Qwirkle Flex Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Quick Rules for Players Who Know Qwirkle
  • Horizontal and Vertical Rows
  • Diagonal Rows
  • Example
• Components
  • Assembling the Racks
• Object of the Game
• Introduction
• Setup
  • Determining the Starting Player
• Turn Sequence
  • 1. Choosing Tiles
  • 2. Placing Tiles
  • 3. Scoring
    • Horizontal and Vertical Rows
    • Diagonal Rows
    • Qwirkle Scoring
    • Qwirkle Flex Scoring
  • 4. Refilling Tiles
• Exchanging Tiles
• End of the Game

Quick Rules for Players Who Know Qwirkle

If you are already familiar with Qwirkle, you can find all the additional rules for Qwirkle Flex on this page. The detailed rules begin on page 4.

We recommend using only the 36 tiles with a black background and the 36 tiles with a white background for your first games, even if you already know Qwirkle.

Once you have mastered Qwirkle Flex with the white and black tiles, also add the 36 tiles with a split background.

NOTE: Tiles with a split background are simply to be treated as a third background color. They score like the black or white backgrounds. The orientation of the split tiles does not matter. The playing area does look nicer, however, if all split tiles are laid in the same orientation.

(Illustration: the orientation is irrelevant for scoring.)

You play Qwirkle Flex exactly like Qwirkle. Note the following special features:

You form vertical and horizontal rows of the same color or the same shape to score points, just as in Qwirkle. In addition, you now also score points when tiles lying diagonally have the same background.

When placing tiles, the background can be disregarded. The row must, however, consist either of tiles that are all printed with the same shape or that all have the same color, without duplicates. Just like Qwirkle.

Horizontal and Vertical Rows

You score points as in Qwirkle: 1 point for each tile in a vertical row that you form or extend, and 1 point for each tile in a horizontal row that you form or extend. Whoever completes a row of 6 tiles forms a Qwirkle and receives 12 points for it. The background plays no role in the scoring of vertical and horizontal rows.

Diagonal Rows

For each tile you place, check whether it belongs to a diagonal row of tiles with the same background.

You receive 1 point for each tile in the diagonal row with the same background, regardless of the shapes and colors of the tiles.

If you form a diagonal row of 6 tiles with the same background, you have achieved a Qwirkle Flex and receive 6 bonus points for it.

Caution: You can NOT EXTEND diagonal rows that already have 6 tiles with the same background.

Example

The upper two tiles have been placed and score as follows:

• 2 points for the horizontal row with the new circles.
• 2 points for the extended vertical row with circles.
• 2 points for the diagonal row with white background.
• 6 points for the diagonal row with black background plus 6 bonus points for the Qwirkle Flex.

Total: 18 points.

Components

• 108 wooden tiles. 36 each with 3 different backgrounds: black background, white background, split background.
• 1 bag
• 4 racks for the tiles (must be assembled)

Assembling the Racks

Assemble them once as shown, and after removing and discarding the box insert, store them assembled in the box.

1. Fold the outer sides inward (logo facing toward the table).
2. Push the tab through the slot with light pressure until it sits firmly.
3. Tilt the rack so that the logo faces away from you.
4. Done! This way you always have your tiles in good view during the game.

Object of the Game

Place tiles to form or extend rows of the same color or the same shape. You score points for horizontal, vertical and diagonal rows. Whoever has the most points wins!

Introduction

We recommend using only the 36 tiles with a black background and the 36 tiles with a white background for your first games, even if you already know Qwirkle.

Once you have mastered Qwirkle Flex with the white and black tiles, also add the 36 tiles with a split background.

NOTE: Tiles with a split background are simply to be treated as a third background color. They score like the black or white backgrounds. The orientation of the split tiles does not matter. The playing area does look nicer, however, if all split tiles are laid in the same orientation.

Setup

Decide who of you keeps score. You need paper and a pencil. Everyone receives 1 rack.

The tiles go into the bag and are mixed well. Everyone blindly draws 6 tiles from the bag and stands them on the rack in front of them.

Determining the Starting Player

First check how many of your tiles have the same color or the same shape (tiles identical in both color and shape count only once). Ignore the backgrounds. Tell each other how many tiles you have in your largest set.

