How To Play: Bears!

Overview

If you’re tired of losing to your little cousin at Bears!, you’re in the right place. My friends and I have rolled, grabbed, and yelled our way through this game more times than I can count (mainly because I was too busy grabbing dice). This How To Play bears! guide will outline the rules and spill my favorite tactics for winning, even against sneaky bear-huggers.

What’s in the box

• 20 Black Bear Dice
• 20 White Camp Dice
• 4 Scoring Reminder Cards
• 1 Score Pad
• 1 Pencil
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Bears!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Give each player a set of 5 colored dice. If you don’t know what color you are, just pick the one you think looks lucky.
2. Place all the white camp dice in the middle – these represent tents and bears, not marshmallows and hotdogs.
3. Decide who goes first. If you can’t agree, the person who last saw an actual bear gets to start. Or just pick randomly.

Gameplay

1. Every player rolls their 5 dice at the same time. So does someone with the camp dice – just dump them all in the middle.
2. When that happens, everyone scrambles to match their dice with the camp dice. You pair pistols with bears, runners with tents, and sleepers with tents. Don’t mix them up, unless you want your campers to lose.
3. This all happens in real time, so move fast! There aren’t turns – just lots of frantic dice grabbing. My friend once knocked his juice over trying to snag a bear.

Winning

1. Once all the dice are grabbed or the timer (if you use one) runs out, everyone scores points based on their combos.
2. You repeat this process for a set number of rounds – usually as many as there are players. But really, you can play until one of you starts growling like a bear.
3. At the end, the player with the highest score wins! Bragging rights included.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If there are more bears than tents left in the middle after grabbing, all the campers that are in tents get eaten. (Trust me, this rule always brings chaos and shouting at the table.)
2. Pistols can only be used against bears. I tried to pistol a tent once – it just confused everyone.
3. If you pair a runner with a tent, that’s safe. Sleepers with tents? Only safe if there aren’t more bears than tents left. Watch out!

By following these steps, you’ll be shouting, laughing, and maybe even roaring in no time. That’s How To Play bears! with friends who don’t mind a little friendly chaos.

Best Bears! Strategies

Mastering Timing and Dice Selection in Bears!

Don’t Rush—But Don’t Wait, Either

I’ve watched friends panic and just grab whatever dice are near them. Don’t be like my friend Bob, who once grabbed three tents and left the bears to chase him for the rest of the game. Calm down! Quick hands matter, but so does your brain. Think, then snatch!

Pick Your Battles

Sometimes, you want that juicy campfire die, but so does everyone else. Be bold! Make your move when you know you’ll win the race, not when you’re stuck in indecision.

1. Scan the dice before anyone else announces they’re ready. Fast eyes, fast wins.
2. Prioritize the dice that complete your set (tents, campers, bears, etc), not just what looks cool.
3. If you see someone always grabbing the same dice, block them! Annoy them, too. This is Bears!, not Best Friends!

How To Play bears! Like a Pro

Timing isn’t only about speed; it’s about reading the table and knowing when to pounce. The calmest bear wins!

Winning Big in Bears!: Risk vs. Reward

Bold Choices Pay Off

When I play Bears! with friends, I face tough calls every round. Should I grab that tent and risk a bear attack, or play safe for fewer points?

1. Snatch tents only if you see enough guns left.
2. Take risks if you’re trailing in points — big moves can close gaps fast.

Pacing Matters

Early in the game, I often play it safe. Later, I throw caution to the wind and chase higher rewards, since losses hurt less.

1. Save bold moves for later rounds.
2. Read opponents—if they play safe, you might push your luck.

Read the Dice Table!

Sometimes, counting the remaining dice reveals easy points. So, always check your chances before risking it all. That’s how to play Bears! for the win.

1. Watch the bears-to-guns ratio.
2. Act fast if the odds are in your favor.

Boost Your Score: Unlocking Bears! Points Like a Pro

Spot High-Value Combos

Pay close attention to dice layouts. Sometimes, you can snag bigger points by grabbing a tent and a bear instead of just running wild. Look for these combos every round.

1. Match tents to bears for extra points.
2. Watch campers—group them for bonus rounds.

Seize The Right Moment

Timing is everything in Bears! Wait for the perfect combo, but grab fast before your friends steal your picks.

1. Wait for clusters of high-value dice.
2. Snatch before others see your plan.

Count Every Point

Never leave low-hanging fruit! Add up all possible points and play with purpose every turn. I once lost a round by missing a single point. It stings.

1. Review possible dice matches quickly.
2. Don’t let distractions cost you a win.

Learning How To Play bears! well means always looking out for these sneaky scoring chances. That’s how you’ll end up the king—or queen—of the campsite!

Ready to Roar: Final Thoughts

If you want to conquer Bears!, keep your eyes sharp and your hands faster. Seriously, my friend Dave once tried to snag a die with his nose. Not a winning move. Master the rules, watch for patterns, and always remember the golden rule of “How To Play bears!”: never trust someone who says, “I’m not going for the tents.”

Whether you win bragging rights or just laugh at your own bad luck, this game knows how to serve up fun. Go get ’em, champ—and may your dice always roll wild (but not too wild).

Want to know what we think of Bears!? Read our detailed review of Bears! here