Official Hive Pocket Rules

Last Updated on March 14, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Hive Pocket is a two-player abstract strategy game where players compete to surround the opponent’s queen bee while carefully maneuvering their insect-themed pieces. Each piece has unique movement rules, and the challenge is to think several moves ahead while blocking your opponent’s moves. Quick to learn yet deep in strategy, Hive Pocket offers fast-paced and engaging gameplay.

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How to Play Hive Pocket

Objective

The objective of Hive pocket is to surround your opponent’s Queen Bee with your own insect tiles or a mix of both players’ tiles. The first to complete the encirclement wins.

Number of Players: 2 players
Playing Time: 15-20 minutes

Components

  • 22 small insect tiles (11 white, 11 black), each with unique movement patterns: 3 Ants, 2 Spiders, 2 Beetles, 3 Grasshoppers, 1 Queen Bee, 1 Ladybug, and 1 Mosquito
  • Travel bag (optional)

Setup

  1. Choose Colors: Each player selects a color and takes 11 insect tiles of that color.
  2. Starting Player: Decide who goes first by flipping a coin, rolling a die, or agreeing on a start player.

Gameplay

Players take turns placing or moving insect tiles.

  1. First Turn (Optional): In some versions, the first player places their first tile in the center. This rule is optional.
  2. Tile Placement: On your turn, place one of your unplayed insect tiles face down.
    • It must touch at least one edge of another tile already on the board (diagonal touches are not allowed).
    • The first tile cannot be placed in the center (unless using the optional rule).
  3. Moving Tiles: After all tiles are placed, move one of your already placed tiles according to its movement pattern.
    • Slide: Queen Bee, Soldier Ant, Beetle—move any number of empty spaces in a straight line.
    • Scuttle: Grasshoppers move two spaces in a straight line, but must end adjacent to another tile.
    • Jump: Spiders can jump over one adjacent tile to an empty space.
  4. Movement Restrictions:
    • No tile may lift others or disconnect the board.
    • Tiles cannot move through other tiles.

Winning the Game

The first player to completely surround their opponent’s Queen Bee with their own or a combination of tiles wins. A Queen Bee is surrounded when no adjacent empty spaces remain.

Additional Notes

  • No Board: Hive Pocket uses tiles to form the playing area.
  • All Pieces in Play: No tiles are captured. All 22 tiles remain on the board.
  • Quick Setup and Gameplay: Hive Pocket is compact and easy to play anywhere.

Prepare for a strategic battle and see who controls the Queen Bee!

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