How do you get a dreidel?

Answer 1

First a description of a dreidel :

• A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top used in a child's gambling game.
• Each side of the dreidel bears a letter of the Hebrew alphabet: ×? (Nun), ×’(Gimel), ×” (Hei), ש (Shin)
• Nun stands for nite("nothing"), Hei stands for halb ("half"), Gimel for gants ("all"), and Shin for shteln ("put") except in Israel where the fourth side of most dreidels are inscribed with the letter פ (Pei)

Assuming that you know you spin the dreidel and spinner puts in or takes out corners or candy based on the side that is up

a) If nun is facing up, the player does nothing.

b) If gimmel is facing up, the player gets everything in the pot.

c) If hey is facing up, the player gets half of the pieces in the pot. (If there is an odd number, they get half of the total plus one)

d) If shin (or peh) is facing up, the player adds a game piece to the pot.

Now - where to get a dreidel. Most card and gift shops will sell dreidels around Hannukka. Your odds of finding such a shop with dreidels in stock goes up directly with the proximity of the shop to Jewish neighbourhood. Often the local Jewish cultural center will have a gift boutique with dreidels and candy money.