
- BGG rank
- BGG #277
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Calico
- 1–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2020

1999
Rules assistance for Culls
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.
Culls is a board game released in 1999 for 2 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Rob Nelson (II) and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and Pattern Building.
To win The Game of CULLS — which has also appeared in print as Bollox, Bolix, and Bōku — you need to get five of your pieces in a row. To set up, one player places two chips lobster-side down on empty spaces on the game board, then the other player does the same, after which players take turns placing one chip lobster-side down. If by placing a chip, you sandwich exactly two of the opponent's chips, turn one of those chips lobster-side up. On that player's turn, they must cull their lobster, picking up the piece and placing it elsewhere lobster-side down as their entire turn. Continue until someone wins.
Culls 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 Culls is 20 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 Culls 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.
Culls has a complexity rating of 2.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Culls belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid and 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 Culls are: Rob Nelson (II). 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 Culls 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.