Sync or Swim Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Contents
• Get the Free App
• Overview
• Game Flow
• Getting Started
• Element Card Setup
• The First Round
• Elements
• Swim Practice
• Pass Cards to Swimmers
• If Time Runs Out in Practice
• Deck Diving Into the Sync Deck
• Completing Practice
• Stop the Timer!
• The Performance
• Subsequent Rounds
• Twists
• Game End & Score
• More Routines
• Tips & Tricks
• Icons and Terms
• Questions?
• Credits

Contents

• 6 Reference cards
• 80 Sync cards
• 50 Element cards
• 6 Swimmer Platforms
• 1 Center Platform

Get the Free App

• One player should install "Sync or Swim" from their phone's app store.
• The app guides you through each routine.
• A mini tutorial and reference are included.

Overview

• Element card(s) are revealed at the Center Platform.
• Sync cards showing synchronized swimming moves are dealt to players ("swimmers").
• The app's timer starts.
• Each swimmer plays specific Sync cards by their Swimmer Platform before time runs out.
• Swimmers work together to play the right cards.
• The team is scored after completing the entire routine.

Game Flow

• Place the Center Platform in the center of the table.
• Swimmers take 1 Swimmer Platform and orient it in front of themselves to match the swim lanes on the Center Platform.

Getting Started

• The Team Captain (the swimmer with the phone) launches the app, selects the number of swimmers, and chooses a routine from the Campaign screen.
• The app indicates which cards to put in the Sync deck.
• The composition of the Sync deck varies by player count.
• The Team Captain shuffles the Sync deck and places it on the Center Platform.

Element Card Setup

• The Team Captain places element cards face down around the Center Platform.

The First Round

• The Team Captain flips over the first Element card.
• The Team Captain deals out 2 Sync cards to each swimmer and then puts the Sync card deck on the Center Platform.
• Swimmers may not look at their Sync cards until the round begins.

Elements

• Face up Element card(s) show which Sync cards to place in which lane by Swim Platforms.
• For Submarine 1, swimmers place a Sync card of the same color (not gray) as the cards placed by all other swimmers into lane 1 of their Swim Platform.
• Tapping any Element card in the app displays more details about that card.

Swim Practice

• The Team Captain taps SWIM! and the timer starts.
• Everyone looks at their cards.
• Swimmers place the correct card(s) face down next to the matching lane number on their personal Swim Platform.
• Swimmers may say anything, such as:
  • Which cards are in their hand.
  • Advice, strategy, and questions.
• You may strategize before a routine begins.

Pass Cards to Swimmers

• Swimmers may pass face down cards to any swimmer.
• Cards received by swimmers may be used to fulfill an element or to help with Deck Diving (see next page).
• Swimmers may not show their cards to anyone.

If Time Runs Out in Practice

• The Team Captain taps TRY AGAIN (+ :10).
• The phone is passed to the left.
• 10 seconds are added to the timer.
• The new team captain gathers all the Sync cards, shuffles the deck, and the team repeats the current round, this time with 10 extra seconds on the timer.

Deck Diving Into the Sync Deck

• If a swimmer doesn't have the required cards, it might be time to dive into the deck for replacements!
• Discard 2 cards face up near the Center Platform.
• Take 1 card from the deck and view it.
• Keep that 1 card; or
• Discard the drawn card face up to dive for another card and repeat as necessary.
• Face up cards may not be used by any swimmer.
• Swimmers may only keep 1 card each time they Deck Dive, so the team can quickly run out of cards if they aren't careful!
• If the Sync Deck runs out:
  • Combine all face up discard piles into 1 deck.
  • Flip the deck face down and shuffle it quickly.
  • Place the deck on the Center Platform.
  • Continue diving.

Completing Practice

• Each swimmer finishes placing cards in their swim lanes, putting unused cards to the side.
• Each swimmer indicates they're finished by putting their hands together above their heads in a diving position.
• The Team Captain waits until all swimmers are finished.

Stop the Timer!

• The Team Captain puts 1 finger on each of the 2 large white circles to stop the timer.
• The PERFORMANCE TIME! screen appears.
• Don't tap anything else yet, as it is time to check if the team played their cards correctly and is in sync!

The Performance

• Starting with Lane 1, all swimmers reveal their Sync cards.
• If everyone is in sync:
  • The Team Captain taps IN SYNC!
  • The phone is passed to the left.
  • The team starts the next round with a new element or twist.
• If someone has made a mistake:
  • The Team Captain taps NOT IN SYNC (+ :10).
  • The phone is passed to the left.
  • 10 seconds are added to the timer.
  • The team repeats the current element(s) for the next round.

Subsequent Rounds

• Successful or not, all Sync cards are gathered and shuffled together.
• If successful, the team will be completing the elements in both lane 1 and 2 in the next round, adding a new element (or a twist) each round!
• Follow the instructions in the app.

Twists

• Twists (a new rule) may happen after any round.
• The first time a Twist appears, you will not flip over any element cards.
• Tap the Twist to display more details.
• The Twist for the first routine (Sudden Depth) requires that each swimmer passes cards in their hands to the player on their left after placing cards in one of their swim lanes.
• The Twist is in place for the rest of the routine (all subsequent rounds).

Game End & Score

• After completing the 6th round, the team will be given its score for the routine.
• See a detailed breakdown of your score by tapping the middle of the Score screen.
• The top score for that routine is shown on the Campaign screen.

More Routines

• The app tracks completed routines, unlocking the next one automatically.
• The Campaign has 10 routines.
• Random routines are available after the Campaign has been completed.
• Tap the gear in the lower right to unlock all routines.

