How To Play: Colorado

Overview

If you’ve ever been lured in by the colorful cards of Colorado (and who hasn’t?), you know it’s way more than just picking pretty colors. After one too many defeats at the hands of my friend Pete (the human calculator), I decided to write this guide. Here, you’ll find a quick outline of the game rules plus the best tips I’ve picked up on How To Play colorado and, most importantly, how to win.

What’s in the box

• 44 Color cards
• 17 Jokers
• 5 Scoring summary cards
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Colorado: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle all the cards. Deal one face down to each player as their start card.
2. Place the rest in the center as a draw pile.
3. Give each player a summary card if you want to look professional (or just confused).
4. Choose a start player. I always force my friend Greg to go first, because he takes forever anyway.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a card from the pile.
2. Pick: either add it to your own collection, or place it face up in the middle row.
3. If you take a card from the middle, you must take the whole row. Sometimes this means grabbing a rainbow, and sometimes it’s just sadness in card form.
4. After you take a row, your turn ends. If you draw, you keep going – but don’t get greedy!

Winning

1. When the draw pile runs dry, finish the round so everyone has had an even number of turns.
2. Pick up points for your top three color sets. Any extra colors you collected give you negative points. Ow.
3. Jokers can save your butt, since they work as any color. But don’t rely on them – my cousin Lily once thought she was hot stuff and still lost by 10!
4. Whoever has the most points wins! If tied, winner is the person with the least sets. Or, if you’re playing in my house, it’s whoever brings snacks.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Jokers: Use as any color. But you can’t put more jokers than actual cards in a set. Life is tough.
2. If a player runs out of room on the table, just stack. Neatness is overrated in How To Play colorado.
3. Serious folks have house rules about trash talk. We ignore those and trash talk anyway!

That’s the gist. Get your cards, think fast, and don’t trust Greg. You’ll master How To Play colorado in no time!

Best Colorado Strategies

Master Card Selection and Timing in Colorado

Pay Attention to Your Sets

When I first learned how to play colorado with my friends, I noticed that grabbing every card isn’t smart. Instead, focus on building strong sets. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Always check which colors you already have in your sets.
2. Pick cards that boost these sets rather than starting new colors too soon.

React to Opponent Moves

Keep your eyes on what your rivals collect. If someone grabs blue every time, think twice before taking blue yourself. Instead, block them or leave those cards for a bigger risk.

1. Use other players’ choices to shape your card picks.
2. Sometimes, leave a risky color if it messes up their game more than yours!

Time Your Collection

Don’t rush to collect piles of cards early in the game. I lost so many points the first time because I got greedy. Timing matters!

1. Pass on early turns if the pile isn’t helping your main sets.
2. Wait for better options later, but watch out for leftovers that hurt you.

Risky Moves, Big Gains: Finding the Sweet Spot in Colorado

Know When to Hold ‘Em

Sometimes, you need to risk taking a new column. However, reckless grabbing can wreck your score. Wait until the right card appears. In my last game, I waited and scored a perfect yellow set. If I had rushed, I’d have lost out.

1. Watch what colors opponents avoid.
2. Hold your nerve when a tempting card appears.

Pushing Your Luck

Additionally, don’t play too safe. Playing timidly won’t get you far. Testing your luck can sometimes pay off big, especially late in the game.

1. Take a risk on a third set if it helps your score.
2. Balance your sets—never take a color just because it’s there.

How To Play colorado: Playing the Odds

Finally, use probability to your advantage. If you see lots of one color gone, the risk of getting another is lower. My group groans whenever someone plays safe all night, so I recommend spicing it up!

1. Count the cards as you play.
2. Remember which colors are still in the deck.

Set Collection Priorities: Your Ticket to Victory in Colorado

Start Smart: Early Game Choices

In the early rounds, picking cards for your three allowed colors matters most. Rather than spreading yourself thin, choose colors where you can score big. Watch what your friends grab. If everyone grabs green, maybe you should go for blue!

1. Focus on two or three strong colors.
2. Avoid colors opponents hoard.
3. Plan for bonus cards early.

Stay Flexible As The Game Shifts

Nothing ever goes as planned. When someone starts blocking your colors, pivot instead of panicking. This saved me last Saturday when Pete swiped all the reds!

1. Switch priorities if a color dries up.
2. Look for opportunities in less popular colors.

Endgame: Securing The Right Sets

As the game wraps up, fill gaps in your main sets and avoid extra colors like the plague. Remember, every stray card hurts. In my last game, ignoring a stray yellow cost me dearly!

1. Stick to your core sets.
2. Grab bonus cards if safe.

Ready to Beat Your Friends at Colorado?

Alright, my strategy-loving pals, you now know the secrets of How To Play colorado like a pro! After getting crushed a few times (thanks a lot, Greg), I learned that a good plan beats pure luck. Watch your colors, grab the right sets, and don’t get greedy—unless you want to live dangerously. Remember, even the best player can get stuck with a stack of minus points if they lose focus for a second. Give these tips a try and let me know if you finally dethrone your board game nemesis! Happy shuffling!

Want to know what we think of Colorado? Read our detailed review of Colorado here