# Piles! A Fast-Paced Free-For-All ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2023 - **BGG Rating**: 6.8 - **BGG Rank**: #6619 - **Players**: 2-8 (Best with: 5, 6) - **Duration**: 10 min - **Weight**: 1.00 / 5 - **Designers**: KC Schrimpl - **Artists**: Alexandr Nikiforov - **Publishers**: Lost Boy Entertainment, asmodee, Gémklub, Well Designed Game - **Categories**: Card Game, Children's Game - **Mechanics**: Matching, Set Collection, Speed Matching ## Verdict Fans of fast‑paced card games will love Piles, and anyone looking for a quick, chaotic fun will enjoy its frantic rhythm.Speedy and addictiveGreat for family playNo turns, continuous actionCompact componentsRequires constant focusNot ideal for large groupsMay be chaotic for very young kidsHIGHLY RECOMMENDED ## Description Piles! A Fast‑Paced Free‑For‑All is the kind of card game that turns into a whirlwind in just a few minutes, and you’ll still not realize the time has flown. It was designed for kids and families, but the speed and chaos make even adults laugh along. Each player starts with a 32‑card deck, featuring four different colors and eight pieces of each color, representing clothes of cartoon characters. The goal? Be the first to stack six piles of four identical cards. You do this by swapping cards with the common discard pile while everyone else does the same at the same time. No turns; the action happens in real time, so whoever is faster and more attentive wins. The game is easy to learn: just grab the closest card and try to match it with the one in the discard pile. If you succeed, you place the card on your pile and draw another from your deck. If not, just leave the card in the discard pile and pick another. The round ends when someone completes the six piles, or when all decks run out, in which case the winner is the one with the most complete piles. The “Matching” and “Speed Matching” mechanics create a frenzy of reflexes that makes the game as addictive as a classic “Speed” showdown. The average playtime hovers around 10 minutes, making it perfect for parties, road trips, or as a quick break between other activities. The set comes in a compact box, with four decks of cards, eight pieces of each color, and a well‑illustrated rule sheet. If you enjoy card games that demand speed, focus, and a dash of luck, Piles is the right pick. Plus, the digital version on Board Game Arena lets you play online with friends or random opponents, keeping the same adrenaline as the physical version. ## How to Play Game Objective In Piles! A Fast-Paced Free-For-All, you and your friends become fashion designers in a frantic race to create clothing collections. The goal is to be the first to arrange all your piles into complete sets of four identical cards. Speed, memory, and reaction time are essential to emerge victorious from this chaotic competition! Setup To set up a game of Piles!, follow these steps: Players should sit in a circle. Build the deck based on the number of players. Take the required number of sets (a set consists of four cards with the same clothing item but different colors) and return the remaining cards to the box. Shuffle the built deck thoroughly. Each player receives six piles of four cards, face down. Players may not look at their cards at this time. Position each player's piles in a horizontal line in front of them. Players may rearrange their piles if they do not have enough space. The four remaining cards from the deck are placed face down in a line in the center of the table. These cards should be within reach of all players. Gameplay Flow Piles! is a turn-less race. All players act simultaneously. The game begins when the four center cards are revealed. Count to three and flip the center cards face up at the same time. Once the center cards are visible, players can begin playing and looking at their own piles. The center cards may become disorganized during play due to its fast-paced nature. This is acceptable as long as they remain accessible to everyone and are not covered. Actions and How to Play The main objective is to turn all six of your piles into complete sets. You will do this by trading cards from your piles with the center cards. Cards can only be moved in the following ways: You may only hold one pile at a time. You may only trade your cards with the center cards. You may pick up your piles in any order. You cannot trade cards between your own piles. You may rearrange the order of your piles. You cannot steal cards from other players. You must discard a card to the center before picking up a card from the center. You may pick up a card you previously discarded from the center. Piles you are not holding must always contain four cards and remain face down until they form a set. When you form a complete set, place that pile face up. You may only trade one card at a time. You must discard the card face up. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when a player declares victory by shouting "PILES!". This happens when all six of their piles are face up, indicating they are all complete sets. After the declaration, the winner's piles must be checked to ensure they all contain complete sets. If a mistake is found, the game must continue. Refer to the manual for details on this section. Tips for Winning Pay close attention when creating sets, as some clothing items may look similar to trick you. Remember that you can pick up a card you previously discarded from the center, which can be useful for completing a set. ## FAQ ### How many players can play? Between 2 and 8 players, perfect for small to medium groups. ### How long does a game last? An average game takes about 10 minutes, ideal for quick sessions. ### Is the game difficult? No, the mechanics are simple and easy to learn, though speed demands focus. ### What are the components? Four 32‑card decks, eight pieces of each color (32 pieces total), and a illustrated rule sheet. ### Who is it for? Great for kids, families, and anyone who enjoys fast, chaotic card games. ### Is there a digital version? Yes, there is an online version on Board Game Arena, letting you play against friends or random opponents. ### Where can I buy it? Available at toy stores, game sites, and the LongPack Games website. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 14.79 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6196037&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.94 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5361983&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 17.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6093989&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.18 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6294987&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.76 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5742147&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.76 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6154971&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 20.35 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6139007&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 20.47 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6638001&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.55 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6182019&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 21.55 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6358369&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/74927/piles?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com