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- BGG rating
- 7.1
Dragon Castle
- 1–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
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- BGG rating
- 6.0
Score Four
1967
Rules assistance for Score Four
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Score Four
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Score Four is a board game released in 1967 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by H. Heller and A. P. Nienstaedt and its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Pattern Building, and Pattern Recognition.
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About the game
The object of Score Four is to position four beads of the same color in a straight line on any level or any angle. There are variations in the rules for other games in this group. Some allow all beads to be played with winner having the most lines of four. Another rule variation is to allow capturing of an opponent's bead when a line of four is made. The game was first sold commercially by Funtastic. It was then produced, and made more popular, as part of the Lakeside Abstract Series. Various commercial knock-offs resulted after Lakeside ceased selling the game. Similar to: 3D Tic Tac Toe - On a 3x3 grid instead of 4x4 Double Decker - One version of game could be played by stacking on a 4x4 grid Eternas - 16 posts arranged in a circle, up to 4 beads per post. No ties. Helix - Though set on a different grid Quadrago - Center 4 posts rotate as unit Qubic - played on a 4x4x4 grid of 64 playing positions Rex Three Way Cube - Though with different play and scoring Hijara
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- (Unknown)
- Hasbro
- Hanayama
- Toltoys
- Milton Bradley
- Otto Maier Verlag
- Dal Negro
- MB Spellen
- Dilemma Games
- IKEA
- Top-Toy
- John Jaques of London
- Woodstock Spiele
- Lakeside
- Pressman Toy Corp.
- HABA
- Nathan
- Taş Devrı Oyuncak
- Pelikan
- Philos
- Square Root Games
- RCR Terry GmbH
- Brain Games Germany
- Tri-ang
- Giseh Verlag
- Bartl
- Hilco Corporation
- F. W. Woolworth Company
- Funtastic
- Action GT
- Hatley Products
- 1-2-3-Games Éditions
- Tader Products
- Jensen
- Andres i Andreu Produccions, S.C.P. (Andreu Toys)
- VEB Thüringer Schmuck Waltershausen
- Mester
- Tac-Mot
Questions and answers
Score Four 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 Score Four is 30 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 Score Four 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.
Score Four has a complexity rating of 1.8 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.
Score Four belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Tile Placement, Pattern Building, 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 Score Four are: H. Heller and A. P. Nienstaedt. 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 Score Four 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.