How to Play Sequence if you hate rulebooks

This guide is designed to offer a quick and easy way to learn how to play Sequence, eliminating the hassle of sifting through rulebooks.
If you are looking for an overview of the game Sequence, click here to get a concise intro to the gameplay, game mechanics, a view of what makes it fun and who it will appeal to.

Setting Up Your Sequence Game

Players divide evenly into two or three teams. Team members are to alternate their physical positions every third player around the playing surface.

Dealer shuffles and deals cards

Choose a player to be dealer. Dealer shuffles and deals out the same number of cards to each player (see below). Team members use the same colour marker chips.

Table for Number of Cards Dealt to Each Player:
2 Players / 7 Cards Each
3 Players / 6 Cards Each
4 Players / 6 Cards Each
6 Players / 5 Cards Each
8 Players / 4 Cards Each
9 Players / 4 Cards Each
10 Players / 3 Cards Each
12 Players / 3 Cards Each

How to Play Sequence Rules Step by Step

• A Sequence: Connected series of five identical colored marker chips in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
• Objective:
  • For 2 players/teams: Score two sequences before opponents.
  • For 3 players/teams: Score one sequence before opponents.

Sequence Gameplay

• Player to dealer’s left begins play.
• Play continues in a clockwise direction.
• On your turn:Pick a card from your hand.
• Place it face up on your discard pile, visible to all players.
• Place your marker chip on the matching card on the game board.
• Each card is pictured twice on the board (Jacks are not on the board).
• You can only play on card spaces not covered by marker chips.
• Draw a new card from the Draw Deck.
• Your turn ends and moves to the next player.

Playing Two-Eyed Jacks

• 4 Two-Eyed Jacks in the deck.
• Two-Eyed Jacks are Wild cards.
• To play a Two-Eyed Jack:
  • Place it on your discard pile.
  • Place your marker chip on any open game board space.

Playing One-Eyed Jacks

• 4 One-Eyed Jacks in the deck.
• One-Eyed Jacks are Anti Wild Cards.
• To play a One-Eyed Jack:
  • Place it on your discard pile.
  • Remove one marker chip belonging to your opponent from the game board.
• Restrictions:
  • Cannot place your marker chips on the same space during this turn.
  • Cannot remove a marker chip that is part of a sequence.
  • Once a sequence is achieved, it cannot be broken.

Trade in a Dead Card

• If a card in your hand has no open space (both spaces on the board are occupied by marker chips), you can trade it in for a new card.
• On your turn:
  • Announce the Dead Card.
  • Place it on the discard pile.
  • Draw a new card (one card per turn).
  • Proceed to normal play for your turn.

Penalty for not taking a card

• Once you place a marker chip on the board, you must draw a card.
• If you fail to draw a card before the next player takes their card:
  • You are not allowed to draw a new card.
  • This puts you at a disadvantage.

Talking at the table

• No table talk or coaching of team members is allowed.
• If this happens:
  • All team members must forfeit one card of their choice from their hand.
  • Place the forfeited card in the discard pile.

No more cards left in Draw Deck

• shuffle together all discard piles to create a new deck.

Winning in Sequence

• A Sequence: Connected series of five identical colored marker chips in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) on the playing board.
• Objective: First team or player to score the required number of Sequences wins the game.
  • For 2 players/teams: Score two sequences before your opponents.
    • You may use any part of your first sequence as part of your second.
  • For 3 players/teams: Score one sequence before your opponents.

Sequence Rules FAQs

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