Ticking Lines
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Players: 2–6
Age: 9+
Time: 30 minutes
Scoring: Yes
Style: Line building and shedding
Before You Play
Ticking Lines is based on Commonness between TIC cards.
For this game, you need to understand:
Tic: Two cards have two properties in common.
A Tic group contains 3, 4 or 5 cards that all share the same two properties.
For example, a Tic group might contain several cards that are all:
- number 4 and stars,
- yellow and triangles,
- or number 2 and cyan.
The remaining third property may vary.
Refer to the TIC Card Principles page or the back of the TIC card box for more examples.
Objective
Build your own line of successive Tics while trying to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
The first player to get rid of all their cards ends the game.
However, that player does not automatically win.
At the end of the game, each player scores:
number of cards in their own line − number of cards left in their hand
The player with the highest score wins.
Setup
Deal each player a starting hand:
- 2 players: 15 cards each
- 3–4 players: 12 cards each
- 5–6 players: 10 cards each
Place the remaining deck face-down within reach of all players.
Then deal each player 1 additional card face-up.
Place this card on the table in front of that player.
This is the starting card of their personal line and is not part of their hand.
Each player will build their own line outward from this starting card. We recommend extending your line into the centre of the table so everyone can better see the end of the line as the game progresses.
Determine the first player by any agreed method. Play continues clockwise.
Your Line
Each player has one personal line.
Cards are added only to the open end of the line.
The line does not have to remain physically straight.
It may curve or zigzag around the table as necessary, as long as:
- the order of the cards remains clear, and
- everyone can easily identify the current end card.
A line may not branch.
Basic Play
On your turn, you normally play 1 card.
To play a card onto the end of your own line, the card must Tic with the current end card.
Place the new card at the end of your line.
Your turn then ends.
Playing Multiple Cards on Your Own Line
You may play more than 1 card during the same turn if the cards create a Tic group with the current end card of your line.
To do this, the current end card and all the cards you add must share the same two properties.
For example, suppose the end card of your line is:
3-star-orange
and you have:
1-star-orange
5-star-orange
You may play both cards during the same turn because all three cards share:
star + orange
Together they form a 3-card Tic group.
If you have additional cards that share those same two properties, you may play those as part of the same group as well.
All cards are added successively to the end of your line.
Playing on an Opponent’s Line
You may choose to play on an opponent’s line instead of your own.
You may add one card that creates a Tic, or more cards if your play creates or extends a Tic group at the end of that opponent’s line.
You may play:
- 1 card, or
- several cards
as long as every card added continues that same Tic group.
Playing on an opponent’s line helps them by making their line longer, but it may help you by getting cards out of your hand.
Cards you play onto an opponent’s line become part of their line, not yours.
Choosing Where to Play
On each turn, you choose between:
- extending your own line with a Tic,
- making a multi-card Tic-group play on your own line,
- or playing one or more cards onto an opponent’s line.
You may not play on more than one line during the same turn.
If You Cannot Play
If you have no legal play, draw 1 card from the face-down deck.
If the new card allows you to make a legal play, you must play it immediately.
If the draw creates an opportunity to make a legal multi-card Tic group together with cards already in your hand, you may make that play.
If you still cannot play, keep the drawn card and your turn ends.
Empty Draw Deck
If the face-down deck becomes exhausted, continue playing with the cards remaining in players’ hands.
Players who cannot make a legal play simply pass.
The game still ends as soon as one player gets rid of all the cards in their hand.
Ending the Game
The game ends immediately when the first player has no cards remaining in their hand.
That player has successfully gone out but this does not automatically determine the winner.
Scoring
Count the number of cards in your personal line, including your original starting card.
Then subtract the number of cards still remaining in your hand.
Score = cards in your line − cards remaining in your hand
Example
A player has:
- 18 cards in their line
- 3 cards remaining in their hand
Their final score is:
18 − 3 = 15 points
Another player may have gone out first and have:
- 14 cards in their line
- 0 cards remaining
Their score is:
14 − 0 = 14 points
In this example, the player with 15 points wins even though the other player was the first to go out.
The player with the highest final score wins.
Strategy Tips
Build Your Own Line
Every card added to your own line increases your eventual score.
Whenever possible, concentrate on extending your own line rather than helping someone else.
Look for Tic Groups
A multi-card play can quickly lengthen your line and reduce your hand at the same time.
Watch for several cards that share the same two properties with your current end card.
Sometimes Helping an Opponent Is Worth It
Playing onto an opponent’s line increases their score, but it may allow you to get rid of several difficult cards.
If you are close to going out, helping an opponent may still be the better move.
Watch the Ends of Every Line
An opponent’s last card may create an opportunity for you to unload one or several cards.
Going Out Is Not Everything
The first player to empty their hand ends the game, but the longest effective line wins.
Sometimes continuing to grow your own line is more valuable than simply getting rid of cards as quickly as possible.
