Playing Flip is a fast-paced, strategic card game for two players, designed by James Ernest, where the goal is to outmaneuver your opponent by playing cards, manipulating values, and ultimately reducing their score to zero.
How Do You Play Flip?
Flip is a clever, tactical card game where players compete to score points and deplete their opponent's hand or score pile. It typically involves a deck of numbered cards and a core mechanic of "flipping" cards to change their values or abilities during gameplay.
Game Components
A typical game of Flip requires:
- A Deck of Cards: Usually 18-36 cards, often featuring numerical values (e.g., 1-6) and sometimes special abilities. Some cards might have two sides, representing different values or effects.
- Score Markers: Though not always physical, players track their "score" or remaining cards, which typically starts at a set number (e.g., 5 or 10).
Setup for a Game of Flip
Setting up Flip is quick and straightforward:
- Shuffle the Deck: Thoroughly shuffle the entire deck of Flip cards.
- Deal Hands: Each player is dealt a specific number of cards, usually 3-5, to form their starting hand.
- Establish Score: Players determine their starting "score" or remaining "life" based on the specific variant being played. This is often represented by a small stack of cards or a designated counter.
- Determine First Player: Decide who goes first (e.g., coin flip, youngest player, rock-paper-scissors).
Gameplay Overview
Players take turns performing actions until a winner is determined. A turn generally involves playing a card, resolving its effects, and potentially drawing a new card.
Key Game Mechanics
- Playing Cards: On your turn, you select a card from your hand and play it face-up onto the table. The card's value or ability immediately takes effect.
- Attacking and Defending: Many cards are used to "attack" your opponent's score or to "defend" against incoming attacks. The numerical values on cards typically dictate the strength of these actions.
- Flipping Cards: The "flip" mechanic is central to the game. This can refer to:
- Card Orientation: Cards might have two sides, and playing them "flipped" means using their alternate value or ability.
- Value Modification: Certain card effects or game conditions can cause a card's value to "flip" or change to a different number.
- Strategic Choices: Players often face choices about which cards to acquire or manipulate. For example, if multiple cards are available for selection, you might be able to choose a card with a value of '2' or another with a value of '4'. However, the rules often prevent you from taking both simultaneously. Instead, you'll need to make a deliberate choice, perhaps deciding to pick up the two based on your current strategy or the immediate needs of the game.
Turn Sequence
While variants exist, a typical turn might look like this:
- Play a Card: Choose a card from your hand and play it.
- Resolve Effects: Apply the card's action (e.g., deal damage, draw cards, flip an opponent's card).
- Discard/Collect: The played card might go into a discard pile, or remain in play, depending on its effect.
- Draw a Card: If your hand size is below a certain limit, you might draw a new card from the deck to replenish your hand.
Winning the Game
The objective of Flip is generally to reduce your opponent's "score" (or number of remaining cards) to zero before they can do the same to you. This is typically achieved by successfully attacking them with cards that deal damage or force them to discard.
Strategic Tips for Flip
- Understand Card Synergies: Learn how different cards interact to create powerful combinations.
- Manage Your Hand: Keep an eye on your hand size and ensure you have options for both offense and defense.
- Observe Your Opponent: Pay attention to the cards your opponent plays and their likely strategies.
- Timing is Key: Knowing when to play a powerful attack versus when to conserve cards can be crucial.
For more detailed rules and specific card interactions, it's always best to consult the official rulebook or a comprehensive guide for Flip by James Ernest, such as those found on BoardGameGeek.
Quick Reference Guide: Flip Card Game
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Players | 2 |
| Objective | Reduce your opponent's score to zero. |
| Components | A deck of numbered cards (often with two sides), score markers (optional). |
| Setup | Shuffle deck, deal hands (e.g., 3-5 cards), establish starting score. |
| Gameplay | Players take turns playing cards from hand. Cards have numerical values and effects for attacking or defending. Decisions involve choosing which cards to interact with, like picking a '2' or a '4', but not both. |
| Core Mechanic | Flipping: Cards may change value or ability, or refer to strategic choices like deciding between two available cards (e.g., "you could take the two or the four... you're going to pick up. The two" implies a choice between individual card values, not combinations). |
| Winning | First player to reduce opponent's score to zero. |
| Strategy | Hand management, understanding card synergies, observing opponent's moves, tactical timing of plays. |
