23

About this board game

23 is a card game for 2–4 players that plays in about 25 minutes, challenging players to play cards from 1 through 23 in ascending order while collecting as few penalty chips as possible.

The game uses a deck numbered 1 to 23: there is one 1, two 2s, and three copies of every card from 3 to 23. It is played over two rounds. At the start of each round, players receive cards and discard three face down. The player holding the 1 begins, then play continues in ascending order.

• Play one or more cards of the same value.
• Play a card equal to or one higher than the last card without a penalty.
• Take penalty chips when making a larger jump, or spend a bonus chip to play up to five lower or higher.
• Pass, force the next player to play, or leave the round with cards still in hand.

Large jumps cost one penalty chip for each point of difference. A regular pass gives one penalty chip, while passing to force the next player to act gives two. Leaving the round costs one penalty chip for every card remaining in hand. Players who play their last card may discard three penalty chips, creating an appealing incentive to empty their hand.

Each player begins the first round with three bonus chips. After the second round, remaining bonus chips can reduce penalty chips at a rate of two penalty chips per bonus chip. The player with the fewest penalty chips wins, so every play in 23 involves weighing a safe step against a costly leap and watching for chances to disrupt the next player.