Stoplights
Stoplights Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Object of the Game
To be the first player to align 5 stoplights of your color in a diagonal or horizontal line.
Setup
There are 3 sets (4 cards each) of "Starting Cards". The starting cards have a unique border color around them (red, yellow, or green). Each player should take one set (4 cards) of the starting cards. In a two-player game, use only two sets of the starting cards and put one set aside (out of play). (Special rules for solitaire follow at the end of these rules). You may never hold more than 7 cards in your hand. Remove the rules cards and shuffle the deck. Select a starting player (we suggest the youngest). You are now ready to begin playing Stoplights.
Note: rule card 1 refers to "the rules cards" and to solitaire rules "at the end of these rules". Those are rule cards 2 and 3; the solitaire rules are in the Solitaire section below.
Starting with the first player, and then in clockwise order, players may choose one of the following actions:
- Play 1 card from your hand onto the table, and then draw 1 card from the deck.
- Play 1 card from your hand on top of any card on the table. Do not draw a card.
- Draw 2 cards from the deck into your hand.
Blocks
Black lights (no color) are found on some cards and can be used as a way to block or stop your opponent(s) from winning. They serve no other purpose and are not eligible to win (5 in a row). In a 2 player game, the color that is out of play is not eligible to win but may be used to block.
Wilds
White lights are found on some cards and may be used on your turn as "wilds" (your color)! Be aware that once these cards are down on the table they will change color on your opponents turn(s) to his or her color.
Placing a Card
When laying down a card you must touch a card already on the table. This can be done corner to corner, short edge to short edge, or long edge to long edge. You can always turn your cards upside down, (short edge up) but you may never place your cards down sideways (long edge up). (see example card)
Playing Area
When laying down cards, you may never have more than 7 cards side by side in a row, or more than 6 cards top to bottom in a column. (see example card)
Covering
On your turn, if you choose action 2, you may take a card from your hand and place it over any card on the board. The covered card remains underneath your card for the rest of the game. Any card on the board may be covered any number of times. Because this can be a very powerful move, you do not get to draw a replacement card, and may find yourself short on cards in a hurry! If you run out of cards, you must take action 3 (draw 2 cards).
Winning the Game
If at any time during your turn you align 5 lights of your color (you can use wilds) in a diagonal or horizontal row, you win.
Variants
Try playing Stoplights on a 5x5 grid for a more challenging game, or a 5x9 grid for an easier one.
For a longer game, ignore white (wild) lights.
Solitaire
Shuffle all 46 Stoplight cards (not the rules and quick starts). Set aside, sight unseen and out of play, the top 4 cards from the deck. You will use only 42 (of the 46) cards for the Solitaire game. Draw 1 card at a time and play it to the table using the normal game rules above. Play all 42 cards to the table, forming a 6x7 grid. You may not "cover" cards in the solitaire game. Remember: Rows can be either horizontal or diagonal; and whites are "wild". Your goal is to make as many 4-5-6-7 in-a-row combinations as possible. When you have filled the 6x7 grid, the game is over.
Scoring
Award points for every 4, or 5, or 6 or 7 in a row you've completed. You score 2 points for 4 in a row; 5 points for 5 in a row, 7 points for 6 in a row, and 10 points for 7 in a row.