OK, first and foremost, we all know that any game involving dice as its primary element is going to be heavily influenced by luck. But so what! Yahtzee is still an enjoyable game to play from time to time, because it's exciting to roll those dice hoping for a particular combination of numbers.

I certainly hope I don't need to go into a detailed description of how the game is played, so I'll just highlight what keeps this game a good one for occasional family fun.

1. There are some decisions. Each turn you must decide after your initial roll what to keep and what to roll again. Then at the end of your third roll sometimes you have to decide how to score your roll.


2. Kids can compete on a level playing field with adults. The rules are elementary, and kids like to throw those dice.


3. Although there is some downtime waiting for others to take their turns, this makes Yahtzee a great social game. It's a good game to play if some people just want to talk, because they can do both.

Though obviously not for the serious strategy gamers, Yahtzee fulfills its purpose. It is a tip- top family game that accommodates all ages.