Skip to content
howtoplay.ro
13

13

Dual Brain Games · 2016
1–998+ yrs2.0/5 complexity6.9 BGG35FamilyStrategy
short answer

How do you play 13?

13 cards can be arranged in over 6 Billion possible combinations ... 6,227,020,800 to be exact. A version of this game is said to have been found at a UFO site in Texas back in the 1980s.

To find the best price for 13, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.

Not available new in shops
13 box art
official art · Dual Brain Games

13 cards can be arranged in over 6 Billion possible combinations ... 6,227,020,800 to be exact.

A version of this game is said to have been found at a UFO site in Texas back in the 1980s. With its mysterious origin, we are still unclear as to the strange effects of achieving the "13" result. Some say it sharpens intuition, improves focus, and intelligence.

But who knows....

"13" is primarily a solo card game, but more can play as well, using just 13 cards. It can be played by yourself just trying to get the highest score, break the code per say, or you could play it with two or more people as a betting game to see who can come up with the highest score over a three round match.

RULES:

The cards are mixed and dealt out randomly and face up in this configuration:

X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Cards will have either an arrow/arrows showing in which direction they may affect another card. These arrows only affect cards immediately next to them, whether horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The arrow on the activated card must be pointing to a card immediately adjacent to it, otherwise there is no effect. Some cards will have simple written instructions. When a card refers to “first position” or “last position” they are referring to the original dealt out top left position “1” or the original dealt out bottom right position “13” exactly. If the cards in those specific positions have been removed (the space is empty) then nothing happens.

So once the cards are shuffled and dealt out, you will “activate” one card and remove both the card activated and the card it affects from the tableau.

The objective is to remain with one card in the end, otherwise it’s an automatic loss. Remaining with one card in the end is usually possible, so avoiding mistakes is crucial. You’re shooting to remain with the highest value card in the end, preferably the “13”.

www.DualBrainGames.com www.thegamecrafter.com/games/131

game anatomy
Complexity2.0 / 5
BGG rating6.9 / 10
Vibe
FamilyStrategy
Language dependence
Some text — easily memorized
🌐 plays without English
Players
1–99
Recommended age
8+ yrs
from Trișache · verified

Frequently asked questions

Q1How much does 13 cost?
No store is currently tracking 13. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q2Where can I buy 13 cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q3How do you play 13?
13 is a abstract strategy game, for 1–99 players, taking ~5 minutes, featuring hand management. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about 13 — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q4How many players does 13 support?
13 is played by 1–99 players.
Q5How long does a game of 13 take?
A game of 13 takes about 5 minutes. (The first game doesn't count. It never counts.)
Q6What age is 13 for?
13 is recommended from age 8.
Q7How complex is 13?
13 has a BoardGameGeek complexity of 2.0 out of 5.

Right now, none of the shops we track sells 13 new.

Mechanics & categories

Expansions

Accessories