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Game Rules
Rules for both games and variations
Trangs

These are the rules for the original Spectrangle, Spectrangle 36, variations for team and variations for solo play. To create these rules I have clarified the rules provided in my copies of Spectrangle and Spectrangle 36. I have also added a couple of new game variations.

The Rules for Spectrangle
Aim of the Game
Spectrangle can be played up to eight players. The game consists of 60 double-sided coloured trangs. Each trang has a number marked on it; this is its 'face-value'. The trangs are played onto a board of 60 triangular spaces some of which are numbered bonus spaces. The aim is to outscore your opponent by placing your trangs more skilfully. As you play take turns to place trangs alongside existing trangs by matching colour to colour. Attack by scoring high or defend by stopping your opponent scoring.

Starting the Game
Put the triangular board on a table within easy reach of all players. Put all the trangs into the bag. Each player takes a trang from the bag. The player drawing the highest valued trang will play first. Return all trangs to the bag, shake the bag and ensure that the trangs in the bag remain unseen throughout the game. Each player draws five trangs. The trangs held by each player must remain on the table clearly visible to all players.

The opening player selects one of their trangs and places it in one of the triangular spaces. For this first play the trang may not be played into a numbered bonus space. The face-value of the trang is recorded as this players score. The turn is completed by drawing a trang from the bag. Each player always keeps a hand of five trangs on display.

Continuing the Game
The next player now takes a turn and plays a trang. Each new trang played must be placed alongside at least one of the trangs already played. Wherever trangs touch they must match in colour. The only exception is white, which matches any colour. Once a trang has been played it may not be moved. The player may not miss a turn if they are able to make a legal play. Incorrectly placed trangs must be removed immediately and a legal play must be made. The player's score (see next section) is recorded and a replacement trang is drawn from the bag as before.
[Note: if at any time it is noticed that a player has failed to replenish their hand, then the player must rectify this by drawing the required number of trangs from the bag. There is no penalty for this]
Play passes to the next player.

Scoring
The score for each play is calculated as follows: Simple: The score for each turn is the face-value of the trang played. Numbered Bonus Spaces: these are marked on the board. When making a play on a numbered bonus space, multiply the face-value of the trang by the bonus value. Touching Bonus: if a Trang can be placed such that it touches 2 or 3 Trangs simultaneously then multiply the face-value by the number of sides touched. Touching Bonus on Numbered Bonus Space: if a Trang can be played so that it touches 2 or 3 Trangs and is also played on a numbered bonus space then multiply the face-value by the number of sides touched and then by the bonus value.

Keep a record of each player's score along with a running total throughout the whole game.

Unable to Play
If a player is unable to play they have two choices
(1) they may simply miss their turn or
(2) they may place one of their trangs back in the bag and withdraw another one. Even if this trang is playable it may not be used on this turn.
A score of zero is recorded for this turn.

Ending the Game
The game ends when all trangs have been drawn from the bag and all possible plays have been made. At the end of the game, each player's total score is reduced by the total of their unplayed trangs. The winner is the player with the highest score.

Differences for Spectrangle 36
The rules for Spectrangle 36 are the same as the rules for Spectrangle with the following exceptions.
The maximum number of players is four.
The game is played with 36 trangs on a board with 36 spaces.
Each player uses a hand of four trangs instead of five.
If you wish, you can use the supplied 'cribbage-style' pegs to record the scores in the scoring 'track' around the edge of the board.

Spectrangle 36 Game

Team Play
Two teams of two players can also play. Partners sit opposite each other and play proceeds as in the standard rules. The team with the higher combined score wins.

Solo Play
Simply put all the trangs on the table and see how quickly you legally fill all spaces on the board. Can you do it in 5 minutes (or 3 minutes for Spectrangle 36)?

Other variations
You may want to experiment with other team formats such as two teams of three or three teams of two. Or you could play a solo game by following the standard rules and scoring to try and achieve you own solo personal best.

Content (c) Copyright: Graham Robinson.
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Updated:  Nov 2004
The brand name: Spectrangle (c) Jumbo International BV, Zaandam, the Netherlands.

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