Tips & Tricks

• Communicate with other swimmers during practice; remember you can say anything at all (just don't show your cards to anyone).
• Have a plan before the Team Captain taps the SWIM! button.
• Your score is impacted by the total amount of time you take...including time between practice sessions!
• Each successive campaign level is typically harder, but certain strategies could make them easier.
• Try assigning tasks to players before the round starts to save time during practice.

Icons and Terms

• Icons appear on elements and twists, and can often be combined with each other.
• Refer to the app for details on each card.

Icon/Term	Definition
Single swimmer icon with a card box	Each swimmer plays this independently of the other swimmers.
Single swimmer icon with a card box, OR single swimmer icon with a card box	Each swimmer chooses one or the other to play independently of the other swimmers.
Team of swimmers icon with a card box	All Swimmers must play these card(s).
Team of swimmers icon with a card box, OR team of swimmers icon with a card box	The Team Captain picks one or the other to play, and all swimmers must play it.
Single swimmer icon with a card box, team of swimmers icon with a card box, another team of swimmers icon with a card box	One swimmer plays the first, a second swimmer plays the second, and all other swimmers play the third. A card may qualify for more than one requirement, but only counts for one.
Two single swimmer icons with a card box, team of swimmers icon with a card box	Two swimmers play the first and all other swimmers play the second. A card may qualify for both, but only counts for one.
#	Any number.
Same	Match other cards.
Color	Card color. Gray cards may not be used when a color is required.
Blue, Yellow, or Green card icons	Blue card, Yellow card, or Green card.
Left hand / double hands / right hand icons	Any card with a left hand, double hands, or a right hand on it.
Left foot / double feet / right foot icons	Any card with a left foot, double feet, or a right foot on it.
Different	Do not match other cards.
Even	Even values (2, 4, 6, 8, 10).
Odd	Odd values (1, 3, 5, 7, 9).
Sequential	Numbers that increase by 1, such as 4-5-6-7-8.
No-symbol (circle with a slash)	Do not play a card with the indicated item on it. If there is no item on the card(s), do not play a card.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	Card with the specific value indicated.
Neighbors	Swimmers immediately to your left or right.
#+	Cards that are of that value or higher. 8+ means cards with values 8, 9, or 10.
#-

Questions?

View the help section in the Sync or Swim app.

Credits

About the Designers

Divya Hedgren admires the teamwork, endurance, precision, gracefulness, and vibrancy of synchronized swimming (also known as artistic swimming). She hopes that you and your team have a blast practicing the routines and dazzling the fans and judges with your performances!

Lucas Hedgren is also the designer of the city building game Subdivision. Luke likes playing, studying, designing, developing, explaining, describing, breaking down, understanding, reading about, writing about, and thinking about boardgames. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Ohio.

About the Artist

Alanna Kelsey has created stunning artwork and graphics for a number of games, including Maglev Metro, Whistle Mountain, Castles of Mad King Ludwig Collector's Edition, and Silver Dagger.

About the Developer

Ted Alspach is the designer of several games, including One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Werewords, Silver, Maglev Metro, Suburbia, and Castles of Mad King Ludwig. He's the developer of many games as well, including Whistle Mountain, Whistle Stop, CABO, New York Slice, and Favor of the Pharaoh.

Playtesters

Dakota Alspach, Gage Alspach, Toni Alspach, Rebecca Allsup, Melissa Barsales, Harrison Berry, Jessica Berry, Amanda Betat, Kelly Boso, Dan Calhoun, Jeff Chunko, Chris Comeaux, Marty Connell, Andrew Conant, Tyler Cornell, Natalie Dudar, Eric Edens, Ally Gold, Tony Grappin, Chris Graves, Fil de Guzman, Evan Hale, Jim Harris, Renée Harris, Savhannah Harris, Sona Hedgren, Joe Huber, Sergio Jaurez, Daniel Kachelmyer, Alanna Kelsey, Hayden Kergosien, Cat Lauderdale, Kaylie Martinez, Nathan McKeehan, David McNeely, Keith Mitchell, Becky Moore, Ryan Moore, Steve Moore, Tirzah Moore, Dawn Nall, Kaia Nall, Jonathan Nall, Tery Noseworthy, John Palagyi, Matt Pastore, Sara Pastore, Drinnen Randolph, Mike Randolph, Shaun Ridge, Heather Roberts, Manny Rodriquez, Matt Ryan, Mike Ryan, Whitney Ryan, David Satterfield, Scott Schaller, Lindsay Schlesser, Greg Schloesser, Floyd Sherrod, Matthew Sherrod, Jennifer Tavares, Michael Tavares, Wil Wade, Elizabeth Weaver, Sean Welsh, Stephanie Welsh, Mike Wutzler, Patti Wutzler, Donna Young, Dale Yu.

Bezier Games, Inc.

CEO: Ted Alspach COO: Toni Alspach App Development: Andre Infante & Chris Strater Editor: Melinda Barsales Marketing Management: Ally Gold Social Media Management: Lindsay Schlesser Graphic Design & Illustration: Alanna Kelsey Customer Support Management: Ryan Moore Quality Assurance: Nathan McKeehan & Bryon Quick Licensing & Program Management: Renée Harris Trade Show Management: Matt Ryan

©2022 Bezier Games, Inc., All Rights Reserved. No part of these rules or other game components may be duplicated or electronically copied, transmitted, or posted without the express written consent of Bezier Games, Inc.

Bezier Games and the Bezier Games logo are registered trademarks of Bezier Games, Inc. Sync or Swim is a trademark of Bezier Games, Inc.