Rules
Everything you need to know to play Cooperation Cube.
Overview
Cooperation Cube is a 4-player strategy, memory, and semi-cooperation game. Try to complete as many grid patterns as you can. The more difficult the pattern, the more points you will earn. Help your opponents to earn extra points along the way, but don't help them too much!
Components
1 Cube
80 Sticks
15 short + 5 long per color
1 Die
30 Standard Cards
12 Cooperation Cards
10 Bonus Cards
2 End-of-Game Bonus Cards
Setup
- Each player chooses a color and sits facing one side of the cube. Each player receives 20 sticks (15 short and 5 long).
- Separate the cooperation cards and standard cards into two piles and shuffle each.
- Deal 2 standard cards and 1 cooperation card face down to each player.
- Combine the remaining standard and cooperation cards with the bonus cards into one pile and shuffle.
Gameplay
Roll the die to determine who goes first. Play progresses clockwise.
On your turn, choose one action:
1Play a stick
Place a short or long stick on the face in front of you.
2Draw a card
Take the top card from the draw pile.
3Discard a card
Remove a card from your hand to the discard pile.
4Play a bonus card
Activate a playable bonus card from your hand.
5Pass
Skip your turn without taking any action.
After every 4 actions (once all players have gone), the cube rotates 90 degrees clockwise.
End of Game
The game ends when a player runs out of short sticks. The other 3 players each get one more turn.
Players add up their points from:
- Completed standard cards
- Completed cooperation cards
- Cooperation points from an opponent's completed cooperation card
- Bonus card points
Subtract points for any uncompleted cards or negative bonus points.
Rules
A long stick cannot be played if the path is blocked by a crossing long stick or a short stick on the opposite face.
One card can only earn points for one face, even if the pattern appears on multiple faces.
Removed sticks are discarded permanently and cannot be replayed.
You can only play on the side currently facing you.
Bonus multipliers only count for cards in your hand, not cooperation cards in an opponent's hand.
You must have at least one cooperation card in your hand at game end or you are automatically disqualified.
Turn order and cube rotation are based on the seat, not the player. The cube rotates after seat 4 finishes, before seat 1 begins. This means a player could take two turns in a row if the “Switch seats” bonus card is played strategically.
Stick color belongs to the player, not the seat. Colors do not change when seats are switched.
Bonus Cards
Scoring+10 if two opponents fail to complete a cooperative card
Scoring+10 for any completed cards; -10 for any incomplete cards
Scoring+10 for any completed cards; -10 for any incomplete cards
Scoring+5 for any completed cards; -5 for any incomplete cards
Scoring+5 for any completed cards; -5 for any incomplete cards
ActionSwitch seats with an opponent
ActionSwitch seats with an opponent
ActionRemove an opponent's short stick
ActionRemove an opponent's long stick
ActionSwitch positions of any two short sticks on your side
End-of-Game Bonus Cards
+15Most completed cards. Not awarded if players are tied.
+10Most total sticks placed (long = short). Not awarded if players are tied.
FAQ
▶Can I lie to an opponent about a cooperation opportunity?
Sure, but don't expect them to still be your friend at the end of the game.
▶Can I show a card from my hand to a cooperation partner?
No. This rule exists to allow for more bluffing opportunities.
▶Can I look at another face of the cube on my turn?
No, you can only look at the side facing you.
▶Should I show a card once I have completed it?
No, keep your cards (completed and uncompleted) secret in your hand until the end of the game.
▶Can I draw a card and play a stick on the same turn?
No, only one action is allowed per turn.
▶Can I tell another player information about the side currently facing me?
Yes, you may share information about how many sticks, their colors, and their placement.
▶If the draw pile runs out, should the discarded cards be reshuffled?
No, once the draw pile is empty it is finished. Discarded cards cannot re-enter the game.
▶Can I hide my remaining sticks from opponents?
No, your remaining sticks should remain visible to all opponents on the table in front of you.
▶How do I read the cooperative cards?
The star indicates where you need to place your piece(s). The letter (L, A, or R) indicates where your partner (left, across, or right) needs to place theirs.
▶Can I get points for a bonus card if it is in my hand at the end of the game?
No, a bonus card must be played as an action. Played bonus cards remain face up in front of you. Bonus points are calculated at game end.
▶Do the colored faces have any meaning?
No, the colored faces only help you distinguish the different sides of the cube throughout the game.
▶What happens if I can't play a long stick?
A long stick can only be played if there is no short stick blocking it on the opposite face and no perpendicular long sticks in that row. You may have long sticks remaining at game end. Long sticks are typically easier to play early in the game.
▶Does my cooperation partner subtract points if I can't complete a cooperation card?
No, only the player holding the card subtracts the points.
▶Can I use a bonus card to remove a stick on a side not facing me?
No, only on the side currently facing you.
▶Does a cooperation card in another player's hand count toward my completed cards for bonus purposes?
No, only the cards in your own hand count toward your completed card count.
▶If I play the 'switch seats' card, do I take over the other player's cards or color?
No. You only switch seats. You keep your color sticks, your hand, and any played cards travel with you.
▶What happens if there is a tie for the end-of-game bonus cards?
The bonus is not awarded if multiple players are tied.