Glückshaus
A dice game with a numbered board and staking rules.
Glückshaus, meaning "House of Fortune," is a multiplayer gambling dice game. Players take turns rolling two dice on a board marked with fields numbered 2 through 12 (the number 4 is often omitted). The game’s name was introduced in the 1960s by Erwin Glonnegger, who also designed the modern board by combining older dice games with a staking board from a card game.
The board is laid out like the rooms of a house. When a player rolls a 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 11, they place a coin on that room if it is empty, or take the coin if it is already occupied. Rolling snake eyes (a double 1) is called a "Lucky Pig" and lets the player collect all coins on the board, except for those in room seven. Rolling a 12 makes the player the "king" (König), who wins every coin on the board. A roll of 7 means a "wedding" (Hochzeit) is taking place in that room, and the player must add a coin there as a dowry, building a jackpot that is only claimed when a 12 is rolled. If the board lacks a 4, rolling a 4 either does nothing or triggers a rule agreed upon before the game starts—such as giving a coin to the board owner. Play ends when one player has taken all the coins.
- Field
- Board game design
- Known for
- Creating the modern design of Glückshaus
Lore & Background
Glückshaus is played on a board divided into fields numbered from 2 to 12, with 4 often left out, arranged in the form of the rooms of a house. Each player rolls two dice. On a roll of 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 or 11, the player places a coin on the board if that room is empty, or takes the coin if it is occupied. If the player rolls snake eyes, he has rolled a 'Lucky Pig' and collects all the coins on the board, except for what lies in room seven. If the player rolls a 12, he is 'king' (König) and wins all the coins on the board. If the player rolls a 7, there is a 'wedding' (Hochzeit) going on in the room, and one has to put a coin on there no matter what (a dowry), building up a jackpot until the 'king' (12) is rolled. If playing on a board without a 4, either nothing happens on rolling a 4, or a rule defined before starting the game comes into play (for example a coin is given to the board owner). The game ends when one player has won all the coins.
Reader's Guide
Glückshaus represents a modern synthesis of older dice games and card game staking mechanics, formalized by Erwin Glonnegger in the 1960s. Its significance lies in its clear, thematic rules that create a simple yet engaging gambling experience for multiple players. The board's house-shaped layout and special outcomes—such as the 'Lucky Pig' on snake eyes, the 'king' on a 12, and the 'wedding' jackpot on a 7—add narrative flavor to the dice rolls. The optional omission of the number 4 and the variable rule for that roll show the game's adaptability. As a reference in historical compendiums, Glückshaus illustrates how traditional gaming elements can be recombined into a distinct modern design, influencing subsequent dice and staking games. Its legacy is preserved through hobbyist communities and references such as the BoardGameGeek article.
Did You Know?
- The name Glückshaus was coined in the 1960s by Erwin Glonnegger.
- Glonnegger created the modern board design by merging older dice games with a staking board for a card game.
- On a roll of 7, a 'wedding' occurs and a coin must be placed as a dowry, building a jackpot until a 12 is rolled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Glückshaus and what does the name mean?
Glückshaus is a multiplayer dice-gambling game whose German title translates to 'House of Fortune.' The playing surface is arranged to look like the rooms of a house, and players stake coins on numbered fields while taking turns rolling two dice.
Who created the modern version of Glückshaus?
Erwin Glonnegger coined the name and designed the modern board in the 1960s. He merged mechanics from older dice games with a staking layout borrowed from a card game to produce the version players recognize today.
How does a normal turn work in Glückshaus?
You roll two dice and check the total; if it lands on 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, or 11 you either drop a coin onto that empty field or claim the coin already sitting there. The board fields run from 2 to 12, though the 4-space is frequently left out entirely.
What is special about rolling snake eyes in Glückshaus?
A double one is treated as a distinct event separate from the standard staking mechanic, triggering its own dedicated rule that can dramatically shift the coin distribution on the board. It is the one roll that breaks the simple 'place or take' pattern of every other total.
Why is Glückshaus notable in board-game history?
It is a rare case of a gambling dice pastime that received a formal redesign and branding in the 1960s rather than surviving only as an uncredited folk game. Blending a card-game staking layout with traditional dice-rolling gives it a unique niche among tabletop gambling titles.
More in History of board games 1-21
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