- BGG rank
- BGG #661
- BGG rating
- 7.7
TZAAR
- 2 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,065
- BGG rating
- 7.3
ZÈRTZ
1999
Rules assistance for ZÈRTZ
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 30–60 min
- 9+
- Complexity 2.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for ZÈRTZ
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
ZÈRTZ is a board game released in 1999 for 2 players, 30–60 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Kris Burm and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Grid Movement, and Map Reduction.
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About the game
In ZÈRTZ, the third addition to the GIPF Project, players compete to acquire sets of multi-colored balls. This is mostly accomplished by jumping one ball over one or more others, Checkers-style, on a hex board. A player's turn consists of either jumping (which can be forced) or placing any color ball on the board and removing an empty space from the edge of the board. In this manner, the play space continually shrinks, giving the endgame an almost claustrophobic feel. This game is part of project GIPF.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Schmidt Spiele
- HUCH!
- Smart Toys and Games, Inc.
- Rio Grande Games
- Don & Co.
Questions and answers
ZÈRTZ supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for ZÈRTZ is 30–60 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 ZÈRTZ for ages 9 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.
ZÈRTZ has a complexity rating of 2.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
ZÈRTZ belongs to these categories: Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Grid Movement, and Map Reduction. 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 ZÈRTZ are: Kris Burm. 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 ZÈRTZ 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.