Official Jinx Rules

Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Jinx is a fast-paced dice game of risk and strategy where players race to get three markers in a row on a shared grid. Each move is dictated by a roll of two dice, but watch out—repeat your own roll and you’ll lose everything!

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How to Play Jinx

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Players: 2–5
Recommended Age: 10+
Average Play Time: 30 minutes

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Game Overview

Jinx is a quick and engaging dice game where players compete to be the first to line up three of their markers on a grid-based board. Each turn is determined by a roll of two dice—one black and one white. These dice dictate the exact spot where a player can place their piece by intersecting the matching numbers on the grid.

Sounds easy, right? There’s a twist. If you roll a combination that you’ve already used earlier in the round, it’s called a JINX—and all your markers are wiped from the board! Risk and luck go hand in hand as you balance aggressive moves with strategic caution.

The objective is to win three rounds by lining up three of your pieces in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

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What’s in the Box

• Jinx Game Board
• 9 Game Markers per Player (in distinct colors)
• One Black Die
• One White Die
• Jinx Score Pad
• Pencil
• Official Rulebook

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Game Setup

1. Choose Colors: Each player selects a set of 9 matching markers.
2. Select Scorekeeper: One player is designated to keep track of wins on the score pad.
3. Determine First Player: Everyone rolls both dice. The highest total starts the game.

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Gameplay

The main play area is a grid surrounded by number guides matching the faces of the black and white dice. These guides show where each dice combination lands on the board.

On Your Turn:

1. Roll both the black and white dice.
2. Locate the point on the board where the black die’s number (horizontal) meets the white die’s number (vertical).
3. Place one of your markers on that square—unless one of the following happens:

Special Rules:

• JINX! If the square already has one of your markers on it, all your pieces are removed from the board. You’ll have to start over.
• Takeover: If the square is occupied by an opponent’s marker, remove their piece and place yours instead.
• If the square is empty, simply place your marker there.

Play continues clockwise.

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Running Out of Pieces

If you place all 9 of your markers without forming a line of three, remove all your pieces and begin again. Opponent markers stay put.

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Winning a Round

The first player to create a straight line of three markers—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—wins the round. That player marks one circle on the score sheet. Then, clear the board and start the next round with the previous winner going first.

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Winning the Game

The first player to win three rounds is declared the overall winner!

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Video Tutorial

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