
- BGG rank
- BGG #99
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Azul
- 2–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 2017

1975
Rules assistance for Amoeba
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Amoeba is a board game released in 1975 for 2–4 players and ages 8 and up. It was designed by W. Barrington Pink and its main mechanics are Pattern Building.
The board consists of a 7x7 array of plastic squares, each of which has an arc cutting two diagonally opposite corners. The rest of the equipment is a deck of 52 cards showing various closed amoeba-like curves that can be made with the arcs - players get 3 of these to start and are trying to create the curves shown on their cards. On a turn a player gets to rotate any piece except the one last rotated, and if a needed shape is made, the player gets the points shown on the card, a new card, and another turn. The first player to reach 50 points wins. Amoeba has been published as 'Tantalus' in the Ravensburger Casino Series.
Amoeba supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The catalogue lists Amoeba for ages 8 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.
Amoeba has a complexity rating of 1.8 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.
Amoeba belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Pattern Building. 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 Amoeba are: W. Barrington Pink. 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 Amoeba 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.