- BGG rank
- BGG #30,219
- BGG rating
- 5.1
L-Game
- 2 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 1968
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,657
- BGG rating
- 5.3
3 SPOT game
1996
Rules assistance for 3 SPOT game
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 10 min
- 6+
- Complexity 1.5/5
Rules assistant for 3 SPOT game
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
3 SPOT game is a board game released in 1996 for 2 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up. It was designed by Edward de Bono and its main mechanics are Tile Placement.
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About the game
From Mr. de Bono's website: The intention was to produce the simplest possible game that could be played with a high degree of skill. An attempt was made to fulfill the following conditions: 1. A minimum number of playing pieces, preferably one each. The smallest possible board. 2. A game with very few rules, one that would be very simple to learn and play. 3. A game that could be played with a high degree of skill. 4. A game that would not be determinate. A determinate game such as nim or noughts and crosses, is one in which the starting player could always win if he knew the strategy. An indeterminate game is one which two perfect players would play for ever. The object is to score 12 points provided that the other player scores at least 6 points - if the other player scores less than six points then the player reaching 12 points is the loser! Whereas in most games the person scoring the highest number of points is the winner - in the 3 Spot game the 'winner' can be the 'loser'. Points are scored by the position of the tiles on the board which is a 3x3 grid. You can try to score the points you need, or force your opponent to take points. Appears with L-Game in Rex Games' Two Smart Games mini-anthology.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Kadon Enterprises
- Rex Games, Inc.
Questions and answers
3 SPOT game supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for 3 SPOT game is 10 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists 3 SPOT game for ages 6 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
3 SPOT game has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
3 SPOT game belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 3 SPOT game are: Edward de Bono. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 3 SPOT game as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.