Bidou
A bluffing dice game with concealed rolls and poker-like wagering.
Bidou is a dice game scored according to the combination of three rolled dice, with gameplay involving concealed rolls, wagering, and bluffing similar to poker. Its origins are unknown, but it has been described as a European game and traced to coastal cities of South America. The game is closely related to Montevideo, a variation in which the losing player receives the pot.
- Type
- dice game
- Related game
- Montevideo
- Number of players
- 2 or more
- Equipment
- three dice per player, throwing cup, chips
- Highest throw
- 2-1-1 (called 'bidou')
- Special combinations
- 22 in standard set
- Probability of special combinations
- 66/216 (30.56%)
Lore & Background
The origins of Bidou are unknown. In 1934, George Gaylord Simpson wrote that it appeared to have been invented in the early 20th century, bearing superficial resemblances to poker, but was unknown in the United States. Jack Botermans calls it a European game, while earlier sources from the mid-20th century trace it to the coastal cities of South America (Argentina, Peru, or Punta Arenas, Chile). In a biography of John F. Kennedy, Geoffrey Perret claims that JFK learned to play bidou in 1941 while sailing to Rio de Janeiro aboard the SS Argentina with mostly South American passengers.
Gameplay involves each player rolling three dice and concealing the result under a cup. Players may re-roll up to three times total, and may keep some dice while re-rolling others. The captain of the round is determined by the highest total of the three dice, and the captain makes the first bet or passes. Betting involves a common pot, with options to pass, bet, call, raise, or drop out. The winning player receives the pot in the standard game, while in Montevideo the losing player receives the pot.
Reader's Guide
Bidou is significant as a historical dice game that combines elements of chance, strategy, and bluffing, similar to poker. Its scoring system includes 22 special combinations, with the highest being a pair of ones with a two (2-1-1), called 'bidou'. The game's rules for betting and bluffing create a dynamic social interaction, and its variations, such as Montevideo and the 'poor fish' variant, offer different objectives. The game's uncertain origins—whether European or South American—add to its historical interest. The simplified set of 12 special combinations reduces the probability of rolling a special combination to 16.67%, making the game more reliant on bluffing. Bidou's legacy lies in its unique blend of dice rolling and poker-style wagering, and its mention in connection with John F. Kennedy highlights its cultural reach.
Did You Know?
- The highest-ranked throw is a pair of ones with a two (2-1-1), which is called 'bidou' and gives the game its name.
- The overall probability of rolling one of the 22 special combinations is 66/216 or 30.56%.
- In the standard game, the winning player receives the pot, so the objective is to be the last player with chips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bidou?
Bidou is a bluffing dice game for two or more players in which each participant rolls three dice privately and then competes through poker-style wagering to win a shared pot.
How does a round of Bidou work?
Each player secretly shakes three dice in a throwing cup, then players take turns betting with chips while trying to outbluff one another. The player holding the strongest combination of their three dice claims the pot at the end of the betting round.
What is the top combination in Bidou?
The highest possible throw is a 2-1-1, which is itself called "bidou" after the game's name. A roll of 2-2 is also treated as a special combination in the standard set.
How does Bidou differ from Montevideo?
Montevideo is a closely related variation of Bidou, but the key distinction is that in Montevideo the player who loses the hand ends up taking the pot rather than the winner collecting it.
Where did Bidou originate?
The exact origins of Bidou remain unclear, though it has been described as a European game and also linked to coastal cities in South America.
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