How to Play the Hanukkah Dreidel Game

This Hanukkah game is traditionally played after lighting the menorah. Because it is a simple game it is a great way to include young children and grandparents in the holiday festivities. Read on to learn how to play the Hannukah dreidel game.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Dreidel (traditional Hanukkah top)
• Tokens (You can use the chocolate gold coins known as "gelt", or poker chips or small candies like M&Ms or raisins.)

1. Dole out the tokens so that each player has the same amount.

2. Each player places one token in the center. This is the pot.

3. Select a player to start. This player will be the first to spin the dreidel.

4. 
   Gimel

   If the dreidel lands on "Gimel" the player takes all the tokens from the pot.

5. 
   Hay

   If the dreidel lands on "Hay" the player takes half the tokens from the pot.

6. 
   Nun

   If the dreidel lands on "Nun" the player gets nothing.

7. 
   Shin

   If the dreidel lands on "Shin" the player puts one token in the pot.

8. Now everyone puts one token in the pot again and the next player takes a turn spinning the dreidel.

9. Play continues for a set number of rounds or until one player is out of tokens. The one with the most tokens at the end of the game is the winner.

Tips & Warnings

• In a variation of the game you can use real or chocolate coins and each player gets to keep the ones they have left at the end.
• If the tokens are small enough to fit in a child's mouth, watch young children carefully to avoid choking.