It's Hanukkah! Are you ready to play dreidel? Maybe you're not sure about the rules? Check out this page for a short list of rules that'll get you started. If you need a more complete guide, be sure to take a look at our page on How to Play Dreidel.
Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel
The term dreidel came from the Yiddish word meaning "to turn".Jewish Mag: The Dreidel
The four sides of the dreidel are Nun, Gimel, Hey and Shin. Each word is a command that the players must follow when the dreidel lands.MileChai: Dreidel Rules
Nun, Gimel, Heh and Shin represent the words Nas-Godol-Hayah-Sham, which means "A Great Miracle Happened There."Jewish Mag: The Dreidel
The four sides of the dreidel are representative of the four nations that once enslaved the Jews.Jewish Mag: The Dreidel
Dreidels are usually made from plastic, wood or clay. Some designer dreidels have been made of sliver and glass as well.Chabad: What is a Dreidel
What You Need
2 or More People: The more the better!
Dreidel: Dreidels come in different sizes and colors (and can be made from many different materials). There is no standard Dreidel. If it spins and has each of the four characters, it should work. My Jewish Learning: Dreidel Rules
Tokens: While Hanukkah Gelt is commonly used as a point marker, you can use almost any small countable objects (such as nuts, raisins, real coins, or candy). Make sure to have at least ten for each person playing.My Jewish Learning: Dreidel Rules
Hebrew Letters on the Dreidel
- Besides their symbolic meaning, the 4 Hebrew letters that are found on each Dreidel have a specific meaning when it comes to playing the game. Here are brief descriptions of each letter and what to do when your Dreidel lands on them.
Gimmel
- Action: You take All of the pieces that are in the pot
- English: Everything
- Yiddish: GantzMileChai: Dreidel Rules
Hay
- Action: You get Half of the pieces that are in the pot
- English: Half
- Yiddish: HalbMileChai: Dreidel Rules
Shin
- Action: You Put One of your pieces back into the pot
- English: Put InMileChai: Dreidel Rules
- Yiddish: Shtel
Nun
- Action: You Don't Do Anything
- English: Nothing
- Yiddish: NishtMileChai: Dreidel Rules
Now Let's Play Dreidel
- Playing the game is simplicity itself. Just follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Decide how many people are going to play.
- Step 2: Divide your pieces evenly between each of the players.
- Step 3: Everyone puts one of their pieces in the pot to start the game.
- Step 4: The first player (either the youngest or the oldest) takes their turn and spins the Dreidel.
- Step 5: According to which letter is facing up, the player completes the appropriate action (see above).
- Step 6: The Dreidel is then passed on to the next player.
- Step 7: The game continues until one player holds all of the pieces.MileChai: Dreidel Rules
Other Rules
- After someone takes the entire pot, each of the players is required to put one piece in the pot.
- If a player loses all of their pieces, they are usually required to leave the game.My Jewish Learning: Dreidel Rules
- For more details and background on playing Dreidel, please visit our page on How to Play Dreidel
References for Dreidel Rules
References
Fast Facts
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Hanukkah 2008
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Fact:
Usually played with Hanukkah gelt
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Fact:
Four Hebrew letters on the Dreidel each have a specific meaning when playing the game
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Fact:
If a player loses all his or her pieces, he or she usually must leave the gameMy Jewish Learning: Dreidel Rules
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Fact:
Game is played until one player holds all of the piecesMy Jewish Learning: Dreidel Rules
