====== Quincunx ======

A Decktet tableau-building game where the grid gets built as you go. Each play scores points (sometimes negative points). A game consists of as many rounds as there are players. Highest accumulated score wins.

  * Designer: Chris DeLeo
  * Coder: Aaron Dalton (Perlkönig)
  * Rules at [[http://wiki.decktet.com/game:quincunx|the Decktet wiki]]
  * Quincunx [[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37097/quincunx|at BoardGameGeek]]
  * Other [[:Decktet Games]] at Abstract Play
  * Learn more about the Decktet at [[https://www.decktet.com|the official Decktet site]]

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==== AI generated ====

====== Quincunx ======

A Decktet tableau-building game where the grid is built as you play. Each play scores points (sometimes negative). A match is as many rounds as there are players. Highest accumulated score wins.

Inventor: Chris DeLeo

===== Rules =====

See [[http://wiki.decktet.com/game:quincunx|Decktet wiki: Quincunx]] and [[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37097/quincunx|BoardGameGeek]]. Uses the [[https://www.decktet.com|Decktet]].

==== Goal ====

Play **one round per player** (two rounds with two players, three with three). Highest total score after the last round wins. Tied totals share the win.

==== Setup ====

2 or 3 players. Basic Decktet (Aces through Crowns). Each round the tableau grows from a seed until **25** cards are on the board (a 5×5 diamond of relative coordinates). Hands are dealt from the shuffled deck.

==== Gameplay ====

On your turn, play one card from your hand onto a legal empty **neighbour** of the existing tableau (the first card of a round starts the grid). Score immediately from that placement, then draw if the deck allows.

When the tableau has 25 cards, players **pass** to end the round. Unplayed hand cards may apply the Excuse exception if that variant is on. Scores accumulate; a new round begins until every player has started a round.

=== Scoring a placement ===

For each **orthogonally** adjacent card, add the two ranks (Ace = 1, numbered 2–9, Crown = 10):

  * Sum **2–9**: if a matching Ace is involved, **gain** the sum; otherwise **lose** the sum.
  * Sum **10**: no basic points.
  * Sum **11**: draw a card.
  * Sum **12–19**: gain **sum − 10**.
  * Sum **20**: draw a card.

**Pairs:** +5 for each orthogonally adjacent card of the **same rank**, unless that pair is also part of a set.

**Sets:** +30 for each line (orthogonal or diagonal) of **three or more** cards of the same rank that includes the card just played.

**Straights:** +20 for each line (including diagonal) of **three or more** cards in consecutive rank order that includes the card just played.

**Power play:** If you play an Ace or Crown orthogonally next to the matching Ace or Crown, score the sum of ranks of all **other** tableau cards that share that suit.

==== Variants ====

===== The Excuse =====

Adds the Excuse. It scores no basic points, does not participate in straights, and does not penalise an unplayed hand at round end (''excuse'').

===== Flush bonuses =====

If the card creates or extends a continuous line (including diagonal) of **four or more** cards sharing a suit, or a **2×2** of one suit, score **10** per such line or square (''flush'').

===== Further details =====

==== Version history ====

  * Current engine version: ''20250518'' (2025-05-18). On Abstract Play since 2025-06-01.

==== Abstract Play ====

  * Hands are hidden from observers and opponents.
  * Decktet reference: [[https://www.decktet.com|Decktet.com]].

==== Links ====

  * [[http://wiki.decktet.com/game:quincunx]]
  * [[https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37097/quincunx]]