The UNO Dice Game Roll & Write turns the familiar colour-and-number matching of UNO into a quick pen-and-paper dice game. Instead of holding a hand of cards, every player rolls the same set of dice, links them into a chain, and fills in the spaces on their own dry-erase board. Released by Mattel in 2019, a single game takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes and works well for families, classrooms and casual game nights across New Zealand. This guide covers what comes in the box, how to set up, how a turn and the dice chain work, what the penalty and star (wild) dice do, how to win, and how this edition differs from the older classic UNO Dice game.
Key Points
- The UNO Dice Game Roll & Write is a 2019 Mattel dice game for 2–4 players, ages 7 and up.
- Each player fills a dry-erase board by rolling six dice and linking them into a chain.
- Dice connect by matching colour or number, just like playing cards in UNO.
- Two star dice together act as a wild; +1 and -1 dice let you disrupt opponents.
- There are no Skip, Reverse or “UNO” call rules here — those belong to the older classic UNO Dice game.
- The first player to fill every space on their board wins.
What Is the UNO Dice Game Roll & Write?
“Roll and write” is a popular board-game style in which players roll dice and then record the results by writing on a personal sheet or board. The UNO Dice Game Roll & Write applies that idea to UNO: you roll dice printed with the four UNO colours (red, yellow, green and blue), numbers and a star symbol, then note them on your board by connecting them the same way you would play cards in a hand — by matching colour or number. It is a standalone game, so you do not need a deck of UNO cards to play it. If you are new to the brand, our beginner’s guide to the official UNO rules explains the colour-and-number matching this edition is built on.
The goal is simple: be the first player to fill in every space on your board. Because everyone plays on their own board, there is very little waiting between turns, and the game leans more on luck and quick decisions than on deep strategy.
What’s in the Box
The set is compact and contains everything up to four players need:
- Six dice — printed with UNO colours, numbers and special symbols (a star, a +1 and a -1).
- Four dry-erase boards — one grid of spaces per player.
- Four dry-erase markers — so boards can be wiped clean and reused.
Because the boards are dry-erase, the game is reusable and travel-friendly. Note that the symbols are printed rather than engraved, so they can fade with heavy use over time.
Quick Facts
| Game | UNO Dice Game (Roll & Write) |
| Publisher | Mattel |
| Released | 2019 |
| Players | 2–4 |
| Age | 7+ |
| Play time | About 10–15 minutes |
| Contents | 6 dice, 4 dry-erase boards, 4 markers |
| Game type | Roll-and-write dice game |
How to Set Up the Game
Setup takes less than a minute:
- Give each player one board and one marker.
- Each player rolls a single die until it shows a number (not a symbol), then writes that number in the first space on their board. This is your starting number.
- Choose who goes first — the rules suggest the youngest player, but any fair method works. Play then passes around the table.
How a Turn Works: Building Your Dice Chain
The heart of the game is the dice chain. On your turn:
- Roll all six dice.
- Start your chain. The first die in the chain must match the last number written on your board.
- Extend the chain. Each additional die must match the die before it by either colour or number — exactly the matching logic of the UNO card game.
- Re-roll once (optional). If you are not happy with your dice, you may re-roll any unused dice a single time, then rearrange your chain.
- Write your results. Copy each die in your finished chain into the next consecutive spaces on your board.
The longer the chain you can build, the more spaces you fill in one turn, so arranging your dice to squeeze out one more match is the main skill in the game.
Penalty Dice and the Star (Wild)
Three special faces change how a turn plays out:
- -1 die: lets you choose another player who must erase their last written number. You cannot target a player who only has their single starting number.
- +1 die: lets you choose another player who must add an extra space to their board, giving them more to fill before they can win.
- Star (wild): a star acts as a wild that can connect to any colour or number, but you need two star dice together to use them in your chain. A pair of stars can even begin a chain, and each star is recorded on your board as a star symbol.
Unlike the UNO card game, this edition has no Skip, Reverse or Draw cards — the +1 and -1 dice are the only way to slow an opponent down. You can compare this with the card versions in our overview of UNO gameplay variations.
Ending Your Turn: Call Out the Last Die
After you finish writing, announce the colour and number of the final die in your chain. Any opponent whose own last written die matches that colour or number may also add it to their board. Then pass the dice to the next player. This shared bonus keeps everyone paying attention even when it is not their turn.
How to Win
The first player to fill in every space on their board — including any extra spaces added by +1 dice — wins immediately. There is no running points total to tally, so games end cleanly the moment someone completes their grid. If you enjoy keeping score in the traditional card game, see how that works in our guide to UNO scoring.
Roll & Write vs. the Classic UNO Dice Game
Mattel has released more than one dice-based UNO game, and they play very differently. The Roll & Write (2019) uses boards and markers, while the older classic UNO Dice game (first released in the 1980s and reissued in the 1990s and 2010s) is played by rolling and getting rid of your own set of dice. If you are looking for the classic version’s rules, read our dedicated guide to the classic UNO Dice game.
| Feature | UNO Dice Game Roll & Write (2019) | Classic UNO Dice Game |
|---|---|---|
| Dice | Six shared dice rolled on your turn | Up to 11 dice; each player takes their own set |
| What you track | Fill spaces on a dry-erase board | Get rid of your own dice |
| Matching | Chain dice by colour or number | Match colour or number to a shared dice line |
| Wild | Two star dice together act as a wild | Wild symbol on a single die |
| Action dice | Only +1 and -1 penalty dice | Skip, Reverse and Draw dice (varies by edition) |
| “UNO” call | Not used | Call “UNO” when you have one die left |
| Winning | First to fill the whole board | First to shed all dice / reach the target score |
Tips and Common Mistakes
A few habits will help new players get the most out of the game:
- Arrange before you write. Lay your dice out and test different orders — a small rearrangement often adds one or two more matches to your chain.
- Save your re-roll for when it counts. You only get one re-roll per turn, so use it when a single die is blocking a much longer chain.
- Use -1 dice tactically. Target the player closest to finishing rather than automatically hitting the leader out of habit.
- Remember the star pair rule. A lone star does nothing on its own; you must roll two to use them as a wild.
- Listen on other turns. When another player calls out their last die, check whether you can add it to your own board.
Where to Find It in New Zealand
The UNO Dice Game Roll & Write is a mass-market Mattel product, so it turns up at toy shops, department stores and online retailers that stock family games in New Zealand. If you are planning a games evening, you might also browse our roundup of the best board games in New Zealand for more ideas. Always check the box lists six dice, four boards and four markers so you know the set is complete before you buy.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the UNO Dice Game the same as the UNO card game?
No. It is a standalone dice game inspired by UNO. You roll dice and fill in a board instead of playing cards from a hand, although the colour-and-number matching idea is the same. You do not need a deck of UNO cards to play it.
How many dice come with the Roll & Write version?
Six dice, along with four dry-erase boards and four markers, which is enough for two to four players.
How does the star (wild) die work?
A star acts as a wild that can connect to any colour or number, but you must roll two star dice to use them in your chain. A single star cannot be used as a wild on its own.
Do you shout “UNO” in the Roll & Write version?
No. The “UNO” call, along with Skip, Reverse and Draw actions, belongs to the older classic UNO Dice game. The Roll & Write edition uses only the +1 and -1 penalty dice.
How many players can play and how long does a game take?
The game is designed for two to four players aged seven and up, and a typical game lasts about 10 to 15 minutes.
