
- BGG rank
- BGG #20,276
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Noah Planet
- 1–4 players
- 30–75 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2020

Rules assistance for Mad Dash!
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.
Mad Dash! is a board game released in 1991 for 2 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Pattern Building.
Each of two players unfolds a U.S. map and spreads half a deck of state cards face up on a table. The timer is then turned over, and each player forms cards into a trail of neighbor states. Scoring is conducted when the sand runs out by totaling the point values of each card and adding a 20 point bonus if the trail stretches from coast-to-coast.
Mad Dash! 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 Mad Dash! 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 Mad Dash! 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.
Mad Dash! has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
Mad Dash! belongs to these categories: Card Game, Racing, and Educational. Its main mechanics are Hand Management 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 catalogue lists Mad Dash! 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.