Dreidel Game Rules


Learn a new game and work on a try-it or badge at the same time

The dreidel is a 4-sided top of ancient origin. The Hebrew letters on the side are nun, gimel, hay, and shin. They form an acronym in Hebrew which means "A great miracle happened there."

This game is best played in groups of 4-6. Each player gets an equal number of pennies, nuts, M&Ms, or whatever you wish to use. (I like poker chips-- they don't get mashed into the carpet) and puts one in the center for the "pot."

Each player rolls the dreidel. If it lands on:

nun Nun -- the player gets nothing. hay Hay -- the player takes half of the pot.
gimel Gimel -- the player takes all of the pot. shin Shin -- the player puts a penny (nut, poker chip) into the pot.

Each time the pot is emptied out, each player puts in a penny (nut, poker chip) and the game continues.


Learning the Dreidel Game fulfills any one of the following patch or try-it requirements:

  • Juliette Low World Friendship Patch, parts 5, 13, 20, or 23
  • Around the World Try-It, part 6
  • Any part of the Play Try-It (all parts are games from around the world)
  • People of the World Try-It, part 3
  • World Neighbors Junior Badge, part 1 (global games) or part 3 (holiday traditions)

And, to paraphrase the song, if you "have a little dreidel (and make) it out of clay" it fulfills the Junior Toymaker Badge part 1 (spinning toy) or part 2 (international toy)

(Non-toxic "polymer clay" can be baked in home oven.)


Note: Scout leaders and teachers are welcome to copy this page for troop or classroom use.


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Page last updated May 5, 2003.
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