Tavern Game: Liar's Dice

Liar's Dice is a game invented and developed from throughout the Far Reaches. First created by nobles to practice bluffing, it was quickly taken up by pirate lords to handle matters of great importance, and even more vital, matters of great fun. From sailors and pirates, it spread and has found modern popularity among halflings, quickly disseminating from their homeland of Rollich to the mainland and beyond.

Rules

1. Each gambler involved in the game rolls initiative, adding their standard initiative bonus.
2. In order of initiative, each gambler places their buy-in, whether it be gold, material, or service. While each price may differ, all gamblers must accept the terms before the die is cast.
3. Next, each gambler rolls 5d6 and keeps the resulting die faces hidden.
4. After, the first gambler in initiative will bet how many of a specific die face are showing between all participants. For example, Player One may bet there are 2 dice with a 3 displayed between all gamblers (i.e. “Two Threes”).
5. The next gambler in initiative may select one of the following options:

• Reveal: The acting gambler may attempt to call the previous gambler’s bluff, revealing all dice. If the standing bet was incorrect, that gambler loses, is labeled a “liar”, and removed from the table. Alternatively, if the last bet was correct, the accusing gambler is removed instead.
• Count: The acting gambler can choose to increase the quantity of dice showing the specific face. For example, if the previous gambler bet “Two Threes”, the bet would increase to “Three Threes”, and the turn would pass to the next gambler in initiative.
• Face: The acting gambler can choose to increase the number they believe is depicted on the rolled dice. For example, if the previous gambler bet “Two Threes”, the bet would ‘up’ to “Two Fours”, and the turn would pass to the next gambler in initiative.

If no gamblers were eliminated from the table, repeat step 5 until a gambler is eliminated. Otherwise, reroll the dice and proceed from step 3 until only one gambler remains. The last liar standing wins all bets.

Player Bonuses

Having proficiency or Expertise in Liar's Dice gives players certain edges over other characters.
Proficiency bonus: Once per die roll, you may choose to attempt a Sleight of Hand (Dexterity) check. On a success, you may secretly change any one die you have rolled to any face.
Expertise bonus: During step 3, you instead only roll 4 dice, selecting what face the fifth die lands on.

Variants:

There are several variants to Liars dice:

Long game:

In this variant, gamblers who have been outed as a liar subtract one die from their total instead of total elimination. Then, the winner is decided when only one gambler still has dice remaining.

Ones Are Wild:

In this variant, any die that displays one on its face may be considered any other face instead for all players.