421

421 (“quatre-cent-vingt-et-un”) is played at the bar counter in France and Belgium. You need three dice and 21 tokens as a pot in the middle. To start, everyone rolls one die and the lowest begins. Play goes clockwise.

The throws

Everyone gets up to three throws and may keep dice between throws. The number of throws the first player of a round uses is the maximum for everyone.

Combination	Dice	Tokens
421	4-2-1	10
Three aces	1-1-1	7
Two aces plus X	1-1-6 to 1-1-2	6 to 2
Three of a kind	6-6-6 to 2-2-2	6 to 2
Straight	6-5-4 to 3-2-1	2
Anything else	ranked by highest die	1
Nénette	2-2-1	the worst throw of all

At equal value, two aces plus X beat three of a kind: 1-1-6 beats 6-6-6.

Phase 1: la charge

In every round the worst throw takes as many tokens from the pot as the best throw is worth. The loser of the round starts the next. When the pot is empty, the second phase begins. Anyone who collects all 21 tokens during the first phase loses on the spot.

Phase 2: la décharge

Now the best throw gives the worst as many of their own tokens as their throw is worth. Anyone with no tokens left is out and safe. Whoever ends up holding all the tokens loses the game – and traditionally buys the next round.

As a drinking game

Instead of paying for the round, the loser drinks. Also popular: one sip per token received, plus an extra sip for rolling a nénette.

Variations

• Two players: tokens move after every single throw.
• Menteur: roll under the cup and bluff, as in Mia.
• Best of three: the first to lose two games pays.

Tips

In the décharge, stopping early on a strong combination limits everyone else’s throws. Chasing a 421 is risky – often you’re left with very little.