How to Play Dreidel

The dreidel, the small top that's among the most recognizable symbols of the Hanukkah season, is a fun game of chance to play with friends and family.

Instructions

Step 1: Divide the tokens Divide the candies, coins, or other betting tokens evenly among the players.
TIP: Dole out a minimum of ten tokens per person.
Step 2: Ante up Each player antes up one token to begin.
Step 3: Spin the dreidel The players take turns spinning the dreidel, which has four sides, each marked with a Hebrew letter.
Step 4: Do nothing If the dreidel lands on "nun," which stands for the Yiddish word nisht, or "nothing," do nothing.
Step 5: Take everything If the dreidel lands on "gimmel," which stands for the Yiddish word gantz, or "everything," you've hit the jackpot. Take all the tokens.
Step 6: Take half If the dreidel lands on "hey," which stands for the Yiddish word halb, or "half," you win half the pot.
TIP: If there are an odd number of tokens in the pot, the player rounds up one.
Step 7: Put one in If the dreidel lands on "shin," which stands for the Yiddish word shtel, or "put in," you have to put one of your tokens into the pot.
Step 8: Fill the pot Whenever the pot is emptied—or gets down to one token—everyone adds a token.
Step 9: Ante up again After every player has had a spin, everyone puts in another token and begin another round of spinning.
Step 10: Sit out A player is out when he or she runs out of tokens.
FACT: A version of the dreidel game has been played in various countries and cultures for at least 500 years.