Low Blow (2013)

Object
To have the lowest score at the end of the game.

Components
A 5x4 board whose four rows, are in four colors
20 - d6 dice, 5 dice each that match their color row
30 communal counters of any color, 25 if playing a 3 player game
A pot to hold the counters and some way of keeping score

Setup
Place the empty board between the players.
Place the pot with the 25 to 30 counters nearby so all the players can reach them.
Players decide what color home row belongs to them.
Players get 5 dice each in their color home row.

Play
Play, as many rounds as there are players.
A turn moves clockwise and the youngest player rolls first. In subsequent rounds rotate the start player.

On your turn, you will do one of these things;

(A) Pass if you have no dice.
(B) Roll one of your dice of any color you choose, the number and color of dice in your possession may change during the course of the game.

Then you must choose ONE of the following actions.

(1) Place the die on any open square on the board. If there are any counters in the Pot, take up to the value of the die you just placed. If the Pot's contents are insufficient, you take all the counters available and your turn ends. If the Pot is empty, you choose either the player to your left OR right, and take counters from her/him UP TO the value of the die just placed but ONLY IF THAT PLAYER HAS 1 OR MORE DICE. If the chosen player has fewer counters than the die's value, take all their counters and your turn ends. Do not take counters from a 'dice-less' player or

(2) If the Pot is empty (if not, you must do action 1 above), you may force a trade with either the player to the left or right of you. Give this player the die you just rolled even if he had no dice before receiving yours, you then take counters from this player UP TO the value of the die just rolled MINUS 1. A die showing 4 pips gets you 3 counters, a die showing 5 would get you 4 counters. If you give him a 1, you receive no counters. If the player has insufficient counters to meet the value required, you take all of his counters. You may also give/force the die to the player if he has no counters. Your turn now ends.

Remember you are not out of the game if you are out of dice or counters. Dice may be traded or given to you and counters may be taken from you.

The game ends when all rounds have been played and scored.

Scoring
At the end of each round add up each player's dice in their home row individually ignoring dice color. Then subtract 1 point for each die residing and matching a player's home row.

Track each players scores after each round and then tally the rounds at the end of the game.

Only after the end of the last round do you subtract the counters in your possession from each player's round totals; these are now the final scores for each player.

If a draw occurs, play another round.

The player with the lowest score is the winner.

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