Game, Set, Match!
Game, Set, Match! Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
General Rules
Each card shows four different sports gear objects in four different colors. Sports gear includes a golf ball, tennis racket, baseball glove, football helmet, basketball sneaker and soccer ball. Colors include: red, blue, green, purple, yellow and white. In all four games, the object is to place cards next to each other, using the following rule:
Objects right across from (touching) each other cannot match in object or color in any direction, including diagonally.
Examples:
Correct: These matches are correct because no two things alike (objects or colors) touch in any direction.
Incorrect: This match is not correct because two helmets are next to each other.
Incorrect: This match is not correct because two tennis rackets are diagonal from each other.
Incorrect: This match is not correct because two blue things (the helmet and the soccer ball) are next to each other.
Important note: Cards may only be played longside to longside or shortside to shortside. [sic: "longside" as printed]
Game 1 - Stealing Home: For 2 or more players
Object
Collect as many cards as possible, by being the first to identify correct matches.
Setup
Create a grid of four face up cards in the middle of the playing area using the general rules. Shuffle the rest of the cards and stack them in a face down draw pile, away from the four face up cards.
How to Play
One player turns over the top two cards from the draw pile and places them face up visible to everyone. Without taking turns, try to find a valid place to put one of the two cards next to the original four face up cards according to the general rules. You have to do this with your eyes - no one can touch the cards yet. When you see a match, say "Match!" The first player to say this takes one of the two cards and aligns it with a card in the grid. If all other players agree that the card fits, the winner keeps the other card (the one that was not used in the match). She then turns over the top two cards from the draw pile to start a new round.
Notes
- If a player yells "Match!" but the cards do not fit according to the general rules, he cannot say "Match!" again until the next round. Look carefully before you speak!
- If all players agree that neither card fits in a valid spot on the grid, place them both out of play and start a new round by turning over two new cards.
Ties
If two or more players call out "Match!" at the same time, they must enter a "tiebreaker round." Put the current face up cards at the bottom of the draw pile and turn over the top two cards. The tied players (but no other players) must race to find a correct match for one of the cards.
Ending the Game
When the draw pile is depleted, all players count their cards. Whoever has the most wins.
Game 2 - Scramble: For 2 to 6 players
Object
Be the first player to arrange all of your cards in a grid according to the general rules.
Setup
Shuffle the entire deck of cards. Deal seven cards face down to each player (keep them in your hand). Set the rest of the cards out of play.
How to Play
One player says, "Ready, set, go!" On the "go" signal, at the same time as all of the other players, race to make a grid of seven cards using only your own cards. Cards may be arranged in any shape, as long as touching cards follow the general rules.
Ending the Game
As soon as you've laid all seven of your cards in a grid, shout "Game!" All other players must stop arranging their cards and check to see that your cards match up in all directions according to the general rules. If someone notices a mistake, you must gather up ALL of your cards and the game continues until a new player shouts, "Game!" The first player to place all of his cards correctly wins. For a longer game, winner is the best three out of five games.
Game 3 - Gridiron: For 2 to 6 players
Object
Be the first player out of cards by making correct matches.
Setup
Shuffle the entire deck of cards. Deal seven cards face down to each player (keep them in your hand). Put one card face up in the middle of the playing area. Set the rest of the cards in a draw pile off to the side.
How to Play
The youngest player goes first and play continues to the left. On your turn, place one of your cards next to a card in the grid following the general rules. If none of your cards fit, you must draw a card and play passes to the next player.
Ending the Game
The first player out of cards wins.
Game 4 - Four Corners: For 2 players
Object
Be the first player out of cards by making correct matches.
Setup
Shuffle the entire deck of cards. Deal 10 cards face down to each player (keep them in your hand). Put one card face up in the middle of the playing area. Set the rest of the cards out of play.
How to Play
On the "go" signal, start looking for possible matches with the original card. The player that makes a match first must continue all of her matches in that direction, either in a horizontal line (long ends of cards touching) or vertical line (short ends of cards touching). If your opponent makes the first match next to the original card (horizontally), then you have to try to make all of your matches on top of or below the original card (vertically). Meanwhile, your opponent must continue to make horizontal matches.
Tip: If you can't make any more matches but you still have cards in your hand, you may pick up cards that you already placed and try to use them again in another position.
Ending the Game
The first player to place all of her cards correctly wins.