How to spin a Dreidel: 6 simple steps and tips for winning quickly.

If you're curious about spinning the Dreidel , a traditional game associated with Hanukkah, then this is the simplest and easiest guide for you. Dreidel is a familiar game of chance , often played during Jewish holidays. All you need is a four-sided spinning top and a few chocolate coins (gelt), and anyone can participate and enjoy the fun.

A quick introduction to Dreidel

The Dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, each side bearing a different Hebrew letter. This game originated during the time of the Greek king Antiochus IV (around 175 BC), when Jewish worship was forbidden. Those studying the Torah at the time used the Dreidel as a way to distract soldiers, making them believe that people were simply playing and not gathering for religious purposes.

Today, Dreidel is a traditional and entertaining game, often played to see who collects the most gelts. With just a spinning top and a few items as bets, you can begin exploring this classic game.

Step 1: How to choose the right Dreidel

• When you begin learning how to spin a Dreidel, the first important thing is to choose the right one. A Dreidel has four sides, each printed with a letter characteristic of Jewish tradition.

• If you buy a Dreidel outside of Israel , you will see the four characters Nun, Gimmel, Hay, and Shin. This phrase means "A great miracle has happened there," connected to the story of the miraculous oil lamp during Hanukkah.

• If you're in Israel , the Dreidel spinning top will have the words Nun, Gimmel, Hay, and Pey. This set of words means "A great miracle has happened here," highlighting the historical event that took place in this country.

• No matter which Dreidel you choose, the gameplay and spirit of the Dreidel spinning top game remain the same. With the right spinning top, you're ready to join this iconic game.

Step 2: Prepare the players and items to spin the Dreidel.

• The Dreidel game is suitable for any group, from 2 people or more. The more friends you have, the more fun and exciting it is to spin the Dreidel.

• Each player needs the same number of tokens to start. Tokens can be any small, easy-to-count items: coins, nuts, raisins, matches, etc., depending on whether it's a family game or a group of friends.

• Many people often use gelt (chocolate coins) because it fits the Hanukkah tradition and adds a fun element to the game.

• Once everyone has their tokens and is seated around, you're ready to jump into the fun and intimate spirit of the holiday Dreidel game.

Step 3: Create a "shared fund" before spinning the Dreidel.

• Before each spin of the Dreidel, all players place a token in the center of the circle. This is called the "pot"—the common fund of the game.

• If, during the game, the pot is emptied or only one token remains, everyone must add a new token to the pot to continue.

• Creating a regular pot helps to make the Dreidel spinning top game fair, smooth, and adds excitement as players wait to see who will accumulate the most tokens.

Step 4: Rotate the Dreidel and apply the rules accordingly.

• Each player spins the Dreidel once during their turn. When the Dreidel stops, the letter facing upwards determines the action you must take. This is the core of the Dreidel spinning game.

• Meaning of each letter:

  • Shin (meaning "to put in"): You must add another token to the pot.

  • Nun (meaning "nothing"): You don't need to do anything; keep the tokens you currently have.

  • Gimmel (meaning "take it all"): You get to take all the tokens in the pot.

  • Hay (meaning "half"): You take half the tokens in the pot; if the number is odd, you get rounded up.

• If you run out of tokens, you may be eliminated from the game, or depending on the group, you may be allowed to "borrow" tokens from someone else to continue.

• Understanding the meaning of the letters will help you keep up with the pace of the game and fully enjoy the thrill of spinning the Dreidel.

Step 5: Pass the Dreidel spin to the next player.

• After you have completed the action corresponding to the letter that appears, give the Dreidel to the person sitting next to you.

• The game continues in a circular fashion, creating a seamless rhythm, and everyone has a chance to turn the tide and change the pot's dynamics.

• Passing Dreidel in the correct turn is a way to keep the game fair and maintain a fun atmosphere throughout the match.

Step 6: Continue spinning the Dreidel until someone wins.

References

1. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/dreidel/
2. https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-gyration-nation-the-weird-ancient-history-of-the-dreidel-1.5344849
3. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-origin-of-the-dreidel/
4. https://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/mdriedel.html
5. https://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/dreidl-se68rg4g

Translated by Leigh Kennedy Ly .