Overview

Can’t Stop Express is a roll-and-write dice game for any number of players, designed by Sid Sackson. All players simultaneously use the same dice roll to form two pairs and select a fifth die. Over approximately 24-25 rounds, players fill in boxes on a score pad, trying to fill exactly 0 or 5+ boxes per pair value to avoid the -200 point penalty for incomplete rows. The player with the highest score wins.

Components

• 5 dice
• Score pad (1 sheet per player)
• Pencils

Setup

1. Each player takes one sheet from the score pad and a pencil.
2. Choose one player to be the dice roller (or rotate each round).

Turn Structure

Each round proceeds simultaneously for all players:

1. Roll Dice

One player rolls all 5 dice. No one may touch or move the dice after they are thrown.

2. Choose Pairs and Fifth Die

All players simultaneously and silently decide:

• Which four of the five dice form two pairs (each pair is summed for a value of 2-12).
• Which die is the fifth die (the remaining die).

Players have roughly 30-40 seconds to make their decisions. Players may not discuss their choices.

3. Record Results

Each player marks one box in the row matching each pair sum, and one box for their fifth die value.

Special: Fifth Die Selection

• During the first three turns, each player must select a unique fifth die number and mark it in the three leftmost boxes of the fifth die chart. These establish the player’s three fifth die numbers for the rest of the game.
• From turn 4 onward, the player must use one of their three established fifth die numbers whenever any of them appear among the five rolled dice.
• If none of the player’s three fifth die numbers appear in a roll, it is a free throw – the fifth die is not required that round.

Actions

Forming Pairs

The four dice used for pairs can be combined in any way to form two pairs. Each pair sum corresponds to a row on the score pad (values 2-12).

Marking Boxes

For each pair sum, mark one box in the corresponding row on the score pad. For the fifth die, mark one box in the fifth die chart.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Row Scoring

At game end, each pair-sum row is scored based on how many boxes have been filled:

Boxes Filled	Score
0 boxes	0 points
1-4 boxes	-200 points
5 boxes	0 points
6+ boxes	Points per Column A value for each box after the 5th

The Column A values increase for the more common pair sums (6, 7, 8) compared to rare sums (2, 12).

Game End

The game ends when any player completes 8 boxes for one of their fifth die values. Other players continue rolling until they also complete 8 boxes for one of their fifth die values.

Winning

The player with the highest total score wins. Experienced and fortunate players can expect 800 or more points.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• All players use the same dice roll each round – no individual rolling.
• Players may not discuss their pair/fifth die choices before recording them.
• The fifth die numbers are locked in during the first three turns and cannot be changed.
• Free throws (no matching fifth die number available) are rare and can only occur from turn 4 onward.
• Rows with 1-4 filled boxes score -200 points, making it risky to start a row you cannot complete.
• The score pad determines the exact point values in Column A for 6+ boxes.

Player Reference

Turn Sequence: Roll 5 dice → All players choose 2 pairs + fifth die → Mark score pad

Scoring Summary:

• 0 boxes in a row = 0 points
• 1-4 boxes = -200 points (penalty)
• 5 boxes = 0 points (break even)
• 6+ boxes = Positive points per box beyond 5th

Game End: Any player fills 8 boxes for one fifth die value.