What you need
- A Qwirkle set of 108 tiles: six shapes in six colors, with three copies of each of the 36 combinations
- The draw bag
- Pen and paper, or the free score keeper
Players and time
2 to 4 players. About 30 to 60 minutes.
The goal
Build lines of tiles that share a color or a shape, and score the most points. Each turn, you score one point for every tile in each line you add to.
A line of six different tiles in one color or one shape is a Qwirkle, and it earns a 6 point bonus on top of the six line points.
Setup
- Put all 108 tiles in the bag.
- Each player draws six tiles and keeps them out of sight of the other players. This is your hand.
- Each player looks at their hand and counts the largest group of tiles that all share one color or one shape. Do not count duplicates, so two red circles count as one.
- The player who can play the most tiles that share one attribute goes first. If two players tie, the older of them starts.
- The first player lays that group of tiles in one line in the middle of the table. Play then goes clockwise.
A turn
- On your turn, do one of three things: play one tile, play two or more tiles, or trade tiles. After you play, draw tiles from the bag to get back to six.
- Playing one tile: add it to the grid so that it touches at least one tile already on the table, and so that every line it joins still works (see Lines below).
- Playing two or more tiles: all the tiles must share one attribute (all one color, or all one shape), and all must go in the same line. They do not have to touch each other, but each must join the line it is in.
- Trading: instead of playing, set aside the tiles you want to trade, draw the same number from the bag, and then put your set-aside tiles back in the bag. You may trade some or all of your tiles. If you cannot play any tile, you must trade.
- After a turn, score it (see Scoring below) and say your total. Then it is the next player's turn, clockwise.
Special cards and combinations
- Lines
- Two or more tiles that touch in a row or column make a line. A line must be all one color or all one shape. A line of one color can have only one of each shape, and a line of one shape can have only one of each color, so the longest possible line is six tiles.
- Qwirkle
- A line of six tiles is called a Qwirkle. It is either six shapes in one color or six colors in one shape. When you complete one, you score the 6 tiles plus a 6 point bonus, which is 12 points for that line. A line can never be longer than six tiles.
- Tiles that are in two lines
- A tile can be part of two lines at once, one across and one up and down. Count it in both lines, so one tile can score twice in the same turn.
- Going out
- When the bag is empty, play continues but you no longer draw. The first player to play all of their tiles ends the game and earns a 6 point bonus.
- Lines of five
- A line of five tiles hands the next player a chance at a Qwirkle if they hold the sixth tile. The rule sheet suggests counting the tiles: look at the grid to see whether the missing tile can still be played before you build a line of five.
Scoring
You score one point for each tile in every line you create or add to, including the tiles that were already in the line. A tile that is part of two lines is counted in both. Add the lines together for your turn.
A line must have two or more tiles to score. If you play a tile that touches others only in one direction, it scores for that line only.
| What you do | Points |
|---|---|
| Each tile in a line you create or extend | 1 for each tile, counting the old tiles |
| A tile that is in two lines | Counted in both lines |
| Complete a Qwirkle (a line of six) | 6 for the tiles + 6 bonus = 12 |
| Play your last tile after the bag is empty | 6 bonus |
| Trade tiles instead of playing | No tiles played, no points |
Worked example
You play one blue circle. It touches a line of 3 blue tiles to its left, and a line of 2 circles above it. It joins the blue line, making 4 tiles, so that is 4 points. It also joins the circle line, making 3 tiles, so that is 3 points. Your turn scores 4 + 3 = 7 points.
Later you add the sixth different shape to a line of five red tiles, completing a Qwirkle. The line has 6 tiles, so you score 6 + a 6 point bonus = 12 points. If the same tile also joins a line of 2 other tiles, it makes a line of 3, worth 3 more, for a total of 12 + 3 = 15.
Keep score with the Qwirkle score keeper
How to win
The game ends when the bag is empty and one player plays their last tile. That player gets the 6 point going-out bonus. The player with the highest total score wins.
The rule sheet does not say what to do if two players have the same total, so agree on it before you start. The simplest choice is to share the win.
Common house rules
These are house rules. They are not part of the official rules, so agree on them before you start.
- Tied scores (house rule) House rule
- The rule sheet gives no tiebreak. Sharing the win is the simplest option. Another is to give it to the player who went out. Pick one before the game, because the official rules do not.
Frequently asked questions
How many tiles are in Qwirkle?
There are 108 tiles: six colors and six shapes make 36 combinations, and there are three copies of each.
How many tiles do you hold at once?
Six. After your turn, draw from the bag to get back to six, until the bag runs out.
Who goes first in Qwirkle?
Each player counts the largest group of tiles in their hand that share one color or one shape, leaving out duplicates. The player who can play the most tiles starts. If two players tie, the older player starts.
How do you score a turn in Qwirkle?
One point for every tile in each line you create or add to, counting the tiles that were already in the line. If a tile is part of two lines, it is counted in both.
How many points is a Qwirkle worth?
A line of six scores 12 points: 6 for the six tiles and 6 for the Qwirkle bonus.
What is the bonus for going out?
The first player to play all of their tiles after the bag is empty ends the game and gets a 6 point bonus.
Can you trade tiles instead of playing?
Yes. Set aside the tiles you want to trade, draw the same number from the bag, and then put the set-aside tiles back and mix. You must trade if you cannot add any tile to the grid. A turn spent trading scores nothing.
Can two tiles in a line be the same?
No. A line of one color can only have one of each shape, and a line of one shape can only have one of each color. Identical tiles can never share a line, even though the set has three copies of each tile.
Sources
- Qwirkle rule sheet, "How to Play" (2 to 4 players, 108 tiles) (Components, setup, who starts, the three turn options, lines, trading, scoring, the Qwirkle bonus, going out, and worked examples. This scan of the English sheet does not name the publisher.)
- Official Game Rules: Qwirkle (Used as a cross-check of the 108 tiles, six-tile hands, MindWare as publisher and the tile counts. It does not give a tiebreak either.)
Qwirkle is a trademark of its owner. Rules and Scores is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher or the owner of the Qwirkle name.