Leaping Lizards Game Rules

Get ready to leap into action with the exciting game of Leaping Lizards! In this game, I’ll be explaining the rules so you can start playing and having a blast. With these game rules, you’ll understand how to play and what you need to do to emerge as the champion.

When playing Leaping Lizards, the goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. The cards in this game are illustrated with various types of lizards, each with a different number. The player with the highest card value goes first.

To begin the game, we’ll shuffle the deck and deal all the cards evenly among the players. Each player will have their own stack of cards, which they will keep face down in front of them.

Leaping Lizards is played by taking turns. On your turn, you must play a card from your hand that either matches the color or the number of the card on top of the discard pile. For example, if the top card on the discard pile is a red lizard with a value of 4, you can play a red card or a card with a value of 4 from your hand.

If you don’t have a card that matches the color or number, you’ll have to draw a card from the deck. Your turn will then end, and it will be the next player’s turn.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Some cards in Leaping Lizards have special abilities. For example, there are cards that allow you to change the color of the discard pile, cards that make the next player draw extra cards, and cards that force the next player to skip their turn. These special cards can really shake things up and give you an advantage!

The game continues in this way, with players taking turns playing cards that match the color or number of the top card on the discard pile. The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner!

Leaping Lizards is a game of strategy, luck, and quick thinking. You’ll need to carefully consider your options and make the best move based on the cards you have in your hand. With each turn, the game can change dramatically, keeping you on your toes and making each game a unique and exciting experience.

Now that you know the rules of Leaping Lizards, it’s time to grab a deck of cards and start playing. Get ready to leap into action and have a roaring good time!

So, here’s the deal: the goal of the game is to be the first lizard to jump past that pink bead right at the end of the string. Cool, right?

Getting ready

When you play this game for the first time, you’ll want to start by putting all of the beads onto the string. Begin with the green bead, then add 16 gray beads, and finish with the pink bead. Make sure to space the beads out evenly, so the lizards can fit between them when they jump.

Once the string is ready, lay it flat on a surface and twist it to create a path. You can bend it in any direction you like, as long as it doesn’t overlap.

Now it’s time for each player to choose a wood lizard and place it at the starting end of the string, right behind the green bead.

Next, give each player four Secret Creature Cards, which should be placed face down.

Lastly, take the Lead Lizard Tile and put it in the shaker cup along with all the Creature Tiles.

Now that everything is set up, it’s time to start playing!

Okay, here’s the deal. We’re playing a game where we all secretly choose a creature card. Keep it hush-hush and put it face down in front of you. Don’t forget, there are three more cards to keep to the side.

Now, the youngest player grabs the cup and shakes it up. Watch out for any runaway tiles! Once they’ve settled on the playing surface, make sure they’re all face up and ready to go.

It’s time to reveal your creature card. But hold on, we need to figure out who goes first. Take a peek at the Lead Lizard Tile to settle the matter.

If the Lead Lizard Tile has a smiley face, you get to jump over the same number of beads as there are Creature Tiles that match your Secret Creature Card.

And guess what? You also get a special treat! You get to flip over another Secret Creature Card from the pile, and move forward the number of tiles that match it.

If the Lead Lizard Tile has a sad face, I, the player at the front of the line, need to move backward (away from the finish). The number of beads I move is equal to the total number of Creature Tiles that match my Secret Creature Card.

After I move, the round continues to the left of the Lead Lizard. Each player counts how many Creature Tiles match their Secret Creature Card and then leaps over that many beads.

Remember: We ignore the Lead Lizard Tile for the first round. Instead, we all move forward the same number of spaces as the number of Creature Tiles that match our Secret Creature Cards.

Notes

• Multiple lizards can be in the same space between beads.
• The Lead Lizard Tile only affects the lizards at the front or back of the line at the start of each round.

If we have a scenario where all the lizards are in the same spot, there’s a special rule to follow. In this case, we don’t consider the Lead Lizard Tile for that round. Instead, each player moves forward based on the number on their Secret Creature Card. So, if my card says “Move forward 3 spaces,” I would move my lizard three spaces ahead.

But what if none of the tiles match my Secret Creature Card? Well, in that case, I simply stay in the same place for the round. My lizard doesn’t move at all.

Now, let’s say my lizard is pushed back all the way behind the starting bead. If this happens, my lizard should just wait there, no matter how many spaces it was supposed to move back. And if all the lizards end up behind the starting bead, we don’t consider the Lead Lizard Tile in the next round. It’s as if we’re starting the game all over again.

Example: When I look at the Lead Lizard Tile, I see a smiley face. That means that I, Player A (the orange lizard) who is at the back of the line, get to go first.

For this round, I have chosen the butterfly Secret Creature Card. It matches with 2 of the Creature Tiles. So, I get to move forward 2 spaces. As a special treat, I also get to flip over another Secret Creature Card. It’s a snail, which matches with 3 Creature Tiles.

So, I get to move forward an extra 3 spaces. Now it’s Player B’s turn. Player B is the blue lizard. He gets to move ahead 3 spaces because his Secret Creature Card is a ladybug, which matches 3 of the Creature Tiles.

Next up is Player C, the pink lizard. Player C gets to move forward 2 spaces because her Secret Creature Card is a dragonfly, and it matches with 2 Creature Tiles.

Starting a New Round

After every player takes their turn, we need to reset the game for a new round. Start by collecting all the tiles and putting them back in the shaker cup. Just like before, each player will choose a Secret Creature Card.

You can stick with the same creature you chose before, or you can pick a different one. Then, a new player gets to shake the cup and pour out the tiles. Don’t forget to check the Lead Lizard Tile to see who goes first.

The Game’s End

The lizard that jumps over the pink bead first is the winner!