- BGG rank
- BGG #5,663
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Going, Going, GONE!
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,799
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Nertz
1930
Rules assistance for Nertz
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- 7+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Nertz
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Nertz is a board game released in 1930 for 2–6 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Set Collection.
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About the game
Nertz, also known widely as Pounce, is a fast paced card game where every player has their own standard deck of cards and engage in a form of multi-player solitaire. Decks with different backs are a must. Players all deal 13 cards into a draw pile and four cards out in front of themselves. When play commences, players simultaneously try to empty their draw pile by building on the four cards in front of them (red sevens on black eights, black sixes on red sevens etc.) and try to put cards into set piles in the middle of the table starting with the Ace of a given suit and then the two and three and so on. Players build on each others' set piles so this can lead to some very energetic competitions. The remaining cards that a player has are kept in a deck and counted out and turned over three at a time, placed face up, and then the top facing card can be added to the set piles or to the four working piles in front of the player. When a player has emptied the draw pile and yells out "Nertz" play stops and points are counted up - one point for each card in the middle of the table in the set piles, and -2 points for every card left in the draw pile. First player to an agreed upon score is the winner. This game has been packaged and released as Solitaire Frenzy.
Mechanics
Publishers
- (Public Domain)
- Jax, Ltd.
- Brybelly
- The United States Playing Card Company
- NERTZ Inc.
Questions and answers
Nertz 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 Nertz is 60 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 Nertz for ages 7 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.
Nertz 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.
Nertz belongs to these categories: Card Game, Party Game, and Action / Dexterity. Its main mechanics are Set Collection. 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 Nertz 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.