Left Right Center Rules & Online Dice Game
Left Right Center — also written LCR or LRC — is a simple, fast, luck-based dice party game. Below you will find the complete rules, what each die face means, how to win, and the popular holiday gift-exchange variant. There is also a free online turn helper to play right on this page.
How to play Left Right Center
Left Right Center needs 3 or more players, three special dice, and a stack of chips. It takes about a minute to learn and a few minutes to play.
Setup
- Sit everyone in a circle and give each player 3 chips to start.
- The center of the table is the pot — it starts empty.
- The youngest player (or anyone) goes first; play then passes to the left.
Taking a turn
On your turn, roll one die for each chip you have, up to a maximum of three dice. If you have 3 or more chips you roll all 3; with 2 chips roll 2; with 1 chip roll 1. If you have 0 chips you do not roll — but you are not out: you can still be handed chips by your neighbors and re-enter on a later turn.
What the dice faces mean
Each die has six faces: three dots and one each of L, R, and C. For every die you roll, do what its face says — one chip per non-dot face.
Dot — Keep
Three of the six faces are dots. Nothing happens; you keep that chip.
L — Pass Left
Pass one chip to the player on your left.
R — Pass Right
Pass one chip to the player on your right.
C — Center pot
Put one chip in the center pot. It stays there for the rest of the game.
How to win
Play continues around the circle until only one player has any chips left. That last player with chips wins and takes the entire center pot. Because chips passed to you put you back in the game, the lead can change right up to the final roll.
The gift / holiday variant
Left Right Center is a favorite holiday gift-exchange game. To play the gift version, swap the chips for three small wrapped gifts (or three $1 bills) per player. You roll and pass gifts left, right, or into the center pile exactly as you would with chips. When one player is the last holding gifts, they win the whole center pile. Keep the gifts small and similarly sized so they are easy to pass and roughly fair — think gift cards, ornaments, or fun stocking stuffers.
Play it now — free turn helper
No dice? No chips? Use this digital roller. It tracks every player's chips and the pot for you — just pass one screen around the circle and tap roll on each turn.
Play Left Right Center
A turn helper for one shared screen — pass the device around the circle. Enter your players and starting chips to begin.
Traditional Left Right Center uses 3 chips (or 3 wrapped gifts / dollar bills) each.
Left Right Center FAQ
Planning a gift exchange this year?
Set up a free gift exchange on GiftList — draw names, share wish lists, and keep everyone organized. No cost, no clutter.