Last Updated on June 24, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Triples by Dad Bomb Games is a fast-paced, family-friendly card game designed for 2 to 10 players. The objective is to be the first to play all your cards by creating “triples”—sets of three cards that share the same color, shape, or number.

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How to Play Triples

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THE CARDS

There are 125 cards in the deck. Each card has:

• A color
• A shape
• A number

Players play cards to make sets of three:

• 3 cards of the same color
• 3 cards of the same shape
• 3 cards of the same number

Additionally, some cards have a “Draw 2” on them. These will be discussed later.

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OBJECTIVE

To have the lowest score at the end of three rounds. A round ends when a player has played all of their cards.
Each player’s score is determined by the cards remaining in their hand.
At the end of the third round, the player with the lowest total score is the winner.

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SETUP

1. Each player draws a card. The player with the highest number becomes the dealer.
   • In case of a tie, tied players draw again until a winner is determined.
2. The dealer shuffles the deck and deals:
   • 2–6 players: 8 cards each
   • 7–10 players: 6 cards each
3. The dealer places the remaining cards in the center as the draw pile.
4. The dealer turns over the top card to start the game.
   • If it’s a Draw 2, the first player draws 2 cards and skips their turn.

Note: In Triples, there is only one shared play area for all players.

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GETTING STARTED

• The first player must play 2 cards from their hand to form a triple with the starter card in the play area.
• If unable to form a triple, they draw a card and their turn ends.

Examples of valid triples:

• 3 cards with the same color (e.g., triple blues)
• 3 cards with the same shape (e.g., triple hearts)
• 3 cards with the same number (e.g., triple threes)

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CONTINUING PLAY

On your turn, choose one:

1. Make a triple by adding 1 card from your hand to the play area.
2. Make a triple by adding 2 cards from your hand.
3. Draw a card.

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DRAW 2 CARDS

• Some cards are labeled “Draw 2”.
• When played:
  • The next player must draw 2 cards and skip their turn.
  • If two Draw 2 cards are played, the next player must draw 4 cards.

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DOUBLE TRIPLES

• A double triple occurs when a played card set completes two matching triple types (e.g., same shape and same number).
• When a double triple is made:
  • The player must announce it.
  • The player chooses any one opponent to draw 2 cards.
  • That opponent does not skip their turn.

Example scenarios:

• Matching color and shape: triple hearts and triple blues
• Matching color and number: triple blues and triple threes
• Matching shape and number: triple hearts and triple threes

If a player makes a double triple with a Draw 2, the penalties stack:

• The next player draws 2 cards for the Draw 2
• Another player (possibly the same one) draws 2 more cards for the double triple
• With two Draw 2s and a double triple, the next player draws 4 cards, and another player draws 2 more!

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ENDING A ROUND / SCORING

When any player plays all their cards:

1. The round ends.
2. Other players score points for remaining cards:

Card Type	Score
Draw 2 cards	10 points
Number cards	Face value (1–5)

3. Shuffle the deck and deal a new round to the left of the last dealer.

In small games, you may skip shuffling and deal from the remaining draw pile.

If the draw pile runs out:

• Leave the top 3 cards of the play area.
• Shuffle all other play area cards to form a new draw pile.

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WINNING

The player with the lowest score after three rounds wins.

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CHILL MODE

Skip the scorekeeping! Just play for fun:

Play as many rounds as you want!

Whoever goes out first wins the round.