Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

The Game is a cooperative card game where players work together to play cards in ascending or descending order without communicating directly. The objective is to successfully place all cards in four stacks, with players facing the challenge of managing limited information and collaborating effectively. It’s a strategic game that requires careful planning and cooperation to avoid making mistakes.

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How to Play The Game

Objective: Play all 98 number cards onto the four foundation piles.
Players: 1–5

Introduction

The Game is an award-winning cooperative card game designed for 1–5 players, published by Pandasaurus Games in 2015. Players must work together to place as many cards as possible onto the foundation piles, following ascending or descending sequences. Communication is restricted, so teamwork relies on hints and strategic planning rather than sharing exact card values. Whether playing solo or with a full group, The Game offers a challenging puzzle that requires careful cooperation.

Components

4 Foundation Cards: Two starting with 1 and two starting with 100.
98 Number Cards: Numbered 2–99.

At the beginning of the game, the 1s and 100s are placed on the table to form the foundation piles.

An angled, close-up shot of the card game "The Game" by Pandasaurus Games, set against a white background. The game's vibrant red box stands upright in the back, featuring abstract, colorful illustrations and the text "THE GAME" in large, stylized font. Below the title, it reads "Are you ready to play?".

In the foreground, the game's components are laid out. To the left is a thick stack of cards with a single card on top displaying a large "1" and several circles. To the right is another stack of cards with the top card showing a large "50". Between the two stacks, a few cards are fanned out, one showing a large "40" with fish icons and another showing a large "70" with abstract plant or flame-like icons. A single black card with a floral design and the title "THE GAME" sits in the center foreground.

Setup

Place the two 1 cards at the top and the two 100 cards at the bottom. Each card will form the base of a foundation pile.
- Piles next to a 1 build upward in ascending order.
- Piles next to a 100 build downward in descending order.
Shuffle the 98 number cards. Deal cards to each player depending on the number of players:
- 1 player: 8 cards
- 2 players: 7 cards each
- 3–5 players: 6 cards each
Place the remaining deck face down as a draw pile.

Gameplay

Communication Rules

Players may talk about their hands in general terms but cannot mention specific numbers. For example, saying “Don’t play on the first pile” is allowed, but “I have a 47” is not.

Turn Order

Players decide who will start. Turns proceed clockwise around the table.

Taking a Turn

On each turn, a player must:

Play at least 2 cards from their hand onto any of the foundation piles (unless the draw pile is empty, in which case only 1 card is required).
Cards played must follow the order rules:
- Ascending Piles (starting at 1): Each new card must be higher than the previous card.
- Descending Piles (starting at 100): Each new card must be lower than the previous card.

Players may play more than the minimum required if possible.

If a player cannot legally play the minimum number of cards, the game ends immediately.

The Backwards Trick

A special rule allows players to “jump backwards” by 10, which resets the pile slightly:

On an ascending pile, you may play a card exactly 10 lower than the current top card.
On a descending pile, you may play a card exactly 10 higher than the current top card.

This rule can be a lifesaver, allowing more flexibility in tough situations.

Drawing Cards

After playing their cards, players draw back up to their starting hand size (if the draw pile still has cards).

An overhead shot shows four people playing "The Game" card game on a wooden table. A pair of adult hands at the top of the frame holds a fan of cards. A child's hands at the bottom of the frame hold a small stack of cards. Two other players, one on the left and one on the right, are visible by their arms and hands, each holding a few cards.

Cards are laid out in four rows on the table between the players. Each row has a card with a small arrow on it, pointing up or down. A few cards are stacked on top of each other in the two middle rows. In the top row, a pile of cards in a hand is visible, with the top card showing the number 84. A card in the second row is numbered 100. A card in the third row is numbered 1. A card in the fourth row is numbered 22.

End of the Game

The game ends when:

A player cannot play the required number of cards on their turn.
Or all 98 number cards are successfully played (the players win).

If one player empties their hand but others still have cards, play continues until either the team wins or no legal moves remain.

Scoring

Winning by playing all 98 cards is the ultimate goal.
Ending with 10 or fewer cards remaining in all players’ hands is considered a strong performance, even if you don’t finish completely.

Winning The Game

The team wins if every number card is placed onto the piles.

FAQ

How many players can play The Game?

t supports 1–5 players. You can play solo, or cooperatively with up to five people.

What is the goal of The Game?

The goal is to work together to play all 98 number cards onto the four foundation piles in the correct ascending or descending order.

How does communication work in The Game?

Players may give general hints like “don’t play here” or “I have good cards for that pile,” but they cannot say exact numbers.

What is the “Backwards Trick”?

The Backwards Trick allows you to play a card that is exactly 10 lower (on ascending piles) or 10 higher (on descending piles) than the top card. This resets the pile slightly and opens up new options.

How many cards must I play each turn?

Normally, you must play at least 2 cards per turn. Once the draw pile is empty, you only need to play 1 card per turn.

Can I play multiple cards in one turn?

Yes. Players may play as many cards as they want on their turn, as long as they follow the ascending/descending order rules.

When does the game end?

The game ends if a player cannot play the minimum number of required cards, or if all 98 cards are successfully played (which means the players win).

How do you win The Game?

The team wins by playing all 98 number cards. Ending the game with 10 or fewer cards left is considered a strong effort, even if you don’t fully complete it.

Strategy Tips:

Communicate: Work with your fellow players to strategize about which cards to play and when.
Backward Jumps: Utilize the backward jump rule to create opportunities for future plays.
Card Management: Keep an eye on the cards in your hand and try to maintain a balance of low and high cards for flexibility.

Notes/Variations

Solo Play: The game can also be played solo, following the same rules and objectives.
Advanced Rules: Try playing with a rule that requires playing exactly two cards per turn, even after the deck is exhausted.

The Game is a simple yet challenging game that encourages teamwork and strategic thinking.