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To play dreidel, each person takes a turn spinning a four-sided top and follows the Hebrew letter that lands face up: nun means do nothing, gimel takes the pot, hey takes half, and shin adds one token. You need a dreidel, small tokens, and a shared pot. Here are six steps to get started, with common variations explained.
What you need
- A dreidel.
- Small tokens for the pot: coins, nuts, chocolate gelt, candies, or other small objects all work. Players do not need special currency.
- A shared space where everyone can reach the pot.
A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The Jewish Museum, New York describes the object and its letters in its Hanukkah Dreidels collection.
How to play dreidel in 6 steps
- Give each player an equal number of tokens. Sit around a shared playing area with the tokens within reach.
- Start the pot. Each player puts one token into the center.
- Choose who goes first. The simplest option is to pick a player. Another method is for everyone to spin once; the highest result goes first, and tied players spin again. Once play begins, take turns clockwise.
- Spin the dreidel. The first player spins it and waits for it to stop. Use the letter facing up to determine what happens.
- Follow the letter’s instruction. Apply the corresponding action from the table below.
- Keep taking turns clockwise. Continue spinning and acting on the result. Before starting, agree on what happens if the pot is empty or a player runs out of tokens; these details vary by rule set and house rules.
What the four dreidel letters mean
| Letter | Name | Action |
|---|---|---|
| נ | Nun | Do nothing. The next player takes a turn. |
| ג | Gimel | Take the whole pot. In Chabad’s rules, everyone then puts another token in, including the player who took the pot. |
| ה | Hey | Take half the pot. If there is an odd token left over, Chabad’s rules leave it in the pot; agree on a house rule if you use another version. |
| ש | Shin | Put one token into the pot. |
The Hebrew letters also form a phrase: nes gadol hayah sham, meaning “a great miracle happened there.” That phrase is a mnemonic; the letters’ in-game actions are separate rules. Chabad’s dreidel instructions explain both the actions and the letter variation.
Why some Israeli dreidels have a different letter
Many dreidels used outside Israel have shin (ש), while many Israeli dreidels use peh (פ) in its place. Peh changes the final word in the phrase to po, meaning “here,” so the phrase reads “a great miracle happened here.” This is a geographic variation, not a different basic way to take turns or play.
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- WOODEN DREIDELS: High Quality 1 3/4" inch Medium Natural Colored Wooden Dreidels. Let's Play Dreidel Hanukkah Game Spinning Top.
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What to know about dreidel’s origin
A popular legend says Jewish children spun tops to disguise Torah study during persecution. The American Jewish University’s 2020 Guide to Hanukkah at Home cautions that this story is “almost certainly a fable” and says the dreidel appears to be based on the European top game totum. Treat the concealment story as a legend, not established origin history.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Set of 4 High Quality 1.75" inch Natural Wooden Dreidels. Let's Play Dreidel Hanukkah Game Spinning Top
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Rank #2
- WOODEN DREIDELS: High Quality 1 3/4" inch Medium Natural Colored Wooden Dreidels. Let's Play Dreidel Hanukkah Game Spinning Top.
- COLORS: Natural Wood Medium Dreidels with Foil Embossed Hebrew Letters & English Translation. Great for all Kids Ages 3 and up.
- PARTY FAVOR: The Wooden Dreidels Party Favor adds Fun and Atmosphere to your Hanukkah party that will leave good memories to all your guests! They are wonderful gifts for Birthday Parties, Carnival Prizes, Classroom Rewards, Goodie bag Fillers, and much more!
- PACKAGE: You can Choose Between our 10-Pack, 25-Pack 50-Pack 100-Pack 200-Pack 500-Pack and 1000-Pack Detailed Dreidel Game Instructions Included.
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