Hi-Spot
Hi-Spot Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
- 56 Tiles
- Game Tray
- 4 Tile Racks
- 1 Tile Bag
Keeping Score
Write the initial or name of each player. As each play is made, the scorekeeper adds points in the proper column. The game is 200 points and consists of several rounds.
Preparation
Place the Game Tray within easy reach of all players. Place all "Stack-Ominos" tiles in the tile bag. Each player selects the required number of tiles as follows and places them on their tile rack so that no other player can see them.
- 2 players: 5 tiles each
- 3 players: 5 tiles each
- 4 players: 4 tiles each
Who Plays First
To choose who plays first, each player chooses one tile from the bag. The player choosing the tile with the most dots goes first. If two or more players tie on the first draw, only those players draw again until the tie is broken. Play then continues in clockwise order.
Scoring
Points are scored by stacking the tiles into any of the nine (9) sections of the game tray. Tiles can be turned in any direction and on either side. However, no dots may ever cover another dot (see diagram 1).
Starting Play
The first player places one of their tiles into one section of the game tray, or more than one if they can be stacked on top of one another WITHOUT ANY OF THE DOTS COVERING EACH OTHER. One point is scored for each dot on the tiles played (see diagram 2). At the end of the play, the player replaces the used tiles with tiles from the bag, places these tiles on their tile rack, and the next player goes.
Example of first play: 3 + 3 = 6 points.
Next Player May Either
The next player may either:
- (a) Start a new Stack in any one empty section with one or more of their tiles, or
- (b) Add a tile or tiles to any stack or stacks already on the tray. (Remember: no dot may ever cover another dot.)
Players may do either (a) or (b) on a turn but not both. If a player chooses (a), they may only start one (1) Stack. If a player chooses (b), they may add tiles or a tile to any number of existing stacks already on the tray, but cannot start any new stacks.
Having done either of the above, the turn is ended unless the player uses all tiles on their rack (see Rule #8) or accumulates 9 points on one stack (see Rule #7).
When a player gets 9 points on one stack (either by adding to an existing stack or making one of their own), they receive the 9 points and may continue their turn by either adding to an existing stack or stacks or making a new stack with any of their remaining tiles, and receive the additional points. Each time a player gets a 9 they may continue, even if it occurs on the same turn. However, during any one turn a player can start only one new stack (see diagram 3).
If a player ever uses all of the tiles on their rack in one turn, they may replace them all from the tile bag and continue their play.
Editor's note: the source text does not number its rules; "Rule #7" and "Rule #8" are kept as printed in the source and refer to the paragraphs above (the 9-point continuation and the all-tiles replacement).
Example Plays
If a player adds a 3-dot tile and a 2-dot tile onto a 3-dot tile already set in the tray, the total score for this turn is 8 points (see diagram 4). NOTE: the player does not score 6 points (3 + 3) and 8 points (3 + 3 + 2).
If a player adds a 2-dot tile, a 3-dot tile and a 4-dot tile onto existing stacks in one turn, the player scores as follows (see diagram 5).
Unable to Play
If a player is unable to use any of their tiles on a turn, they may go to the tile bag, replace any or all of their tiles with new tiles, return their tiles to the bag, and miss that turn.
Ending the Round
When all the tiles have been removed from the bag and one player goes out (uses their last tile or tiles), any remaining tiles on the racks are deducted from each player's individual score. If no player goes out, then each player deducts from their score. Play is also stopped, even if tiles remain in the bag, if no tiles in or out of the bag can be played. All tiles are then put in the tile bag and the next round begins.
Winning
The first player to score 200 points is the winner.
Hint
It is smart to hold onto the 1-dot tiles until the later stages of the game, when they can be used to your greater advantage.
Time Limit
That is really all there is to "Stack-Ominos". The only suggestion is that if a player continually takes too long on their turn, set a limit of 30 seconds or a minute each.