Tic Tac Match
Tic Tac Match Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Object
Two or four players compete to align three Symbol Cards of the same color and type (X or O) in any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal row.
Setup
Give each player a purple ID Card, returning any extras to the box. Shuffle the rest of the cards and deal four to each player, face-down. Place the remaining cards nearby as a face-down draw pile.
Reveal cards from the draw pile one at a time until you find an X or O. Place the first revealed Symbol Card in the middle of the table, to form the center of the 3×3 playing grid. The dealer (and their teammate, if applicable) now sets their ID Card to match that symbol; the other players' ID Cards should show the opposite symbol. EXAMPLE: If an X was revealed, the dealer starts the game representing X.
ID Cards must remain on the table at all times.
Card List
SYMBOL: You may play a Symbol Card either: A) on an empty space, or B) on another Symbol Card already in play. To play on another card you must match its color or symbol, but never both. EXAMPLE: You can play a green X on a green O, or a red X on a yellow X. You cannot play a red O on another red O.
FLIP: This card changes players' ID Cards during play. Play this card to the discard pile; all players must flip their ID Card to the other side.
WIPE-OUT: This card forces another player to discard their hand. In team play, this card may be used to skip players' turns. You may never play this card on yourself. Play this card to the discard pile, then immediately draw a replacement. Choose any other player to wipe out – they must discard all of their cards, draw four new ones, and then take their turn; play continues clockwise from there.
DOUBLE PLAY: This card lets you play two Symbol Cards and/or Flip Cards. You may never use this card to play a Wipe-Out or another Double Play Card. Play this card to the discard pile, then play exactly two Symbol and/or Flip Cards from your hand. Resolve actions as necessary, then end your turn by drawing back up to four cards.
SPECIAL NOTE: In the rare case that you cannot make a legal play, discard your entire hand at the beginning of your turn, draw four new cards, and take your turn as normal.
Gameplay
Start with the person to the dealer's left and continue clockwise. On your turn, you will play one card and resolve its actions as necessary. You should always begin and end your turn with exactly four cards. At the end of your turn, refill your hand from the draw pile.
If the draw pile is empty, create a new draw pile by shuffling the discard pile together with all cards in play that are covered by at least one other card. The top layer of cards will remain in place, and play will continue as normal.
The game ends when three cards of the same color and symbol are aligned in a row. If your ID Card matches that symbol, you win!
Team Play (Optional)
For team play, create two teams of two players each; ensure that team members sit opposite each other.