- BGG rank
- BGG #15,283
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Pole Position
- 2–5 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 1989
- BGG rank
- BGG #22,482
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Matchstix
1987
Rules assistance for Matchstix
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Matchstix
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Matchstix is a board game released in 1987 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Gerhard E. Kodys and its main mechanics are Hand Management and Pattern Building.
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About the game
The "Tricky Sticky Card Game".....Stix is played with cards and sticks - both included with the game. Depending on the version being played, the winner is the player who puts down either all his cards or more cards than his opponents. Each player is dealt five cards face down. One card is taken from the remaining pack of cards and laid out on the table as a pattern for the sticks. If a player can make the pattern of the sticks match the pattern on one of his cards, by moving only one of the sticks to a new position, he may put that card down on the table. If the player cannot put a card down, he must take a new one from the pack.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Carlit
- Piatnik
- Mandoo Games
- Discovery Toys
Questions and answers
Matchstix 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 Matchstix 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 Matchstix 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.
Matchstix 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.
Matchstix belongs to these categories: Card Game and Puzzle. 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 credited designers of Matchstix are: Gerhard E. Kodys. 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 Matchstix 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.