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Spots
CMYK · 2022
1–425–30 min10+ yrs1.3/5 complexity7.1 BGG#896 BGG14 KCouplesFamily
⚡ short answer
How do you play Spots?
The primary objective in Spots is to be the first player to successfully complete six dog cards. A dog card is considered complete when all of its designated spots have dice assigned to them, matching the required values. This race to complete dogs drives the gameplay and strategic decisions.
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FromRON 129· 6 shops
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
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01
Setup
Players receive a hand of dog cards, and a set of trick tiles are placed face-up in the center of the table.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up the game, each player receives a starting hand of dog cards, which feature various dogs with empty spots for dice. A set of trick tiles, each detailing unique actions and abilities, are laid face-up in the center of the table, forming a pool of available tricks for players to choose from during their turns. Some trick tiles are always available, while others vary from game to game, adding replayability.
Objective
The primary objective in Spots is to be the first player to successfully complete six dog cards. A dog card is considered complete when all of its designated spots have dice assigned to them, matching the required values. This race to complete dogs drives the gameplay and strategic decisions.
On your turn
During a player's turn, they have two main options: either perform one of the available tricks from the center of the table or score their completed dog cards. If they choose a trick, they follow the instructions on the chosen trick tile, which typically involves rolling a certain number of dice and strategically assigning them to the empty spots on their dog cards. Dice that cannot be placed on dog cards must be 'buried' in their personal discard area. If the total value of buried dice exceeds 7, the player 'fumbles', losing all dice on their dog cards and all buried dice. Some trick tiles also offer special abilities, such as rerolling dice or gaining 'prizes' (bone tokens) that can be used to reroll dice later.
Scoring
When a player successfully fills all the spots on a dog card with dice, they score it. To score a dog card, the player removes all dice from it, flips the card over to its completed side, and places it in their scored pile. They then draw a new dog card from the deck to replace the one they just completed. This process allows players to continuously work towards their goal of completing six dogs.
Game end
The game concludes as soon as any player manages to complete their sixth dog card. That player immediately wins the game, regardless of the current state of other players' boards or the number of dice they have accumulated. This creates a tense race element, where players must balance completing their own dogs with potentially hindering opponents.
Tips
A crucial tip for playing Spots is to manage your buried dice carefully. If the sum of your buried dice ever exceeds 7, you 'fumble', losing all dice on your current dog cards and all buried dice, which can be a significant setback. Utilize the trick tiles strategically; some tiles offer ways to mitigate risk or gain advantages, such as rerolling dice or manipulating dice values. Pay attention to the dog paw icons on some trick tiles, as these can enhance their effects based on the number of dog cards with paw prints you have in your play area. Also, remember that you can spend 'prizes' (bone tokens) to reroll all dice from your last roll, which can be a lifesaesaver when facing a potential fumble.
game anatomy
Complexity1.3 / 5
BGG rating7.1 / 10
Vibe
CouplesFamily
Language dependence
Moderate text — a crib sheet helps
Play time
25–30 min
Players
1–4
Recommended age
10+ yrs
BGG rank
#896
from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective in Spots is to be the first player to successfully complete six dog cards. A dog card is considered complete when all of its designated spots have dice assigned to them, matching the required values. This race to complete dogs drives the gameplay and strategic decisions.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up the game, each player receives a starting hand of dog cards, which feature various dogs with empty spots for dice. A set of trick tiles, each detailing unique actions and abilities, are laid face-up in the center of the table, forming a pool of available tricks for players to choose from during their turns. Some trick tiles are always available, while others vary from game to game, adding replayability.
Q3How does a turn work?
During a player's turn, they have two main options: either perform one of the available tricks from the center of the table or score their completed dog cards. If they choose a trick, they follow the instructions on the chosen trick tile, which typically involves rolling a certain number of dice and strategically assigning them to the empty spots on their dog cards. Dice that cannot be placed on dog cards must be 'buried' in their personal discard area. If the total value of buried dice exceeds 7, the player 'fumbles', losing all dice on their dog cards and all buried dice. Some trick tiles also offer special abilities, such as rerolling dice or gaining 'prizes' (bone tokens) that can be used to reroll dice later.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
When a player successfully fills all the spots on a dog card with dice, they score it. To score a dog card, the player removes all dice from it, flips the card over to its completed side, and places it in their scored pile. They then draw a new dog card from the deck to replace the one they just completed. This process allows players to continuously work towards their goal of completing six dogs.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes as soon as any player manages to complete their sixth dog card. That player immediately wins the game, regardless of the current state of other players' boards or the number of dice they have accumulated. This creates a tense race element, where players must balance completing their own dogs with potentially hindering opponents.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
A crucial tip for playing Spots is to manage your buried dice carefully. If the sum of your buried dice ever exceeds 7, you 'fumble', losing all dice on your current dog cards and all buried dice, which can be a significant setback. Utilize the trick tiles strategically; some tiles offer ways to mitigate risk or gain advantages, such as rerolling dice or manipulating dice values. Pay attention to the dog paw icons on some trick tiles, as these can enhance their effects based on the number of dog cards with paw prints you have in your play area. Also, remember that you can spend 'prizes' (bone tokens) to reroll all dice from your last roll, which can be a lifesaesaver when facing a potential fumble.
Q7How much does Spots cost?
Spots costs between 129 and 149 RON across Romanian stores.
Q8Where can I buy Spots cheapest?
The lowest price for Spots right now is 129 RON at Geekach. The Prices tab lists every store currently tracking it.
Q9How do you play Spots?
Spots is a animals game, for 1–4 players, taking ~25–30 minutes, featuring action drafting. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Spots — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Spots support?
Spots is played by 1–4 players.
8 shops
All prices
8 shops · sorted by priceupdated today
09
Regatul JocurilorEnglish edition 2024easyboxCultural voucher
Spots (English Edition)
last known price
○ out of stock
RON 139
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Price history
See price by edition
Price trend over the last 90 days: minimum 96 lei, maximum 139 lei, now 131 lei.
Mechanics & categories