Whoever has the largest set takes the first turn and lays these tiles in a row in the middle of the table to begin the game. If two or more of you have the largest sets, the oldest of them starts. Play then continues clockwise.

(Illustration: example sets of 3 tiles.)

Turn Sequence

On your turn, carry out the following steps in this order:

1. Choose tiles from your rack.
2. Place your tiles.
3. Receive points.
4. Refill your rack to 6.

Instead of placing tiles you may exchange them (see the section "Exchanging Tiles").

1. Choosing Tiles

Choose 1 or more tiles from your rack. You may choose several tiles if they either have the same color or the same shape and are not identical.

You can choose a single tile, OR several tiles with the same shape that are not identical, OR several tiles with the same color that are not identical.

Tiles that merely have the same background can NOT be chosen for placing.

2. Placing Tiles

A tile that is played must always touch at least one tile already on the table. It must border the other tile completely along an edge. Played tiles must also be placed so that they are all part of a vertical or horizontal row. A row consists of 2 or more tiles that touch each other.

(Illustrations: a yellow row; a row of diamonds.)

For placing tiles, their background is not important. The row must, however, consist either of tiles with the same shape or of tiles with the same color, without duplicates. For example, a row of diamonds may contain only one yellow diamond.

(Illustration: DOES NOT FIT. 2 yellow diamonds.)

A row can contain at most 6 tiles, as there are only 6 shapes and 6 colors. A row that forms a diagonal Qwirkle also cannot be longer than 6 tiles. (An example can be found in the section "Scoring".) A diagonal Qwirkle is called a Qwirkle Flex.

(Illustration: DOES NOT FIT. 7 tiles. 2 yellow circles.)

If you place several tiles, they must all be part of the same row. They do not have to touch each other. They may, for example, be placed at both ends of the same row.

(Illustration: You may place the orange and the red diamond at the ends of the row, since both are placed in the same row.)

Tiles can also fit into several rows.

(Illustration: These two orange tiles fit the orange row. The orange square also fits into the row of squares, and the orange star fits into the row of stars.)

3. Scoring

Horizontal and Vertical Rows

You score 1 point for each tile in a vertical row that you form or extend, and 1 point for each tile in a horizontal row that you form or extend. The background plays no role in the scoring of vertical and horizontal rows.

Example: These two placed green tiles bring 3 points for the green row, 3 points for the row of squares and 3 points for the row of stars, so 9 points in total.

Diagonal Rows

For each tile you place, check whether it belongs to a diagonal row of tiles with the same background. You receive 1 point for each tile in the diagonal row with the same background, regardless of the printed shapes and colors.

Example: This placed blue square brings a total of 11 points: 2 points for the blue row (horizontal) and 4 points for the row of squares (vertical). For the two diagonal rows with white background, further points are added: 2 and 3 points.

Qwirkle Scoring

Whoever completes a row of 6 tiles forms a Qwirkle. A Qwirkle brings at least 12 points: 6 points for the completed row plus 6 bonus points.

(Illustrations: all 6 shapes in one color; all 6 colors in the same shape. Each marked 12.)

Qwirkle Flex Scoring

If you form a continuous diagonal row of 6 tiles with the same background, you have formed a Qwirkle Flex and receive 6 bonus points for it.

Caution: You can NOT EXTEND diagonal rows that already have 6 tiles with the same background.

4. Refilling Tiles

After you have placed tiles and scored, refill your rack to 6 tiles. Draw the tiles blindly from the bag.

Exchanging Tiles

Instead of placing tiles you may exchange them. This counts as your turn and you receive no points. Set aside all tiles you want to exchange, then blindly draw the same number from the bag. You cannot exchange more tiles than are in the bag. After you have drawn, mix the set-aside tiles back into the bag. After the exchange your turn is over.

If you cannot place a tile, you must exchange some.

End of the Game

Once the bag is empty, you skip drawing at the end of your turn and play continues. Whoever first places their last own tile receives 6 bonus points and ends the game. Whoever now has the most points wins! If the game ends in a tie, those involved share the victory and agree to play again in the future.