5ive Straight Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• About the Game & Number of Players
• Object of the Game
• Contents
• Setup
• How to Play
  • A turn consists of either:
• Winning
• Important Notes

About the Game & Number of Players

5ive Straight may be played by 2, 4, 6 or 8 players equally divided into two opposing teams or 3, 6, or 9 players equally divided into three opposing teams. It is especially exciting to play the game with three teams of two.

Object of the Game

The object is to be the first player or team to successfully place five pegs in adjacent squares in a straight line, vertically, horizontally or diagonally.

Contents

• 1 plastic gameboard (pegboard) with numbers 0-99
• 3 sets of colored pegs
• 1 deck of 5ive Straight cards

Setup

• Players of each team sit next to players of the opposing team.
• Distribute the pegs among the players, with each team using a different color peg.
• Place the gameboard in the center of the table.

How to Play

• Select a dealer. The dealer shuffles the deck well and deals four cards, facedown, to each player. The remainder of the deck is placed face down near the gameboard.
• Players may look at their own cards, but should be careful not to show their cards to any other player. The player to the left of the dealer makes the first play. He must play a card face up on the table and put a peg in a square having the same or higher number than the number on the card. For example: The player plays the number 50 card and chooses to place a peg in the number 54 square.

NOTE: A peg may never be placed in a square having a lower number than that of the card played.

• Play continues clockwise around the table until it returns to the first player. The first player now has the option of playing a card and placing a peg as he did previously, or picking a card from the deck and adding it to his hand. If a player chooses to pick a card, that ends his turn (he does not also place a peg on that turn).

A turn consists of either:

1. Playing a card from hand and placing a peg in the gameboard, OR
2. Picking a card from the deck and adding it to your hand. All players have the option of picking a card from the deck when they hold less than four cards in hand. When a player holds the maximum of four cards, he must play a card and place a peg. Obviously, if a player holds no cards, he must pick a card from the deck.

Winning

The winner is the first player or team to complete a five-in-a-row of their colored pegs in adjacent squares. Rows can be in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line. The game ends immediately when the fifth peg (for the five-in-a-row) is placed.

Important Notes

1. Once a card is played it may not be put back into play, but must remain face up in front of the player who played it.
2. There is a strategy in deciding if a player should play a card and place a peg or draw another card and end his turn. After you've played the games a few times you will find it's never a good idea to be low on cards in your hand (fewer cards = fewer possible plays).
3. Dead cards are possible. For example: If a player holds card number 92 and all of the numbers 92 through 99 on the gameboard have already been filled with pegs, 92 is a "dead" card because it cannot be played. Don't reveal dead cards. However, if a player comes to hold four dead cards in hand, he is out of the game.
4. Players should refrain from comments or signals that aid their partners and distract their opponents.
5. The low numbered cards are the most valuable, both offensively and defensively. It is wise to save low cards for important moves later in the game.