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- BGG #12,018
- BGG rating
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Shibumi
- 1–8 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2011
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- BGG rating
- 7.7
Margo
2006
Rules assistance for Margo
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–3 players
- 20 min
- 9+
- Complexity 3.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Margo
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Margo is a board game released in 2006 for 2–3 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Cameron Browne and its main mechanics are Enclosure.
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About the game
Margo is an abstract board game similar to Go, except that it's played with marbles which may stack upwards. A special capture rule means that captured pieces that support enemy pieces are not removed. Margo is played by two players, White and Black, on a square grid which is initially empty (6x6 is the standard size). Each player has an unlimited number of balls of their color. Players take turns placing a ball of their colour either: At an empty board point, or Stacked on top of four existing balls (of any colour). Players may not pass. The game ends when the current player has no legal move. The player with the most balls in play wins. Surround capture: After placing a ball, all enemy groups without freedom are captured and removed from the board, except for those which support enemy balls, which remain active in the game as zombies (only board-level freedoms are counted). Over/under rule: A connection crossing over an enemy connection cuts it. No-suicide: It is not permitted to place a ball without freedom, unless that move captures neighbours to create its own freedom. Ko rule: It is not permitted to repeat the board position of any previous turn. Swap rule: After the opening move, the second player may elect to swap colours in lieu of making a move. The name "Margo" = Marbles + Go. Online Play Gamerz (turn-based, play by email or play by web) Jocly (turn-based, live play or play against the computer) Notes Margo is the big brother of the Series: Shibumi set.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- (Web published)
- nestorgames
- Pancerola
Questions and answers
Margo supports 2–3 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 Margo 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 Margo for ages 9 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.
Margo has a complexity rating of 3.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy 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.
Margo belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Enclosure. 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 Margo are: Cameron Browne. 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 Margo 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.