๐ Google Easter Eggs ยท Seasonal Games
Google Spin a Dreidel
Trick
Every December, Google likes to add a little seasonal fun, and in 2015 it added a spinning dreidel. It is a gentle, family-friendly entry on our hidden Google games list, and it is also a good way to teach the rules of a game many people only half remember. Here is how to find it, what the letters mean, and how to turn one click into a full family game.
Quick answer: Search for spin the dreidel or play dreidel, and an interactive dreidel appears in the results. Tap or click to spin it, and it lands on one of four Hebrew letters.
Key takeaways
- Google added the dreidel in December 2015, in place of its usual holiday decorations.
- It lands on Nun, Gimel, Hei or Shin, the four letters of the traditional game.
- It is seasonal, so it is most reliable around Hanukkah.
How to find it
- Search around Hanukkah. The trick is most reliable in the holiday season.
- Try a trigger phrase. Spin the dreidel and play dreidel are the best-known searches, and close variations may also work.
- Click or tap the dreidel. It spins and settles on one of its four sides.
- Spin again. There is no limit, timer or account.
What the four letters mean
| Letter | Meaning | What happens in the game |
|---|---|---|
| ื Nun | Nothing | Nothing happens and play passes to the next person. |
| ื Gimel | Everything | You take the whole pot. |
| ื Hei | Half | You take half of the pot. |
| ืฉ Shin | Put in | You add one piece to the pot. |
The four letters also have a cultural meaning. They are commonly explained as the first letters of a Hebrew phrase meaning "a great miracle happened there," which links the toy to the story of Hanukkah. Digital versions like Google's are a handy introduction, and they sit beside many other seasonal surprises in our complete list of Google Easter eggs.
Turn it into a family game
Google's dreidel is a spinner, not a full game, so you supply the pot. Give each player the same number of tokens, such as chocolate coins or buttons. Everyone puts one token in the pot to start. Take turns spinning, and follow the table above. When the pot runs empty, everyone adds one token again and play continues.
- Agree the starting stake first. Ten tokens each keeps a game to a sensible length.
- Keep the screen shared. Pass one phone or laptop around so everyone can see each spin.
- Explain the letters to newcomers. A short story about the miracle makes the game more than a toy.
- Try a house rule. For example, a Gimel can earn a small prize or a turn at picking the next song.
For a very different kind of page-bending fun, the Google gravity and underwater tricks guide is a good follow-up once the game night winds down.
How we checked this: We used Search Engine Roundtable's December 2015 report and Search Engine Land's coverage for the launch details, and compared several later guides for the letter meanings. Because the trick is seasonal, it may not appear outside Hanukkah, and browser or region may matter. Spotted something out of date? Email ownerflexora.ai@gmail.com and we will update the guide.
Your turn: Play a family round of ten spins each and track who finishes with the most tokens. Next year, see whether the Google dreidel is back and compare your results.
More hidden games to try
If you would rather type commands than spin a toy, the Google text adventure trick is next in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the original report on the dreidel game, see Search Engine Roundtable's 2015 report.