I am streamlining some of the rules for the next version of my game, Rivers.
I plan to add illustrations to reinforce the rules but want the rules to be as clear as possible even without them. After reading these rules do you think you would be able to properly play the game? What parts are confusing or what questions do you have? Thank you!
Players: 2
Playtime: 15 minutes
Suggested Age: 7 and up
Components: 52 playing cards (jokers optional)
Setup
Deal 4 shared cards face up in a row between both players. Deal 4 cards to each player. Place the deck face down at either end of the row. The person that most recently ate fish goes first.
The numbered cards (A-10) are fish. The face cards and jokers are fishermen. A fisherman reduces the value of each matching (suit) fish card within the same river by 1. Jokers are wildcards so they reduce all fish cards within the same river by 1.
Sequence of Play
Start your turn by drawing a card. If the deck is empty, shuffle the cards in the discard pile to form a new deck.
Play a card below one of the shared cards.
Each of your rivers is made up of the shared card plus all your fish and fishermen below it. Whenever one of your rivers adds up to exactly 15 fish, collect that set of cards and keep it next to you. Keep each scored set separate from one another. Discard all cards your opponent played above the missing shared card. Draw a card to replace the missing shared card.
End of Game
The game ends when all cards have been played.
Both players add up the score of each set and the player with the highest total score wins! If tied, the player with the highest scoring set wins!
Card Point Values
• Each fish card is worth 1 point.
• Each fisherman is worth 1 point for every matching fish card within the same set!
Set Bonus
• If all cards in a set are the same color, double its score.
• If all cards in a set are the same suit, triple its score instead.
Jokers are wildcards.
