How To Play: Drive

Overview

If you love cars, cunning, and crushing your friends’ dreams, Drive might just be your new favorite game. After more rounds with my buddies than I can count (and a few good-natured arguments), I’ve pulled together this handy guide. You’ll find a quick outline of the game rules, plus my hard-earned best strategies for snatching victory in Drive. Buckle up—let’s see who really rules the road!

What’s in the box

• 110 Drive cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 5 Player reference cards
• 30 Route tokens
• 1 Score pad
• 5 Pencils

How To Play Drive: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Lay out the board in the center. Everyone should be able to reach it (even Jerry, who has freakishly long arms).
2. Give each player a car pawn and a matching color token.
3. Shuffle the Drive deck. Deal five cards to each player.
4. Place the rest of the cards face down as the draw pile.
5. Choose a starting player. We usually pick whoever drove here, but you can use any method (rock-paper-scissors, thumb wrestling, or last person to spill a drink).

Gameplay

1. On your turn, play a card from your hand to move your car pawn the shown spaces.
2. Announce wild sound effects. You might not HAVE to, but trust me, it adds to the fun. Vroom!
3. Draw back up to five cards, unless a special card says otherwise.
4. If you land on a space with an event icon, draw an event card and read it out loud. Prepare for something hilarious or rage-inducing.
5. If you play a block card, place a roadblock on the board to slow your rivals down. Boo, rivals!
6. Play continues clockwise. Keep an eye on your cards and the traffic ahead.

Winning

1. The first player to cross the finish line wins. Simple, but my friend Dave once celebrated too early and lost his lead. Don’t be Dave.
2. If two players cross on the same turn, whoever moved furthest past the line wins.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you draw a flat tire event, you must skip a turn unless you have a repair card. Yes, it’s as annoying as it sounds.
2. Running out of cards? Shuffle the discard pile to make a new deck.
3. If someone blocks your path and you can’t move, tough luck! Wait till your next turn or use a shortcut card if you’ve got one.

Now you know How To Play Drive. Trust me, after a round with my competitive crew, you’ll be making car noises in your sleep. Enjoy the race!

Best Drive Strategies

Mastering Efficient Route Planning in Drive

Plan Ahead for Every Turn

First, always check your full hand and the available routes on the board. Every move counts, so think about the next three stops, not just the next one.

1. Pick the shortest route connecting your key destinations.
2. Watch for potential traffic (aka your sneaky friends) blocking important roads.
3. Adjust your routes as the board state changes. Stay flexible!

Balance Risk and Reward

Sometimes, the long route offers more points. However, aim for steady progress. Ask yourself, “How likely am I to get blocked if I take a shortcut?”

Use Cards Wisely

Your hand is your fuel. Pair the best routes with the right cards, and don’t waste moves. Remember, How To Play drive is as much about speed as it is about smarts.

Card Management Mastery: Outsmart Your Friends in Drive

Keep Your Hand Lean and Mean

First, always balance your hand. Don’t end up hoarding cards, or you’ll slow down quicker than a snail on a treadmill.

1. Play high-value cards early when it gives you the lead.
2. Hold back low-value cards for emergencies.

Read the Table, Not Just the Cards

Next, stay alert. Watch what cards your friends play, then adjust. This way, you can avoid giving away your strategy.

1. Track which suits are in play.
2. Guess opponents’ weak suits and exploit them.

Bluff When It Counts

Sometimes, you need to make your opponents sweat. Bluff with mid-range cards and see if they bite.

1. Feign weakness with an average card.
2. Save your best card for the moment of glory.

After a few rounds, my friends stopped trusting my poker face. Still, good card management in Drive won me the game, and a few grudges.

Stop Them in Their Tracks: Mastering Opponent Blocking in Drive

Winning at Drive isn’t just about your route. Sometimes, it’s all about messing with your friends. When you play, focus on blocking opponents and ruining their plans. This makes them angry, and chances are, you’ll laugh. Here’s how to get good at it!

1. Watch Their Routes

1. Always study their current path.
2. Guess their next move by the cards they keep.

2. Seize Key Spaces

1. Move to crucial intersections first.
2. Prioritize spots that are close to your rival’s destination.

3. Time Your Plays

1. Wait for a moment when blocking will hurt most.
2. Surprise them right before they finish their route.

In every game of Drive with my friends, blocking made me public enemy number one. Still, it’s worth it!

Remember, smart blocking helps your own victory and adds plenty of drama. That’s how to play drive like a trickster.

Ready to Rule the Road?

Alright, you road warriors, that’s my best advice on How To Play drive and outsmart your friends. If you play smart, watch your cards, and block your pal Brian right before the finish line (sorry Brian), you’ll have a blast. Remember: even if you lose, you can always blame the dice or your snack choices. Now go out there and let the cardboard mayhem begin!

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