Matanga!
Matanga! Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 1 Special pencil
- 1 Special die
- 1 Book of number sheets
- 1 Rule sheet (you're reading it)
Overview
You take turns to roll the special die. When you roll the pencil symbol, you grab the pencil and quickly mark off the numbers on your sheet in order, from 1 to 60. The goal is to get to 60 first!
At the same time, the other players try to roll the pencil symbol. If any player gets it, that player instantly takes the special pencil from the player who's marking. Then they start marking off their own sheet as fast as they can.
The players each try to mark up to 60 with only one pencil, all at the same time!
Preparation
Each player receives one number sheet separately from the book of sheets. You put your sheet face-up in front of you, ready to mark the numbers. The special pencil is placed in the middle of the table. The youngest player is the first player, and takes the special die.
Rules of play
In the game, the players take turns going clockwise. The first player picks up the die and rolls it. That starts the game, and it doesn't stop until someone gets to 60.
- If the die roll comes up on a blank side, nothing happens. That player's turn is over and the next player rolls the die right away.
- If the die roll comes up on the pencil symbol, the player who rolled it takes the pencil, and starts to mark the numbers off on their sheet from 1 to 60. That player keeps crossing off numbers in order until they lose the pencil.
Each time the die is rolled, the next player takes their turn to roll as soon as possible. No waiting!
The player with the pencil continues to mark off their numbers whoever's turn it is. If the die gets back round to them, they skip the die roll and just keep marking their sheet. (This means that in a 2 player game, the player who is rolling keeps rolling until they get the pencil symbol).
Whenever you roll the pencil symbol on the die, you simply grab the pencil from the player who's got it, and start to mark off the numbers on your own sheet in the same way. The game carries on like this, as fast as you can.
End of game, and the winner
The game ends as soon as a player crosses off the number 60 on their sheet. They win!
Variant rules
Variant rule - 1
In a 3 player game, the player rolling keeps rolling until they get the pencil symbol (same as a 2 player game).
Variant rule - 2
Each player marks from 60 down to 1. It's a countdown and makes a nice twist.
Variant rule - 3
For a handicap, the player has to mark with a difficult symbol, like a signature.
Variant rule - 4
For a shorter game, the game ends at 30 or 40 or 50. Or the player starts from 10, 20 or 30. When adults play against children, they could use variant #3 or #4 to make it fairer.