Liar's Dice (大话骰) Set

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Liar’s dice, or dai hua tou, ‘big talk dice’, is a traditional Chinese game enjoyed while drinking. This game is so common that nearly every bar in China or Hong Kong will have a set of dice cups behind the counter for patrons to borrow; in Shanghai, it's typical for patrons to play dice with the bartender, usually a young and attractive woman, as they order drinks. Versions of this game exist in other cultures, too, and it was featured in one of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films, but my experience is limited to Chinese culture. Countless variations of the rule set exist; I have tried to codify the Hong Kong rules I learned while adding a few select rule variants that make the game more enjoyable. A rule has been included to accommodate those who learned the Shanghai rules. It seems every village in China has its unique set of rules, and established value structures surround enforcing multiple bids and treating wilds, but for teaching the game and having fun with friends over beers, I believe this rule set hits the mark. A hash table of numbers (for bidding) is included in Cantonese, Mandarin, and hand gestures, which proves surprisingly helpful in loud bars if mastered. It's essential to note that while this game is played while drinking, it's not a drinking game per se; my experience shows I drink less when playing. As with all games, there are forfeits, and the traditional forfeit is for the loser of the round to take a drink from their glass or finish it in certain circumstances. I've also played a version where the forfeit is to drink from a second, higher-octane bottle while players drink beer as usual. In some places in China, this game is played with a mix of whiskey and cold green tea; I learned to play this way. I recommend trying it if given the chance, as the whiskey imparts courage, and the green tea prevents hangovers. There's no cumulative score or designated end to the game; players cycle in and out by round, and one round tends to follow another until the beer runs out and the bar closes.