Fluxx Rules

Game Overview

Fluxx is an easy game to learn because it starts out simple — Draw 1, Play 1 — and becomes more complicated little by little. Many folks find that the best way to learn is by jumping right into a game, though that usually works best if at least one player in the group has played a Fluxx game before; if it is the first time for everyone, someone needs to read the rules first.

All you need is the 100-card deck. In version 5.0 those cards break down into 1 Basic Rules card, 19 Keepers, 27 New Rules, 23 Actions, 30 Goals and the instructions. Version 4.0 was split slightly differently: 1 Basic Rules card, 1 Meta Rule card, 4 Creepers, 19 Keepers, 24 New Rules, 29 Goals and 22 Actions.

Objective

The main objective of Fluxx is to be the first player to achieve the current Goal by having the necessary Keepers and following the current New Rules. The game continues until a clear winner emerges, and new players can join at any time by being dealt a hand of three cards.

Setup

To set up the game, place the Basic Rules card in the center of the table. Shuffle the deck and deal three cards to each player. Place the remainder of the deck face down next to the Basic Rules to form a Draw pile. At the beginning of the game, there will be no Goal or New Rule cards in play yet. There is no rule for who gets to go first; you decide!

How to Play

Fluxx is a game about change, and it becomes more complicated as the game progresses. The game begins with the Basic Rules (draw one card and play one card), but additional rules will be added as New Rules cards are played. Players take turns, going clockwise around the table, drawing and playing the indicated number of cards until someone meets the current Goal condition.

On Your Turn:

1. Draw the number of cards currently required.
2. Play the number of cards currently required.
3. Discard down to the current Hand Limit (if any).
4. Comply with the current Keeper Limit (if any).

Optional actions, allowed by New Rules, Keepers, etc., may be performed at any point during this sequence. When playing a card, you may choose any card in your hand. If you aren't sure how a card works, try reading the full text aloud as you play it.

Sample Game (in progress)

Let's consider a sample game to illustrate the gameplay:

• The game starts with the Basic Rules card in play. Each player draws three cards.
• Player A, going first, draws one card and plays the Draw 4 New Rule. Now, all players must draw four cards.
• Player B draws four cards and plays the Draw 2 card, changing the rules again. Since Player B has already drawn four cards, they don't draw any more. The Draw 2 card contradicts the Draw 4 card, so the Draw 4 is discarded.
• The game continues with players taking turns, drawing and playing cards, and discarding when necessary to comply with any Hand Limit.
• A Goal card is eventually played, setting a specific condition for winning. The first player to meet that condition wins the game.

Scoring and End of Game

The game continues until someone meets the conditions of the current Goal. That player wins instantly, no matter whose turn it is! If for some reason two or more players meet the winning conditions simultaneously, the game continues until a single winner emerges.

Common Variants

Over the years, Fluxx has been released in various themed versions, such as Zombie Fluxx, Cthulhu Fluxx, Oz Fluxx, and Monty Python Fluxx. You will find plenty of Creepers in those decks — a card type the base game no longer uses.

A Fun Fact

Creepers are the one card type that got un-invented. Version 4.0 of the base game shipped with four of them, alongside a Meta Rule card. They were then taken back out for version 5.0, because the publisher decided the original game plays better without them. The themed spin-offs kept them, which is why a Zombie Fluxx or Cthulhu Fluxx deck feels noticeably meaner than the plain one.

Where to Get the Game

Embark on a new adventure with Fluxx! fluxx card game on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Failing to read the full text of a card before playing it, which can lead to misunderstanding its effects.
2. Treating a New Rule as something that starts next turn. New Rules take effect instantly, so everyone must comply immediately — that often forces the current player to draw or play more cards right away, or forces the others to discard on the spot.
3. Forgetting to clear out the card that was replaced. A New Rule that contradicts one already on the table sends the old one to the discard pile, and a new Goal replaces the previous one. The Basic Rules card, on the other hand, stays on the table at all times even once New Rules have superseded it.
4. Not paying attention to the current Goal, which can cause a player to overlook an opportunity to win — including on someone else's turn.

FAQ

1. Q: Can someone join a game that has already started? A: Yes. New players may join at any time by being dealt a hand of three cards.

2. Q: Can I just discard a card I don't want to play? A: No. Discarding a card is not the same as playing it, and you can only discard if a Hand Limit compels you to. This means you can be forced to play a card that makes someone else win.

3. Q: Can I play a New Rule that contradicts another New Rule already in play? A: Yes, if a new New Rule contradicts one already in play, the older rule is discarded.

4. Q: What does "a card in play" mean exactly? A: It refers to a card that is face up on the table — Keepers, the current Goal, the New Rules — but not one sitting in the discard pile.

5. Q: What should I do if the Draw pile runs out? A: If the Draw pile runs out, shuffle the Discard pile, turn it over to make a new Draw pile, and keep playing.

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