Last Updated on August 8, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team
Sequence is a fun and easy-to-learn card and board game that combines strategy and a little bit of luck. Players take turns playing numbered cards from their hand and placing chips on matching spaces on the game board. The goal is to create two sequences of five chips in a row. It’s a game that’s perfect for families and friends, offering a mix of strategic planning and exciting moments as you try to outsmart your opponents and secure your victory!
Enjoy Sequence? Try Sequence For Kids or Sequence Stacks!
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How to Play Sequence
Objective
Form a connected row of five chips of your team’s color—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—on the board to create a Sequence.
- Corner Spaces: Each corner of the board is a printed wild chip. All players may use these corners as part of a Sequence. Only four additional chips are needed when using a corner space.
- Multiple players or teams may share corner spaces in their Sequences.
Players & Teams
- 2 to 12 players can play.
- For teams: split evenly into 2 or 3 teams.
- No more than 3 teams can participate.
Game Components
- 1 Game Board
- 104 Sequence Cards (no Jokers)
- 50 Blue Chips
- 50 Green Chips
- 35 Red Chips (only used in 3-team games)
Setup
- Lay the game board on a flat surface.
- Separate teams evenly:
- In 2-team games, teammates should alternate positions around the table.
- In 3-team games, teammates should sit in every third seat.
- Shuffle the deck. Players cut cards; the lowest card deals (Aces are high).
- Deal each player the appropriate number of cards:
| Number of Players | Cards per Player |
|---|---|
| 2 | 7 cards |
| 3 | 6 cards |
| 4 | 6 cards |
| 6 | 5 cards |
| 8 | 4 cards |
| 9 | 4 cards |
| 10 | 3 cards |
| 12 | 3 cards |
- Each team uses the same color chips.
- Only blue and green chips are used in 2-player/team games. Red chips are added in 3-team games.
- Joker cards are not used.
Sequence Gameplay
- Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer and proceeds clockwise.
- On your turn:
- Choose a card from your hand.
- Place it face-up on your personal discard pile.
- Place one of your chips on a matching space on the board (each card appears twice on the board).
- You may play on either space for that card if it’s open.
- Once placed, chips cannot be removed—except with a one-eyed Jack.
- End your turn by drawing a new card from the draw pile.
Special Cards: The Jacks
- Two-Eyed Jacks (wild): Place a chip on any open space on the board.
- One-Eyed Jacks (remove): Remove one opponent’s chip from the board (unless it’s part of a completed Sequence). You may not place a chip that turn.
You can use Jacks strategically at any time on your turn.
Dead Cards
If both matching spaces for a card are occupied, you’re holding a Dead Card.
- On your turn, discard it and say “Dead Card.”
- Draw a replacement card.
- Then take your normal turn.
Missed Draw Rule
If you forget to draw a card at the end of your turn and the next player draws theirs, you lose your chance to draw and must finish the game with fewer cards.
No Table Talk
No coaching or hinting allowed.
- If a teammate says anything inappropriate, every member of that team must discard one card of their choice.
Draw Pile Runs Out
If the draw deck is depleted, shuffle all players’ discard piles together to create a new draw deck.
Continuing Play
Play continues clockwise until one team or player reaches the required number of Sequences.
- In games requiring two Sequences, spaces from the first Sequence may be reused in the second.
Winning the Game
- 2 players or 2 teams: The first to complete two Sequences wins.
- 3 players or 3 teams: The first to complete one Sequence wins.
Sequence is a game of strategy, planning, and teamwork. Form your rows, block your opponents, and claim victory by completing your Sequences first!
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