
- BGG rank
- BGG #789
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Formula D
- 2–10 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2008

2014
Rules assistance for Start Frei
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Start Frei is a board game released in 2014 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Hanno Girke, Dale Yu, and Klemens Franz and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Roll / Spin and Move, and Dice Rolling.
Start Frei is the "big" title in the new "Carrera Tabletop Games" series by Austrian publisher Stadlbauer. Each round players chose one of their hand-cards and place them face-down in front of them. After reveiling the cards a unique number on each card determines the order of play. Players may shift up/down or drive (roll the corresponding dice). The first player finishing the 2nd round wins. The game has some unique twists on the racing-game genre: - upgrade your hand cards by buying new cards during the pitstop - the first/second player to finish the pitstop gets a bonus - collect Carrera Coins by passing-pay and stopping on chicanes - build the race track during play - use DRS markers to get special advantages - cards control the cars and give special abilities - change lanes like in real slot-car-racing
Start Frei 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 Start Frei 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 Start Frei 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.
Start Frei 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.
Start Frei belongs to these categories: Racing and Sports. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Roll / Spin and Move, and Dice Rolling. 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 Start Frei are: Hanno Girke, Dale Yu, and Klemens Franz. 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 Start Frei 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.