TIMO’S TWIST: game rules

GENERAL INFORMATION

Timo’s Twist is a compact, fast-paced card game for 2 to 6 players. The game contains 54 cards in four different colors: blue, green, orange, and pink. The deck includes number cards from 0 to 9 and several action cards: Skip, Twist, Wild Card, Draw Two (+2), and Draw Four (+4).

The goal is simple: be the first player to get rid of all your cards! As soon as a player plays their last card, the round ends and the cards remaining in the other players’ hands are converted into points.

On your turn, play a card that matches the color, number, or symbol of the card on top of the discard pile. Black cards can be played regardless of the card on top. Thanks to the action cards, the game can take an unexpected turn at any moment.

The game ends when a player reaches 300 points, or another target score agreed upon before the game begins.

ACTION CARDS AND THEIR MEANING

START OF THE GAME

  1. Shuffle the cards and give each player 7 cards.

  2. Place the remaining cards face down on the table. This is the draw pile. Flip the top card over and place it next to it as the start of the discard pile.

  3. The player to the left of the dealer starts. Then play proceeds clockwise, unless a Twist card changes the direction of play.

  4. Can't play a card? Draw one card. If you can play the drawn card immediately, you may do so. If not, the turn goes to the next player.

WHAT CAN YOU PLAY?

During your turn, you may play a card that:

  • is the same color as the top card;

  • has the same number or symbol ;

  • or is a black card : a Color card or Take-Four (+4).

Example: is there a green 7? Then you may play another green card, a 7 of a different color, or a black card.

Per turn, you play one card, unless an action card creates a different situation.

DON'T FORGET TO SHOUT “TIMO!”

After playing a card, you have only one card left? Then you must shout “TIMO!” before the next player begins their turn.

Forgetting this and it is noticed in time? Then you'll be penalized and must draw 2 cards. So keep a close eye on your opponents!

END OF THE ROUND & SCORING

As soon as someone plays their last card , the round is over. The winner receives points for all the cards the other players still have in their hands. The cards are worth points as follows:

  • Number cards (0–9): the number on the card

  • Stop, Twist, and +2: 20 points

  • Color card and +4: 50 points

Add up the points after each round. The first player to reach 300 points wins the game. Prefer a shorter or longer game? Agree on a different goal score beforehand.

WHAT IF THE DRAW PILE IS EMPTY?

No problem! Leave the top card of the discard pile and shuffle the other discarded cards. Place them face down as a new draw pile and continue playing.

ADDITIONAL EXPLANATION

Can you stack +2 and +4?

Here's a real twist: you can play a +4 on a +2. A +2, however, cannot be played on a +4 .

EXAMPLE OF THE GAME

On the discard pile, there's an orange 5. You have the following cards:

green 5 · orange 2 · blue 9 · Color card

You can now:

  • play the green 5 → same number;

  • play the orange 2 → same color;

  • play the Color card → it can be played regardless of color or number.

The blue 9 cannot be played at this moment.

Enjoy the game!