How to play
Pig is the simplest push-your-luck dice game there is, and a favourite for teaching probability. One die, two players, one decision: roll again or hold.
Choose Computer or Friend in the menu and a target of 50 or 100 points. In friend mode you share the device; there is nothing to hide, so you just take turns.
On your turn:
- Tap Roll. A 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 is added to the points of this turn, shown under the die along with every roll so far.
- Roll as often as you like. Tap Hold to add the turn’s points to your score and pass the die.
- If you roll a 1, everything gathered this turn is lost and the turn ends at once.
Points you have banked are safe. The first player to reach the target wins immediately; there is no final round for the opponent.
Strategy
Hold at 20. With a one-in-six chance of a 1 on every roll, the expected gain of another roll turns negative once the turn holds about 20 points. That rule alone beats most casual players.
Adjust to the score. Behind by a lot, you must take more risk, so push past 20. Close to the finish, roll only until the target is in reach, then hold. If the opponent is about to win, play for the exact points you need in one go, because a cautious hold just hands them the game.
Do not fear a bust. A 1 costs only the current turn, never your banked score. Short, safe turns add up.
About the computer player
The computer holds at 20 by default, raises its threshold a little when it is behind, holds as soon as the target is reached, and plays to catch up in one turn when the opponent is within 15 points of winning. In 1,000 simulated games between two copies of this player the first player won 503 and the second 497, so with equal strategies the order of play hardly matters.
If you enjoy Pig, try Reversi or Sea Battle next.
