Pickomino: The Tile-Based Game – Rules, Strategy & Winning Instructions

Introduction

Pickomino is a pretty fun engaging dice game that’s all about chickens and worms, if you can believe that. It’s a game that’s easy to learn, especially for younger players, but can give enough variation in gameplay to keep everyone involved for the round. The game was created by Reiner Knizia, a well-known game designer, and it’s been around since 2005.

The idea is to roll dice to collect tiles with worms on them, which are points. The player with the most points at the end wins. It’s a mix of luck and strategy, and it’s great for families and friends. I’ve played it a lot, and I can tell you it’s a blast and easy to pick up as a casual gamer.

Rules for playing Pickomino

The rules of Pickomino are pretty straightforward. The game is played with eight dice and a set of tiles numbered from 21 to 36. Each tile also has a number of worms on it, which are the points you’re trying to score. Here’s how you play and the full rules for Pickomino:

1. Prepare “Barbecue Grill”:

• Arrange the worm tiles in ascending order in the center of the table, forming the “barbecue grill.”

2. Start Player’s Turn:

• The youngest player initiates the game by rolling all 8 dice.
• The player selects one number from the roll and takes all dice with that chosen number, including worms (if rolled).
• A player may only choose dice with a number not selected previously during the turn.

3. Dice Collection and Tile Acquisition:

• The player calculates the total value of collected dice and acquires the corresponding tile from the barbecue grill or another player.
• If the total is 24, the player takes the 24 tile if available; otherwise, the player takes the next-lower tile.
• If another player has the needed tile, it may be taken only if the exact number is rolled.
• If the required tile is not on the grill or in front of another player, the player takes the next-lowest tile displayed.

4. Tile Display and Collection:

• Collected tiles are kept in a stack in front of each player, with only one tile visible at a time.
• Only the visible tile may be taken from a player, as described in step 3b.

5. Unsuccessful Turn:

• If a player does not roll any worms or rolls a total that has no available tile, the turn is unsuccessful.
• The top tile from the player’s stack is returned to the barbecue grill, face-up.
• The tile with the highest value on the grill is turned face down, making it unavailable for the rest of the game, except if it’s the highest number on the grill.

6. Game End:

• The game concludes when there are no more face-up tiles on the barbecue grill.

Final Scoring:

• Each player counts the number of worms on their tiles.
• The player with the most worms wins.
• In the event of a tie, the player with the worm of the highest number becomes the winner.

Equipment and Setup for Pickomino

To play Pickomino, you need the game itself, which comes with the dice and tiles. If you don’t have the game, you could make your own with some dice and homemade tiles with numbers and pictures of worms. The tiles in Pickomino are key. Each one has a number that’s the target for your dice rolls and worms that show how many points it’s worth.

Setting up is easy:

1. Shuffle the tiles and place them in the middle of the table, number side up.
2. Decide who goes first. Some people roll a die, and the highest number starts.

How to Play Pickomino and Game Mechanics

The game mechanics of Pickomino are simple but offer a lot of fun decisions. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Setup: Shuffle the tiles and place them in the middle of the table.
2. Gameplay: Players take turns rolling dice, setting aside at least one die each roll, and either taking a tile or rerolling.
3. End of the Game: The game ends when no tiles are left. Count your worms to see who wins.

During your turn, you can:

1. Roll all the dice that aren’t set aside.
2. Set aside dice with the same number.
3. Stop and take a tile or reroll.
4. If you bust, flip a tile in the middle and return your highest tile.

How to Win at Pickomino

Winning at Pickomino is about balancing risk and reward. You want to push your luck to get better tiles but not so much that you bust. Here are some tips:

1. Early in the game, go for tiles with lots of worms. They’re worth more points.
2. Watch what tiles others need and try to take them first if you can.
3. Remember, you can steal tiles from others if you roll exactly what they have.
4. Don’t push your luck too much. It’s better to take a lower tile than to bust and lose one.

There’s more to it, but those are the basics to get you started.

Best Strategies for playing Pickomino game

For the best strategies, you need to think ahead and be a bit sneaky. Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Keep track of what numbers are left in the middle. Plan your rolls around what’s available.
2. If you’re going to steal, wait for the right moment when it will hurt your opponent the most.
3. Try to leave dice options open. Don’t set aside all of one number if you don’t have to.
4. Remember, worms are key. They’re points and they let you steal. Always try to get at least one worm in your roll.

Those are some solid strategies to aim for.

Scenarios

Sometimes you’ll find yourself in a tough spot or with a great opportunity. Here’s how to handle those:

1. If you’re behind, you might need to take bigger risks to catch up. Go for tiles with more worms.
2. If you’re ahead, play it safe. Take the sure tiles and don’t give others a chance to steal.
3. If someone is about to win, it might be worth it to risk busting to stop them from getting a high tile.

Every game is different, but those ideas can help turn things around.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Pickomino game

Here are some common questions and answers:

Q: Can I reroll dice I’ve already set aside?
A: No, once you set dice aside, they stay until your turn ends.

Q: What happens if all the dice I roll are numbers I’ve already set aside?
A: You bust and your turn ends. You have to flip a tile in the middle and return your highest tile.

Q: Can I steal a tile without worms?
A: No, you need at least one worm in your roll to steal a tile.

Q: How many people can play Pickomino?
A: The game is for 2 to 7 players.

Q: How long does a game usually take?
A: About 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of players.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are a few more things to keep in mind:

Don’t forget to have fun. It’s a game, after all!

Pay attention to the other players. You can learn a lot by watching how they play.

Try different strategies I mention above. What works one game might not work the next.

External Links

For more information on Pickomino, check out these links:

• Pickomino Review [Video]