How To Play: Focus

Overview

If you think Focus is just another board game, let me tell you—this one made me question my friendships. In this guide, I’ll walk you through an outline of the game rules so you don’t end up flipping the board like Dave did. Plus, I’ve packed in the best winning strategies so you can outsmart your buddies without needing a chess grandmaster as a roommate.

What’s in the box

• 1 game board
• 18 green pieces
• 18 yellow pieces
• 18 red pieces
• 18 black pieces
• 1 rulebook

How To Play Focus: Rules Summary

Setup: Get Ready to Stack!

1. First, spread the square board out in the middle of your table. Lose the snacks if needed—I learned pretzels and game pieces do not mix well.

2. Next, pick your color. There are usually four options. Try not to fight over who gets red. Trust me, it gets weird.

3. Place your pieces on the board according to the pattern in the rulebook. It looks like a checkerboard, but with more drama.

Gameplay: Stack ’em Up!

1. Players take turns. On your turn, pick a stack. That stack must have your color on top.

2. Move the stack straight (not diagonal). The number of pieces in it determines how far it goes. For example, a stack of three moves exactly three spaces.

3. If your stack lands on another, combine them. The stack limit is five. Anything more falls off the back like my hopes when someone blocks my move.

Winning: How To Crush Your Friends (Nicely)

1. When a player can’t make a move on their turn, they are out. This is not the time to flip the table, but it will be tempting.

2. The last player remaining wins. Yes, you get bragging rights until next game night.

Special Rules & Conditions: The Cool Stuff

1. If a stack grows beyond five, remove extra pieces, starting from the bottom. If any are your color, you keep them in your reserve. Others go out of the game.

2. You can use your reserve pieces on your turn instead of moving a stack. Place one on an empty space or on top of any stack, as long as your color is on top when you finish. This bit always saves me when I’ve made a mess elsewhere.

If you follow these steps, congratulations, you now know the rules of Focus! Next step: try them out and dominate the board. Happy stacking, and remember: for actual fun, bring friends. For extra chaos, bring snacks anyway.

Best Focus Strategies

Stack to Victory: Mastering Piece Movement in Focus

Understand the Power of Stacking

Stacking lets you control more pieces at once. At first, I just moved single pieces, but soon I realised stacks are king. Here’s what helped me win:

1. Always try to make stacks of three or four early—bigger stacks move farther.
2. Stack your colors together for better control during the late game.
3. Don’t split your forces; keep stacks near each other for support.

Basics of Movement

In Focus, pieces move as many spaces as the number in your stack. When I forgot this, I stranded my own pieces!

1. Move tall stacks to threaten or escape danger fast.
2. Single pieces are slow—avoid them unless you must block an opponent.

How To Play focus: Smart Setup

Arrange your pieces so they meet in the middle. This sets up easy stacking and more movement options down the road.

Master the Art of Capturing in Focus

Plan Your Attack Routes

First, always look ahead. Predict where your opponent’s stacks might land and then set traps.

1. Lead weak stacks into corners.
2. Block escape routes.

Pick Your Battles

Next, don’t just grab every stack you see. Instead, wait for the perfect moment. Use the How To Play focus rules to spot the best stack to capture.

1. Take stacks with more of your color.
2. Leave dangerous stacks for later.

Recover and Rebuild Fast

Finally, after capturing, regroup quickly. Don’t leave your new stacks exposed. Protect them!

1. Move captured stacks together.
2. Stack again if you can.

Color Command: How To Play Focus With Color Control

Keep Your Color on Top

If you want to win at Focus, always pay attention to which color sits on top of your stacks. When your color is visible, you control where those stacks go. Here’s how I keep my colors ruling:

1. Watch each move to make sure your color stays on top of big stacks.
2. Block your rivals from stacking over your color.
3. Split opponent-controlled stacks by sneaky movement.

Control With Spread

Never rely on just one or two stacks. Spread your color across the board. This keeps your presence strong, even if disaster strikes.

1. Place single pieces near rivals to tempt mistakes.
2. Keep your stacks within reach of more friendly colors.

Guard the Borders

Borders are your best friend. You can’t be attacked from all sides here, so I always park a few of my colored stacks on the edge. That’s how to play focus in style!

1. Stack your color tall on corners or sides for defense.
2. Force others to move from risky middle spaces.

Finish Like a Focus Pro!

Alright, that’s the whole enchilada on Focus strategy! After a few rounds with my buddies, I can say: this game is trickier than my aunt’s chili recipe (and that stuff will melt your tongue off).

Remember: stack those pieces, plan your moves, and watch the board like a hawk. Don’t let your color wander off into a corner, unless you like feeling lonely at game night. Trust me, I lost three games in a row when I ignored my own color. My friends never let me forget it.

One last tip — practice makes perfect. Play a few times and you’ll start to see those sneaky moves. And if you ever get stuck, reread this guide, laugh at my mistakes, and keep the How To Play focus right where it belongs: on having fun.

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