Dice gift exchange game
Roll, swap, pass — until the timer runs out.
Add at least two names.
What each number means
One common set of rules — change any line to suit your group.
The rules
- Everyone puts one wrapped gift in front of them and sits round the table in the order shown.
- Take turns to roll the die and do what the number says:
- 1 — Swap gifts with the player on your left
- 2 — Swap gifts with the player on your right
- 3 — Swap gifts with anyone you choose
- 4 — Everyone passes their gift one place to the left
- 5 — Everyone passes their gift one place to the right
- 6 — Unwrap a gift of your choice — it stays in play
- When the 10-minute timer runs out, the game is over: everyone keeps the gift in front of them.
Nothing leaves your device
This tool runs entirely in your browser. What you type, play or record here stays on your device: nothing is uploaded or saved on a server.
How it works
- Type the players’ names in the order you sit round the table, or shuffle them to decide who starts.
- Choose the game time — ten minutes is usual — and check the rule for each number; change any you play differently, and print the rules to read out.
- Start the game. Each player in turn presses Roll and does what the number says, then Next passes the die on. When the timer runs out, everyone keeps the gift in front of them.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you play the dice gift exchange game?
- Everyone puts a wrapped gift in front of them. Players take turns to roll one die, and the number decides what happens: swap with a neighbour, swap with anyone, pass every gift left or right, or unwrap one. When the time is up, you keep the gift in front of you.
- What do the numbers mean in the left right game?
- Here 1 swaps with the player on your left, 2 with the player on your right, 3 with anyone you choose, 4 passes every gift one place left, 5 one place right, and 6 unwraps a gift of your choice. That is one common set of rules; every line can be changed on the page.
- How long should the game last?
- Ten to fifteen minutes suits most groups of six to twelve. The countdown starts with the first roll and can be paused; choose no timer to stop whenever you like.
- Is there a version where you steal gifts?
- Yes: the white elephant generator runs the open-or-steal game, with a steal limit, a final turn for player 1 and undo.
- Is the die fair, and is anything sent to a server?
- The die uses your browser’s cryptographic random numbers, so every number from 1 to 6 is equally likely. The names, your rules and the game stay in your browser on this device; nothing is uploaded.