Ubongo: Das Würfelspiel
Ubongo: Das Würfelspiel Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 Ubongo pad (Ubongo-Block)
- 8 Ubongo dice (4 black and 4 white)
You also need 2–4 pencils from your household, depending on the number of players.
Game Idea
In each round, each player must grab exactly one black die and one white die from the middle of the table. Then each player may enter the Ubongo shapes shown on the dice they grabbed into their puzzle area. Whoever fills their puzzle area exactly scores points.
The game ends when all 6 puzzle areas have been played through. The player with the most points wins.
Setup
Each player receives one sheet from the pad and a pencil.
Each sheet shows 6 puzzle areas (numbered 1 to 6). Next to each number is a space in which the points scored for that area are recorded. At the end of the game, the points from the 6 puzzle areas are added up and written in the space marked "Summe:" (sum).
Diagram labels on the sheet: puzzle area; space for points; number of the puzzle area; sum space for the end of the game.
Depending on the number of players, a certain number of dice is needed:
- 2 players: 2 black dice and 2 white dice
- 3 players: 3 black dice and 3 white dice
- 4 players: 4 black dice and 4 white dice
Return unused dice to the box.
Gameplay
The youngest player is the first die-roller (Würfler).
The 6 puzzle areas are played through one after another. All players start with puzzle area 1.
The game is played over several rounds. The sequence of each round is:
- Roll all dice
- Grab two dice
- Enter zero to two Ubongo shapes into the puzzle area
- Check whether the puzzle area is filled and score points
- End of the round
1. Roll All Dice
The die-roller rolls all the dice at the same time in the middle of the table, so that all players can reach the dice easily.
Example: in a 4-player game, all 8 dice (4 black and 4 white) are rolled at the same time.
2. Grab Two Dice
Now each player grabs 2 dice: exactly one black die and one white die.
Important: when grabbing the dice, the dice must not be turned. The Ubongo shape on top of the die must stay the same. If a die is turned by accident in the hustle and bustle, it must be turned back to its original side.
3. Enter Zero to Two Ubongo Shapes into the Puzzle Area
Once every player has grabbed 2 dice, each player may enter the Ubongo shapes on their two dice into their own puzzle area.
Example: a player enters both of the shapes they grabbed into their puzzle area.
A player may enter only one of the two shapes, or none at all, if they wish. This can even be necessary when there is not enough room left in the puzzle area for the shapes they grabbed.
Example: a player enters one of the two shapes they grabbed. The other shape does not fit, so the player lets that die go unused.
The Ubongo shapes may be entered into the puzzle area mirrored.
Example: these two shapes were entered mirrored.
4. Check Whether the Puzzle Area Is Filled and Score Points
Each player then checks whether their puzzle area is completely filled. If it is, they score points:
- If this is the first round for this puzzle area in which someone finished, the player gets as many points as there are players in the game: 4 points in a 4-player game, 3 points in a 3-player game, 2 points in a 2-player game.
- If this is the second round in which someone finished, the player gets 1 point less than the number of players.
- And so on.
Important: all players who fill their puzzle area in the same round receive the same number of points. It does not matter who grabbed the dice first in that round or who entered their shapes first. Players may therefore take their time entering the shapes into their puzzle area.
The points are written into the circular space next to the puzzle area.
Example: this player was the first to fill the current puzzle area in a 4-player game. They receive 4 points, which they write in the space next to the puzzle area.
5. End of the Round
Are at least 2 players still not finished with the current puzzle area?
Then continue with the current puzzle area in the next round.
Important: players who have already filled the current puzzle area must wait until all players have received points for the current puzzle area. Until then they may no longer grab dice (and may enter no more shapes). All dice are still rolled, so the remaining players have more choice when grabbing. The remaining players still only grab 2 dice each.
Have all players but one filled the current puzzle area?
Then that player receives 1 consolation point (Trostpunkt). In a 2-player game this happens as soon as one of the two players has filled their puzzle area.
Did all remaining players fill the current puzzle area in the same round?
These players receive no consolation point. Instead they score the points for their placement as usual (first, second, and so on, as described above).
Next Puzzle Area
Only when all players have received points for the current puzzle area does the next round begin with the next puzzle area. All players may then grab dice again and enter shapes into the next puzzle area.
After each round, the next player clockwise becomes the new die-roller.
End of the Game
The game ends when all 6 puzzle areas have been played through.
Each player now adds up their points and writes the sum in the "Summe:" space. The player with the largest sum wins.
In case of a tie, the tied players share the placement.
To reduce the frequency of ties in a 2-player game, the game may optionally be played with only 5 puzzle areas.
Replacement Pads
Replacement pads can be ordered through the KOSMOS spare parts service (Ersatzteilservice). Further information is available at kosmos.de.