Qwixx

Qwixx is a simple, fun and – as its name implies – quick luck-based dice game. While it is far from the most strategic game available it is a lovely, small, cheap and cheerful addition to any gamer’s or non-gamer’s collection. Perfect for a holiday trip, visit from some non-gaming friends and family, or for that occasion where you really do mean just a quick one.

Qwixx manages to balance a sense of agency over the game for every player with the luck of each throw of the dice. No-one is left behind or bored during the game with every turn allowing payers to do something, leading to victor for one lucky dice-man in a game which rarely extends beyond 15 minutes.

How To Play

The game is a relatively simple one, which will be picked up easily by non-gamers and gamers alike.

Each player is given an identical paper score sheet which they have the potential to score upon both within their own turn and the turns of their opponents. On these score sheets lie four horizontal colour coded columns. On red and yellow, the top two columns, lies a series of numbers increasing in size from 2 to 12, on green and blue, the bottom two columns, lies a series of numbers decreasing in size from 12 to 2. At the end of every column is a lock symbol.

Players then take it in turns to throw six dice, two ‘regular’ black and white dice, and four coloured dice: one red, one yellow, one green and one blue. Every time a player rolls the dice they must place a cross upon their score sheet corresponding to the dice they just rolled. They may cross out the number on any one column of the combined number of the white dice; and following this/or instead of this take the combined number of one white dice and one coloured dice and cross it out in the corresponding coloured column; or finally they may take none of the numbers and place a cross in one of their four misthrow boxes – typically this happens when a player simply cannot take any of the numbers the dice make. Simultaneously the non-dice-throwing players may choose to take the combination of the white dice only. Once the turn is complete the dice and passed on and play begins again.

The game can end two ways: the first is when one player fills all their misthrow boxes, the second when two columns have been locked. The locking of the column occurs when a player crosses out the final number of a column who already has at least five crosses already within that column. Once a column has been locked the die of that colour is taken out of the game entirely and play continues. Once two dice have been taken out of the game/two columns have been locked the game ends. Points are then calculated based on the number of crosses within a column, including the crossed out locks, with a points increaser which favours as many crosses in the same column as possible.

Now the twist in this simple format is that once a number has been taken in a column, no numbers to the left of that number in the line can ever be taken. For example in the ascending red/yellow columns if a player crossed out the number 5 and rolled a 2, 3, 4 in their next turn they would not be able to work backwards and cross out those numbers. Similarly in the descending green/blue columns if a player crossed out a 8 and rolled a 9, 10, 11, 12 they would not be able to take those numbers.

Thus a player must choose wisely how many numbers they skip when crossing out so they don’t force themselves into a misthrow, whilst at the same time making sure to accumulate as many crosses as possible in the game.

Though these rules perhaps sound a little complex, you’ll be bound to pick up Qwixx in a matter of minutes, and you’ll be able to teach it to anyone – even those friends or family members who you can see your losing as soon as a rule book or even a game box comes out.

A Good Little Game That Asks ‘Why Not Throw The Dice?’

While if challenge alone is what you’re after Qwixx is probably not the game for you, but the simplicity of the game does not diminish the reward of Qwixx. Despite being heavily luck-based the element of choosing how to balance risk and reward makes every win or lose feel entirely of your own volition and tactics. Maybe this game you took too many numbers further on in the sheet too fast and lost on misthrows, or perhaps you were too reserved and didn’t make enough crosses before the end of the game. Sometimes this game favours boldness, sometimes it favours reserve. But in every game of Qwixx you will feel like it was more than just luck of the dice which brought you victory or defeat.

Qwixx is a great family game, perfect for playing with older children, elderly adults or anyone less experienced or inclined towards longer strategic games. But with something to do each turn, and an ability to increase your score and apply some tactics each game (as long as you’re a little lucky), it is far from boring for more experienced gamers. The game lacks any real player interaction, and it is very difficult for someone to scupper fellow players beyond choosing to lock or not-lock a column, but the act of rolling the dice can still bring a feeling of helping or hindering the players around you even if it is entirely luck-based.

Overall Qwixx is a great game for a relaxed night, or to cool down after a long board game has been played. It is perfect for the holidays when an older aunt drops by who has never played anything except monopoly or when you want to play a new game with children that can keep everyone engaged.

If you’re looking for a fun, short and re-playable game and love the luck of dice then I can certainly recommend Qwixx.