
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,533
- BGG rating
- 5.9
ShowBiz Shuffle
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2002

2003
Rules assistance for Counting Zzzzs
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Counting Zzzzs is a board game released in 2003 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Joan Wendland and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Memory, and Cooperative Game.
From the publisher's website: Counting Zzzzs is a surreal new card game for 2-4 people. You and the other players are trying to get a good night's sleep. That means getting some good REM time in. During REM you will dream, and who knows what dreams may come? Some dreams are good, some bad, and some merely help you clear your head for the new day. Try to assemble a pleasant dream while your opponents try to give you nightmares or wake you up. It's the most fun you can have in your sleep!
Counting Zzzzs 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 listed playing time for Counting Zzzzs is 45 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 Counting Zzzzs for ages 10 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.
Counting Zzzzs 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.
Counting Zzzzs belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Animals. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Memory, and Cooperative Game. 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 Counting Zzzzs are: Joan Wendland. 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 Counting Zzzzs 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.