How do you use a dreidel?

Answer 1

A dreidel is used for Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday that lasts eight days and comes in December. Dreidel is actually a game; here's what happens:

1. There are four sides to a dreidel: shin (ש), gimel (ג), nun (נ), and hay (ה).
2. There is gelt in the middle of the table; usually a lot, like 50 or so. Everyone gets a handful (gelt is usually chocolate coins wrapped in tin foil individually wrapped). If you don't have gelt, virtually anything will work: little candies, pennies, etc.
3. Give everyone the same amount of gelt, like 5 or so.
4. You take turns spinning the dreidel like a top. If you land on gimel, you get all the gelt...you win! Normally you keep playing and everyone puts in about three to start a new round. If you get hay, you get half the gelt in the middle. If you get nun, you get NOTHING. If you get shin, you put one gelt in the middle again.
5. Dreidel never really ends...you just keep playing. If you run out, technically you're out, but if you play with little kids it's better to just give them 3 gelt and continue playing.
6. You go around the table in a circle and everyone spins the dreidel one time on their turn.