Hanukkah 2026
How to Play Dreidel
Updated 24 October 20264 min read
Quick answer
Everyone puts one coin or candy into the pot, then takes turns spinning. Nun means nothing happens, gimel means take the whole pot, hey means take half, and shin means put one in. When the pot empties, everyone adds one again. The game ends when one player has everything.
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What you need
A dreidel, two or more players, and something to play for: chocolate gelt, coins, nuts, or candy. Give each player the same number of pieces, often 10 to 15.
The rules
Each player puts one piece into the pot. Players take turns spinning the dreidel and do what the letter facing up says. Whenever the pot is empty (or down to one piece), everyone adds one. If you run out of pieces, you're out. The last player with pieces wins.
- Nun: nothing happens
- Gimel: take the whole pot
- Hey: take half the pot (round up if it's odd)
- Shin: put one piece in
What the letters mean
The four Hebrew letters stand for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham," meaning "a great miracle happened there," recalling the Hanukkah story. Dreidels made in Israel replace shin with pey, for "Nes Gadol Haya Po": "a great miracle happened here." When playing, pey works the same as shin.
Choosing a good dreidel
For playing, small wooden or plastic dreidels spin best and survive drops. For gifts and display, there are glass, ceramic, silver, and artist-made dreidels. Bulk packs are useful for classrooms, parties, and goodie bags, and gelt-and-dreidel sets make an easy night-two gift.
Where to buy dreidels online
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Judaica Web Store
One cart for every holiday
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Judaica.city
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Custom kippahs and simcha sets are the headline, not an afterthought category.
Ahuva
Shul supplies committees actually reorder
Torah mantles, readers, and candles sit beside holiday essentials many gift shops skip.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What do the letters on a dreidel mean?
Nun, gimel, hey, and shin stand for "Nes Gadol Haya Sham": a great miracle happened there. In the game, nun = nothing, gimel = take all, hey = take half, shin = put one in.
What is the difference between shin and pey on a dreidel?
Dreidels made in Israel use pey, for "a great miracle happened here." Outside Israel it's shin, for "there." Both play the same way.
How do you win at dreidel?
The game ends when one player has collected all the pieces. Many families just play for a set time and count gelt at the end.
What do you play dreidel with?
Chocolate gelt is traditional, but coins, nuts, candy, or raisins all work. Give everyone the same number of pieces to start.
Where can I buy dreidels online?
Judaica Web Store and Ahuva both carry hundreds of dreidels, from bulk play sets to collectible art pieces. The links below open their dreidel sections.