Qwirkle
TILE-LAYING PUZZLE FAMILY GAME (2006) by SUSAN MCKINLEY ROSS — players lay tiles of 6 SHAPES × 6 COLORS in rows/columns where all tiles must SHARE EITHER shape OR color (but not both). Signature: 'QWIRKLE' = completing a row/column of all 6 in one line (double points). Won SPIEL DES JAHRES 2011. Extremely accessible; deep for strategy fans. Bag-of-tiles mechanic like Scrabble but shape/color instead of letters. Beloved family game bridging strategy + puzzle.
Quick facts
Category
Tile Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~45 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
2006 first release; SPIEL DES JAHRES 2011 winner
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score most points by laying tiles in rows/columns matching shape or color rules.
Rules
Basic rules
TILES: 6 shapes × 6 colors × 3 copies = 108 tiles total
Signature 108-tile set.
Each turn: play 1+ tiles from hand into single row OR column
Signature single-line placement.
MATCHING RULE: every tile in row/column must share EITHER color OR shape (but not both)
Signature match rule.
SCORING: 1 pt per tile in each row/column your played tiles extend/complete
Signature line-scoring.
QWIRKLE: complete 6-tile line of all 6 of one attribute = 12 pts (double score for that line)
Signature Qwirkle bonus.
REFILL hand to 6 tiles at end of turn from bag
Standard hand refill.
Scoring
Sum line lengths (row + column) tiles participate in; Qwirkle bonuses for 6-tile lines.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 pt per tile in each row/column your played tiles form or extend | Line length |
| Qwirkle (6-in-a-line of all one attribute) | +12 (double normal 6) |
| End-game bonus for using last tile | +6 |
Win condition · Highest total points after bag depletes.
Equipment
108 tiles (6 shapes × 6 colors × 3 copies)
Signature 108 tiles
Cloth bag for random draws + score pad
Standard components
Terminology
- Qwirkle
- 6-tile line of all one attribute (all 6 shapes or all 6 colors) — bonus scoring.
- Line
- Row or column of tiles extended by played tile.
- Match rule
- Every tile in line must share EITHER color OR shape (never mix).
- Susan McKinley Ross
- American designer of Qwirkle.
- SPIEL DES JAHRES 2011
- German Game of the Year award — highest board game prize.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- MindWare — Qwirkle— MindWare
- BoardGameGeek— BGG