Unlock Large Tables & Advanced Features
Matches with more than 4 players, detailed session histories, score evolution charts, and commander damage tracking matrices are exclusive to BoardGamesBot Premium members. Upgrade now to elevate your game nights!
How to Use the Life Counter
1. Pick your game or preset
Choose a fast preset like Magic Commander (40 life), MTG 1v1 (20 life), King of Tokyo, Catan, Star Realms, or start a custom free score tracker.
2. Set player count
Adjust the number of players at the table. The screen automatically reorganizes into a grid or inverted face-to-face duel layout.
3. Adjust points with quick taps
Tap the top half to add +1 and bottom half to subtract -1, or use quick +5 / -5 and +10 / -10 buttons.
4. Share your victory card
At the end of the match, instantly generate a victory card image to post on WhatsApp groups or social media.
Reference values — Magic: The Gathering
| Starting life (1v1 constructed) | 20 |
|---|---|
| Starting life (Commander) | 40 |
| Starting life (Two-Headed Giant) | 30 per team |
| Poison counters to eliminate | 10 |
| Minimum deck size (constructed) | 60 cards |
Life, poison and energy
In most 1v1 formats the game starts at 20 life and a player loses on reaching zero or less. There is no life cap: gain effects can push the count well past 20, which makes a paper tracker impractical in long games.
Poison is a parallel loss condition. Ten counters eliminate the player immediately, regardless of life. Since poison and life move independently, it is worth keeping both counts visible side by side rather than tracking poison separately.
There are also auxiliary counters that show up in some decks, such as energy and experience. They are not loss conditions, but they are easy to get wrong when kept only in your head.