Two Stacks (2018) Board Game

Two Stacks is a card game released in 2018 by designers Chris Helgerson and Jose Ocando. It is a cooperative game that involves open drafting and pattern recognition. The game is designed for 1-4 players, with a recommended age of 8 and up.

Game Components of Two Stacks

60 playing cards numbered 1-12, with two red and two blue versions of each number

4 role cards

Rule pamphlet and 2 rule cards

Bridge cards and Special cards

Waterproof, durable, and bendable cards

How To Setup Two Stacks

To set up Two Stacks, start by selecting a difficulty level, which determines the number of Bridge cards included in the deck. The difficulty levels range from Beginner to Expert, with the number of Bridge cards decreasing as the difficulty increases. Deal 4 face-up cards to each player, along with a role card. Two starting cards are laid out on the table to form the two stacks.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Players must work together to play all their cards onto two stacks.

Card Play: Players can play cards one higher or lower than the existing card on the stack. Cards numbered 1 and 12 are considered adjacent.

Role Cards: Each player has a role card that dictates how they can play cards (e.g., same color, alternating colors, always higher, always lower).

Special Cards: Allow playing any odd card on an even Special or any even card on an odd Special.

Bridge Cards: Enable skipping numbers; for example, a Bridge on a 10 allows playing an 8 or a 12.

Turn Structure: Each turn consists of drawing cards up to a hand limit of 7, playing as many cards as possible, and passing one card to another player if a card was played.

Game End: The game is won if all players clear their hands simultaneously; it is lost if all players are stuck and cannot make a move.

Player Experience

Playing Two Stacks is a collaborative puzzle-solving experience that requires strategic communication and planning. The game scales in difficulty with the number of players and the number of Bridge cards included. With two players, the game is more manageable and allows for equal participation, while with four players, the game demands more complex planning and coordination. The excitement comes from figuring out the right sequence of cards to play and the satisfaction of clearing everyone’s hand.

Pros

Adjustable Difficulty: The game allows for varying difficulty levels by adjusting the number of Bridge cards.

Cooperative Strategy: Encourages teamwork and strategic thinking.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last about 15 minutes.

Simple Rules: Easy to learn and understand, making it accessible to both children and adults.

Cons

High Luck Factor: The game can be heavily influenced by the cards drawn, leading to unpredictable outcomes.

Quarterbacking: There is a risk of one player dictating moves to others, especially since all hands are face-up.

Limited Roles: The two-player game is restricted to using only the Same Color and Alternating roles.

Personal Thoughts on Two Stacks

Two Stacks is an excellent choice for those looking for a cooperative card game that is easy to learn but challenging to master. It is particularly suited for families, casual gamers, and as an introduction to cooperative gameplay. While it may be too light for experienced gamers, it offers a fun and engaging experience that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players. The adjustable difficulty levels make it versatile, allowing it to cater to different skill levels and player preferences.

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