No Dice

Edwin did.

Things were dicey for Edwin … he was a Polish immigrant who, to make ends meet during the Depression, became a travelling toy salesman. Which you can imagine was not easy … but Edwin rolled with it … and ended up starting his own game company a few years later.

One day he was approached by a Canadian couple … who had a boat … and they told Edwin about the game that they and their guests played on the boat .. and just could not get enough of … well Edwin was intrigued and ready to take a chance … when he asked them what they wanted for the rights … the couple said didn’t want money … they just wanted 1,000 gift sets for their friends and the deal was done.

Edwin started promoting it .. but it didn’t do very well .. so, he started hosting parties where people could play the game and learn the rules … and it took off. Over next 17 years Edwin sold 40 million copies before selling it to Milton Bradley.

Today, the game Edwin cleverly promoted is as popular as ever across North America ... and still honours the Canadian couple who came up with it .. while playing with their friends … on their boat … or as some Canadians might call it .. their yacht. Yahtzee

Yahtzee is a great idea … because you never know what will happen if you just roll the dice!