# Snarkas ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2023 - **BGG Rating**: 6.6 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 - **Duration**: 15-30 min - **Weight**: — - **Designers**: Bryan Wilson, Sara Farber, William Sakran - **Artists**: ST8MNT - **Publishers**: Hootenanny Games - **Categories**: Card Game - **Mechanics**: End Game Bonuses, Hand Management, Matching ## Verdict Snarkas is a quick and straightforward card game, perfect for those who enjoy pulling off combos and yelling "SNARKAS!". If you like 'fishing' mechanics and want something to play in a jiffy, dive in!Satisfying card collectionFast and dynamic paceExciting "SNARKAS" bonusEasy to learnMay lack depthLuck plays a big roleInteraction can be limitedFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Get ready for an intergalactic jewel rush in Snarkas! This fast-paced and competitive card game has a simple goal: be the first to collect 50 gems. Each player starts with a hand of cards, and four cards are dealt face-up on the table, ready to be claimed. On your turn, you play a card from your hand. This card can either be added to the table, increasing the options for everyone, or used to collect cards already there. Collection works through matching or adding, reminiscent of 'fishing' mechanics in other games. The numbered cards from 1 to 10 are crucial, but watch out for the Asters and Jolts robots, which can change the game! And if the table gets crowded, ZAP cards come into play to clear everything. Some cards are worth extra gems, but the real treasure is shouting "SNARKAS!" when you clear the table with a non-ZAP card – this move earns you the Snarkas gem, worth 10 points! It's a game that requires quick thinking, good hand management, and keeping an eye on scoring opportunities, both from the cards and the special bonus. Perfect for those who enjoy a dynamic card duel with a space-themed twist. ## How to Play Game Objective In Snarkas, players battle to collect cards and earn the most gems. The game takes place in the Snarkaverse, where precious gems have been scattered after the Great Sneezle Uprising. These gems are the only way out of exile. Players will use cunning strategies to blast their way to victory with ZAP! and come out on top with SNARKAS!. Setup Place all Snarkas Gems and bonus scoring cards together and set them aside. Choose a dealer to shuffle and deal the game cards. Cards are dealt face down as follows: Two-player game: Deal 6 game cards to each player. Three-player game: Deal 4 game cards to each player. Four-player game: Deal 6 game cards to each player, and players seated across from each other play as partners. To start the game, the dealer turns over the top four cards from the deck of game cards face up on the table. This is called “the Flop”. Note: No ZAP cards can be in the Flop. If there are any ZAP cards in the Flop, randomly place them back into the deck and replace any ZAP with a game card from the top of the deck. The remainder of the game cards are set aside for future hands. Game Flow The player to the left of the dealer starts. On your turn, you must play one card from your hand. The card you play is either added to the table with the Flop, or your card allows you to collect cards from the Flop. Once all players have played all the cards from their hands, the dealer deals out a new hand of cards to each player again (6 cards for 2- or 4-player games, or 4 cards for 3-player games). The dealer does not put out a new Flop, even if the table is empty after the previous hand. The game continues until there are no more game cards in the deck and all game cards have been played. At that point, any remaining game cards on the table go to the last player who collected any game cards. Actions and How to Play Playing a Card On your turn, you must play one card from your hand. You can only play one card from your hand per turn. Collecting Cards You can collect cards by matching a card from your hand with the card(s) on the table. You can also collect combinations of cards from the table that add up to the number of the card you played from your hand. The collecting-by-addition tactic only works one way: you can play one card from your hand that matches the combined value of multiple cards on the table, but you cannot play multiple cards from your hand that add up to the value of one card on the table. Example: Play a 5 card from your hand to match the two 5 cards on the table. Move all three 5 cards to your collected pile. Example: Play a 2 card from your hand to match the 2 card on the table. Move both the 2 card you played and the 2 card from the table to your collected pile. Example: Play a 10 card from your hand, and you clear all the cards from the table and earn a Snarkas Gem! The 10 in your hand matches the 10 on the table, so you take the 10. You take the other cards too, because 7 + 3 = 10 and 6 + 4 = 10. Special Cards and Plays ZAP Cards: These are the most powerful cards. When a ZAP card is played, you clear the table and collect ALL the cards on the table. Using a ZAP card to clear the table does not earn a Snarkas Gem. After a ZAP card is played, the next player must play a game card onto the empty table (which often leads to a SNARKAS!). If you play a ZAP card onto an empty table because someone before you cleared the table, your ZAP remains on the table until another ZAP is played. If another ZAP is played to clear the table, this play does not earn a Snarkas Gem. The Snarkas Play: When you collect all the cards on the table WITHOUT using a ZAP card, shout “SNARKAS!”. You earn a Snarkas Gem, which is worth 10 gems! Take a Snarkas Gem and place it next to your collected pile of game cards. This is the biggest gem-earning play in the game! Aster and Jolt Cards: Asters and Jolts are the two lost robot squads of the Snarkaverse. There are four Aster cards and four Jolt cards in the deck. These cards have no numerical value. You can collect Aster cards with Aster cards and Jolt cards with Jolt cards. By themselves, these cards do not count toward your gem total, but if you collect all four Asters or all four Jolts, you earn extra gems. End of Game and Scoring The game ends after one or more rounds of play, when the first player or team to earn 50 gems wins. If you want a longer game, you can choose a different goal than 50 gems, such as 75, 100, or even 150 gems. After all the game cards in the deck have been played and a round ends, all players count their cards and gems to determine their scores. Scoring Count your collected game cards (not including any Snarkas Gems or bonus scoring cards). Bonus scoring cards are awarded as follows: If you (or your team) collected the most game cards, you earn the Most Cards Bonus Card, worth 3 gems. If there is a tie, no one receives this card. If you (or your team) captured all four Asters, you earn the Aster Bonus Card, worth 4 gems. If you (or your team) captured all four Jolts, you earn the Jolt Bonus Card, worth 4 gems. Count all the gems you (or your team) collected. This includes any colored gems represented on ZAP cards and some of the numbered game cards, along with any Snarkas Gems and bonus scoring cards. Players count their cards and their gems and write down their score. If no player (or team) has 50 or more gems at the end of the round, another round is played. The game continues until one player (or team) has 50 or more gems. The player (or team) with the most gems wins. Tips for Winning Remember that you can only play one card from your hand each turn. This means you can play one card from your hand that matches the combined value of multiple cards on the table, but you cannot play multiple cards from your hand that add up to the value of one card on the table. The collecting-by-addition tactic only works one way! Keep in mind which cards have been played. In situations where you have to play a card onto an empty table, this can reduce the chances of your opponent making a SNARKAS!. Play your ZAP cards strategically. It is often best to play them when players have many cards in their hands, because it is more likely to lead to a SNARKAS!. If you have a card in your hand that matches a card on the table, you don't have to play it. Play your cards whenever they are most advantageous to your strategy. ## FAQ ### What is the main objective of the game? The goal is to be the first player to accumulate 50 gems by collecting cards and taking advantage of special bonuses. ### How many players can participate? Snarkas is designed for 2 to 4 players. ### How long does a game typically last? Games are quite fast, usually lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. ### Is the game heavily language-dependent? No, the game has little to no language dependency, making it accessible to most players. ### Is it a complex game? No, Snarkas is considered a light game, with rules that are easy to learn and master quickly. ### What are the main components? The game consists of numbered cards, robot cards (Asters and Jolts), ZAP cards, and gems (points). ### Who would you recommend Snarkas to? We recommend it for those looking for a quick card game with 'fishing' mechanics and a touch of friendly competition, ideal for filling short gaming gaps.