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Azul
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Columns
2004
Rules assistance for Columns
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.2/5
Rules assistant for Columns
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Columns is a board game released in 2004 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by David Ward (I).
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About the game
From the publisher: Columns is a two player stacking game in which you manage an inventory of pieces with the goal of capping the most columns. One player uses the set of light pieces, the other player uses the dark ones. Taking turns, the players thread their pieces over any of the 12 columns on the board without leaving gaps underneath. The playing pieces are of two basic types: 'roundels' (disk-shaped beads) and 'blockers' (square-sectioned pieces). Roundels are used to score points by capping the columns, and are the only pieces that can score. - But the blockers prevent an opponent from placing a roundel above them, and so may be cleverly used to reserve places for your roundels on the top!
Editions
- ColumnsenPin International2001
Questions and answers
Columns 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 Columns is 30 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 Columns 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.
Columns has a complexity rating of 1.2 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.
Columns belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Columns and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Columns are: David Ward (I). 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 Columns 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.