Penny Drop Rules and Score Sheets

Print the rules and score sheets

• Official rules

  A one-page guide to setup, each roll and winning the round. US Letter PDF.

  Download rules (PDF)

• Full-page score sheet

  Five rounds, up to 10 players, with room for handwritten names and scores. US Letter PDF.

  Download 10-player sheet (PDF)

• Two four-player score sheets

  Print one page and cut it in half. Each four-player card has its own scoring key and three useful QR links. US Letter PDF.

  Download 4-player sheets (PDF)

Print at actual size (100%) on US Letter paper. Score sheets use the optional five-round scoring described below. For Penny Drop Giant, count chips instead of pennies.

How to play Penny Drop

The goal: be the first to get rid of all your pennies. We recommend 2 to 10 players.

Set up

• Use a Penny Drop board and one six-sided die.
• Give each player 12 pennies. You may use 10 or 11 instead, provided everyone starts equally. Players supply their pennies.
• Clear the numbered holes. Everyone rolls to decide who starts: highest roll goes first, then play clockwise.

On your turn

Roll at least once. Follow the matching outcome:

Empty hole 1-5

Place one penny in the matching empty hole.

Occupied hole

Take all pennies showing on the board into your hand. Your turn ends. Pennies already inside the box stay there.

Roll a 6

Drop one penny through hole 6 into the box. Repeated sixes are safe.

After a safe roll: choose to roll again or pass to the next player. Leave the visible pennies on the board when you pass.

No pennies left? You win immediately. For another round, empty the box, clear the board and restore equal starting piles.

Penny Drop Giant uses poker chips in place of pennies; the turn rules are the same. Pennies and dice are small parts. Supervise play appropriately.

Optional five-round scoring

One round already has a winner. For a longer game night, agree before starting to use the score sheets and play five rounds.

Round winner: 0. Everyone else: pennies left in hand. After five rounds: lowest total wins.

1. When someone empties their hand, stop the round.
2. Record only the pennies each player still holds. Do not count pennies on the board or inside the box.
3. Reset equal starting piles and clear the board and box before the next round.
4. Add each player's five scores. The lowest total wins.

For example, if Mia wins and Leo has 4 pennies left, record 0 for Mia and 4 for Leo. Tied totals share a place; agree before play if you want tied players to play an extra round.

Watch the rules

See the rolls and take-back rule in action. The complete written rules above are available alongside the video.

For more examples and strategy, read our complete Penny Drop rules and strategy guide.

Lost your die?

You can order a Penny Drop wooden replacement die from our shop.

Need a game for another table, or choosing a gift? Pick the Penny Drop version that suits you.