Glossary

When a player in the First Refusal or Second Refusal position decides to play the called game.

Usage: "I'll accept" or "I'll play"
See also: Refuse, Rules: First Refusal

When the Hammer has a weak hand and chooses not to make a call, instead passing the hammer to the player on their left without playing a game.

Usage: "I'm barking" or "Bark!"
Strategy note: You can only bark on your first call. Use it when your hand is too weak to risk a game.

See also: Hammer, Barking Strategy

The player directly to the left of the Hammer. They have the first opportunity to accept or refuse the called game.

Important: If First Refusal refuses and Second Refusal accepts, First Refusal still has to play!

See also: Second Refusal, Rules: First Refusal

The player who has the call. The Hammer rolls their dice and makes the first call of which game to play. If both refusals are refused, the Hammer must make a second call (a completely different game) that everyone must play.

Passing the Hammer: The hammer passes to the left after each round (or when someone barks).

See also: Bark, Rules: First Call, Hammer Strategy

The dice that don't count toward making the called game. Kickers determine the winner when multiple players make the same game.

Example: In 10-2, if you roll [1,2,3,5,6], the 1+3+6=10, so your kickers are [2,5].

High vs Low: In "High" games, higher kickers win. In "Low" games, lower kickers win.
See also: Games, Strategy Assistant

When all remaining players have exactly 2 pencils. Some groups reset pencils to zero and add additional money to the pot at parity.

House rules vary: Check with your group about parity rules before playing.
See also: Rules: Ante Variations

A marker indicating a lost round. Each player starts with 0 pencils. Lose a round, take a pencil. Get 3 pencils and you're out of the game.

Common substitutes: Sugar packets, coins, poker chips, or actual pencils

See also: Parity, Rules: Object of the Game

The initial roll to determine who gets the Hammer first. Each player rolls one die. Highest roll wins (ties roll again).

See also: Rules: Who Goes First

When a player in the First Refusal or Second Refusal position decides NOT to play the called game, passing the decision to the next player.

Usage: "No" or "I refuse"
Warning: If you're First Refusal and refuse, you may still have to play if Second Refusal accepts!

See also: Accept, Refusal Strategy

If both First and Second Refusal refuse the first call, the Hammer must call a completely different game. No refusals are allowed - everyone must play.

Important: Second call must be a different game, not just a different variant (e.g., can't call "Monterey High" if first call was "Monterey Low").

See also: Rules: Second Call, Second Call Predictor Tool

The player two seats to the left of the Hammer (one seat left of First Refusal). They can accept or refuse only if First Refusal refused.

Key decision: Accepting means you play against First Refusal. Refusing forces the Hammer's Second Call where everyone plays.

See also: Rules: Second Refusal

When multiple players have the same kickers after playing a game. The goal is to find ONE loser per round.

With 3+ players: Tied players (for lowest score) replay the same game until there's a single loser.

With 2 players: Ties result in the Hammer passing to the other player. No pencil is awarded.

See also: Rules: Playing the Game

Most games have "High" and "Low" variants that determine whether higher or lower kickers win.

High: Higher kickers win (e.g., [6,6] beats [5,5])
Low: Lower kickers win (e.g., [1,1] beats [2,2])

Important: Always specify which variant you're calling!
See also: Games List

Slang name for 10-3, named after Frank Richardson from SLO Country Club who famously struggled to roll it.

Usage: "I'll call Frankie Low"