The Mind

Play your cards in ascending order without communicating. Timing is key!
co-op
Author

Keiran Suchak

Published

February 28, 2024

Theming: What’s the point?

Without talking or signalling, the group must play its numbered cards in ascending order. Success depends on shared timing rather than taking turns.

The communication rule

Do not say card values, show cards, make deliberate signals, or agree on timing systems. Natural reactions are unavoidable; the point is to judge the moment collectively.

Setting up: How to get started?

Build the level track

Use this setup for the number of players:

Players Levels Starting lives Starting throwing stars
2 12 2 1
3 10 3 1
4 8 4 1
  1. Place the required level cards in order and reveal level 1.
  2. Shuffle cards 1-100 and deal every player cards equal to the current level number.
  3. Players look only at their own cards. Take a moment of silence before anyone plays.

Rounds and Phases

Play a level

There is no turn order. Any player may place their lowest-feeling card face-up in the centre. Continue until every dealt card is in one ascending shared pile.

When a card is too high

If a player reveals a card while another player still holds a lower card:

  1. Lose one shared life.
  2. Every player discards all cards lower than the card just played.
  3. Continue the same level with the cards that remain.

Throwing stars and level rewards

At any agreed moment, a player may raise a hand to ask for a throwing star. If everyone agrees, spend one: every player discards their lowest hand card face-up. After completing a level, discard remaining used cards, reveal the next level, and award any life or star shown on that level card before dealing again.

Scoring

Win or lose together

The game has no points. Clear the final level to win. The instant the team loses its last life, the game ends in a shared loss. There is no tiebreak because the team has one result.

Terminology

Key terms

  • Level: a round with a specified number of cards per player.
  • Life: a shared error allowance.
  • Throwing star: a shared aid that discards everyone’s lowest card.
  • Shared pile: cards played in ascending order.

Official rules

The Mind official product page and rulebook link