The Game: Face to Face

About this board game

The Game: Face to Face is a two-player card game with an approximately 20-minute play time, released in 2017. Players compete to get rid of their cards first by building ascending and descending piles, while making carefully timed moves that can also help their opponent.

Each player begins a turn with a hand of six cards and must play at least two cards. Your own ascending and descending piles are always available, and cards played there follow the normal rules of The Game. The central challenge is deciding how to advance your own position while managing the opportunities created by every play.

The defining twist in The Game: Face to Face is an exception that can be used exactly once per turn. You may play one card on one of your opponent’s piles, breaking all rules for that play. Although this move helps your opponent, it also pushes the pile you played on away from its upper limit.

• Players: 2
• Play time: approximately 20 minutes
• Hand size: six cards at the start of a turn
• Turn requirement: play at least two cards
• Special action: play once per turn on an opponent’s pile, breaking the normal rules

The result is a focused head-to-head race filled with difficult choices. You want to win on your own, but progressing may require you to give your opponent room to continue. Every turn asks whether to concentrate on your own ascending and descending piles or spend your special opportunity to reshape the race.