Objective:

• To win control of at least five out of nine stones by forming the best combinations of cards.

Setup:

1. Players: 2 players.

2. Game Components:

   • Battle Deck: A deck of cards with numbers and symbols.

   • Stone Cards: Nine stones are placed in a row between the players.

3. Initial Setup:

   • Shuffle the Battle Deck and deal 6 cards to each player.

   • Place the nine stone cards in a row between the two players. These stones represent the positions players will compete for.

Example Setup:

1. Battle Deck: A shuffled deck of cards.

2. Stones: Nine stones placed in a row between the players.

3. Hands: Each player starts with 6 cards.

Gameplay:

The game is played in turns, with each player taking one action per turn:

1. Draw Phase:

   • At the start of their turn, a player draws one card from the Battle Deck to add to their hand.

2. Play Phase:

   • The player chooses one of their cards and places it face up on one of the three stones in front of them. The stone can have cards placed on it by either player.

   • Cards must be placed in the row directly in front of the stone they are targeting. Each stone can have a maximum of 3 cards.

3. Card Placement:

   • Cards played on a stone must follow the color of that stone. Each stone has a corresponding color.

4. End of Turn:

   • After placing a card, the player discards down to a hand size of 5 cards if necessary.
     

Scoring Stones:

To win a stone, a player must form the strongest combination of cards on that stone compared to their opponent. The combinations are scored based on the following categories:

1. Color Combinations:

   • Three of a Kind: The player with three cards of the same rank wins the stone.

   • Sequential Series: A sequence of three consecutive ranks (e.g., 5, 6, 7) in the same color wins the stone.

   • Highest Total: If neither player has a three of a kind or a sequential series, the stone is awarded to the player with the highest total value of cards on that stone.

2. Winning Stones:

   • After all cards are played or when a player has secured a stone, the winner of the stone is determined based on the above combinations.

   • The player who wins the most stones or achieves the required number of stones wins the game.
     

Winning the Game:

• The game ends when a player has won 5 stones or when the deck is exhausted and all stones have been contested.
  

Tips for Playing:

• Strategic Card Placement: Place cards strategically to block your opponent from winning stones.

• Manage Hand Size: Keep track of your hand and draw cards to maintain an advantageous position.

• Observe Opponent: Pay attention to your opponent’s moves and plan your card placement accordingly.