corner of the game mat. On the first round, the Banker also adds a flame to the middle Shamus candle.
All players place their bets on the Super Dreidel game mat based on their prediction of the two-dreidel spin result. Each player can make multiple bets and wager as many credits on each bet. Players can place a bets on the same game spaces.
- A bet on the Nun, Gimel, Hey, or Shin space wins if one of those letters are spun.
- A bet on Any Double means that both dreidels will have the same result.
- A bet on all other two-letter spaces wins if that combination of letters is spun.
After everyone finishes placing their bets, a player volunteers to spin both dreidels or two players each spin one dreidel at the same time.
When the dreidels finish spinning, the Banker:
- Uses the three miniature menorahs to mark the dreidel results with the corresponding game spaces. NOTE: Every round there will be exactly three winning spaces.
- Removes all losing bets from the game mat.
- Pays out the winning bets based on the payout ratio indicated on game space.
Winning Payout Examples:
- A 1-credit bet on a 1:1 space, wins 1 credit plus the original wager for a total of 2 credits.
- A 1-credit bet on a 8:1 space, wins 8 credits plus the original wager for a total of 9 credits.
- A 2-credit bet on a 8:1 space, wins 2 times 8 credits (16 credits) plus the original wager of 2 credits for a total of 18 credits.
The next round begins when the Banker removes the miniature menorahs from the gaming area and adds another flame to the Round Tracker menorah.
If a player loses all of their credits that player is out for the remainder of the game. The player with the most credits at the end of eight rounds wins the game!
Super Dreidel variations
Candy Game
Want to sweeten up the game play with gelt or candy? Instead of using the wooden tokens, stock the bank with small, individually wrapped candy, such as chocolate gelt, Starburst or Hershey’s Kisses. Avoid a sticky experience of playing with unwrapped candies like M&M’s or skittles — oy vey. Start each player off with an equal amount of candy and a set of colored gems. Players place their colored gem alongside their candy wagers on the game board to help keep track of everyone’s bets. At the end of each round, the Banker returns the colored gems to each player. Play for eight rounds or as long as players want.
If a player loses all of their candy, they are encouraged to haggle with the Banker for more candy in exchange for future mitzvots, or good deeds.
Chai-Stakes Cash Tournament / Fundraiser
Dreidel is essentially a gambling game. No need to fret because we have consulted our rabbinical authority and have been advised that not only is gambling permitted during Hanukkah but encouraged — particularly when it’s for a good cause.
Before each game, the host or a consensus of players decides on what percentage of the pot will be donated to tzedakah, or charity, and each player buys-in with an equal amount of money. At the end of eight rounds, the player with the most credits wins the allotted money from the pot.
More players than game piece colors?
Don’t kvetch, just improvise. Use beans, Legos, coins, or other small game pieces. Just make sure you have enough extra credits in the bank to payout a big win.
