- BGG rank
- BGG #17,918
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Stella
- 2–4 players
- 5–30 min
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,200
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Matches
2024
Rules assistance for Matches
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30–45 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Matches
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Matches is a board game released in 2024 for 2–6 players, 30–45 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Daniel McKinley and its main mechanics are Take That, Set Collection, and Push Your Luck.
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About the game
The Whelming Matches factory has burned down, with only this artifact found in the destruction. Cold to touch, it sat amongst the ashen remains of the factory. Why? How? These questions have yet to be unanswered. Matches is a trick-taking style card game, with a unique spin on scoring and playing. The lead player plays a number card to start the blaze. Each player in turn order must play a card matching that number (which increases the blaze's heat and point value), or a set of cards that equal the value of the card. A player can choose to pass, upon which they collect points for each of pairs they have played. The last player to pass wins the trick and collects the points on the blaze card...but will NOT score their pairs they have played. Deciding if you'll get more points from the pairs you've played, or if you need to try and stay in to get the points on the blaze card, is the heart of Matches. The game also includes optional powerful "Burn Cards" which can be purchased with points. These Burn Cards can have huge impacts on how the game is played, the possibly points to be scored, and the cards in players hands. —description from the publisher
Designers
Publishers
- (Self-Published)
- Thing 12 Games
Questions and answers
Matches supports 2–6 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 Matches is 30–45 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 Matches 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.
Matches has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Matches belongs to these categories: Card Game, Bluffing, and Math. Its main mechanics are Take That, Set Collection, and Push Your Luck. 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 Matches are: Daniel McKinley. 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 Matches 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.