At the same time that we’re trying to get ahead in the Upper Section, you will be filling in the Lower Section on an opportunistic basis. If you stumble into a Large Straight or a Yahtzee, you should always use it as such in the score card. It is the same for final rolls that result in a Small Straight or Full House.

When it comes to the 3 of a kind and 4 of a kind, there is a special relationship between them as there is between the Small Straight and the Large Straight. The primary reason for not filling in the 3 of a kind and Small Straight boxes too early is their frequency of occurrence. Since they are common hands, there is no great rush to complete them. However, there is a more subtle reason for keeping them open. Remember that their counterparts, the 4 of a kind and the Large Straight are among the most difficult hands to obtain. By taking advantage of the relationship between these hands, you can increase your chances of completing the more difficult combinations.

When you look at the straights, you need to remember that as long as the Small Straight is unfilled, you have great flexibility in going for the Large Straight. Usually, when trying for the Large Straight, you’ll hold a Small Straight during the play of a hand. Now, if the Large Straight doesn’t come in, the option to fill the Small Straight works as a good fall back. However, once you’ve filled the Small Straight box, the quest for the Large Straight becomes more problematic. With the Small Straight filled, you’re in a bind if you go for the Large Straight and fail.

The lesson to be learned is not to jump at the chance to fill in a 3 of a kind, or Small Straight. Flexibility in Yahtzee is extremely important. If you can keep these boxes open until their counterparts are filled, you will maintain maximum flexibility.