Ka Pai
Ka Pai Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 2 dice
- 1 score block
- 4 pencils
Note: The distribution of the symbols on both dice is different.
Set Up
Each player gets a score sheet and a pencil. The youngest player gets both dice.
Tip: The game can be played with an unlimited number of players!
Game Overview
The game is played in rounds. Each round all players use the result of the dice rolled and simultaneously draw symbols on their sheet. By making groups of the same symbol and connecting totems with other totems, they try to score the most points at the end of the game.
Each round one player rolls both dice and all players must use the result of this roll by drawing the rolled symbol(s) on their sheet:
- If the rolled symbols on both dice are the same, all players must draw both symbols.
- If the rolled symbols on both dice are not the same, each player must choose and draw one of the rolled symbols on their sheet.
Example: The rolled dice show a square and a circle. Each player must choose one of these symbols to draw. This player decides to draw a square.
Draw Symbol(s)
You can only draw symbols in free spaces in which nothing is drawn yet. You can't draw symbols in a filled space or in a space with a totem.
You can draw the very first symbol in any space on your sheet. All following symbols must be drawn horizontally or vertically adjacent to an already drawn symbol. Any symbols can be drawn next to each other – they don't need to be identical.
When two symbols are drawn in the same turn, both symbols must be drawn adjacent to each other. Exception: Only when a player does not have two adjacent free spaces, the two identical symbols can be drawn in two non-adjacent spaces.
Make a Group
When a player has drawn three symbols of the same type in horizontally or vertically adjacent spaces, these symbols form a group. That player marks this group by drawing a ring around this group. Groups of three triangles, three squares and three circles score points at the end of the game (see: End of Game and Scoring). Groups with lines (/) give a bonus for groups and might also score points (see: Choose a Bonus).
Important: Symbols can never be part of multiple groups.
Example: This player has drawn his third triangle in vertically adjacent spaces. He draws a ring around these three triangles to make a group.
Choose a Bonus
After making a group of three lines (/), the player must immediately choose a bonus by marking a bonus field space. Groups of the selected symbol score bonus points (see: End of Game and Scoring).
Important: Only groups of three lines enable marking a bonus space.
Example: After making a group with three lines, the player decides to mark a bonus space for triangles.
End of Game and Scoring
The game ends when all players have completely filled all spaces in the main area on their sheets.
Now each player scores points for:
- Groups of symbols: Count the number of groups of each symbol (triangle, circle, square) and write down that number on the top of the score sheet. That number will be multiplied by either 2, 3 or 4 depending on the type of symbol.
- Connected totems: Count the number of totems connected to another totem with an uninterrupted connection of the same symbol between each totem. You score points for the highest number of connected totems in the same network. If you have multiple networks connecting totems, you only score one network. You score 2/4/7/12 points for connecting 2/3/4/5 totems.
- Bonuses: Count the number of marked bonus spaces for each symbol and multiply this number with the number of groups of that symbol.
The player with the most points wins the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most bonus marks wins. If a tie still persists, victory is shared.
Example: This player scores 6 + 3 + 4 points for groups with the same symbol. He has two different networks connecting totems (one at the bottom connecting two totems and one at the top connecting three totems). The best network connecting 3 totems is scored. Therefore he scores 4 points. Finally he scores 6 (three groups of triangles multiplied by two bonus marks) + 3 (three groups of lines multiplied by one bonus mark) = 9 points for bonuses. His total score is 26 points.
Solo Game
Play with the regular rules and try to beat your own score. Compare your score with the following to see how you've done:
| Score | Result |
|---|---|
| 0-29 | Not exactly Ka Pai, but keep it up and you'll get there! |
| 30-39 | Have you been practising? |
| 40-49 | Getting closer... |
| 50-55 | Almost there! |
| 56+ | Ka Pai!* |
* Ka Pai means "well done!" in the Māori culture.