
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,194
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Blink
- 2–3 players
- 10 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 1995

1996
Rules assistance for Ricochet
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Ricochet is a board game released in 1996 for 2–5 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Reinhard Staupe and its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Pattern Recognition.
Put your reflexes to the test in this full-tilt action card game! Follow the pinball as it zooms and zips from bumper to bumper. Use number and color cues to figure out which card it will bounce to next. Spot the last place the ball will go, and you win the card. The player with the most cards is the pinball wizard! There are 4 numbers on the card and players search for the fifth number of that sequence. The card are drawn and players start to search the number at the same time. The first to find the solution tells it and gets the card if it was correct. At the end of the game the player with the most cards wins.
Ricochet supports 2–5 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 Ricochet 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 Ricochet for ages 10 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.
Ricochet 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.
Ricochet belongs to these categories: Card Game, Number, and Puzzle. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection and Pattern Recognition. 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 Ricochet are: Reinhard Staupe. 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 Ricochet 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.