Dice Games 🇺🇸United States19th century

Ship, Captain, and Crew

TRADITIONAL AMERICAN DICE GAME (also played in British + US navies) using 5 dice. Player rolls up to 3 TIMES to obtain SHIP (6), CAPTAIN (5), CREW (4) IN THAT ORDER, then remaining 2 dice sum = CARGO. Signature: STRICT ORDER — must roll 6 first, keep it, then 5, keep it, then 4, keep it. Highest cargo after 6-5-4 wins. Popular DRINKING GAME + NAVAL TRADITION; often played for penny pot or drinks. Simple + fast; suitable for many players.

⏱~3 min🌤indoor

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Roll SHIP (6), CAPTAIN (5), CREW (4) in sequence within 3 rolls + maximize CARGO from remaining 2 dice.

Rules

Basic rules

Player rolls ALL 5 DICE up to 3 TIMES total
Signature 3-roll limit.
MUST roll a 6 (SHIP) FIRST, then 5 (CAPTAIN), then 4 (CREW) — in strict order
Signature 6-5-4 order requirement.
Once a required die is rolled, SET IT ASIDE + continue rolling remaining dice
Signature set-aside rule.
If you don't get 6-5-4 in 3 rolls = SCORE ZERO for turn
Signature bust penalty.
After 6-5-4 obtained, remaining 2 DICE = CARGO score (max 12)
Signature cargo scoring.
HIGHEST CARGO WINS round (or highest across N rounds)
Signature highest wins.
TIE: tied players re-roll
Signature tie-break.

Scoring

Cargo = sum of 2 remaining dice after 6-5-4 set. Zero if bust.

Action	Points
6-5-4 not obtained in 3 rolls	0
Cargo score	Sum of remaining 2 dice (2-12)

Win condition · Highest cargo wins each round; often multi-round with running total or coin pot.

Equipment

5 six-sided dice
Signature 5 dice
Cup or shaker (optional for rolling)
Optional cup
Score sheet or coin pot
Signature scoring

Terminology

Ship: The 6 die — first required.
Captain: The 5 die — second required.
Crew: The 4 die — third required.
Cargo: Sum of remaining 2 dice after 6-5-4 obtained.
Bust: Failing to get 6-5-4 in 3 rolls = 0 score.

Where it is played

Sources & provenance

Wikipedia — Ship, Captain, and Crew— Wikipedia

Last verified 2026-08-28.verified