How To Play: Focus

Focus is a fun game where you move stacks, control the board, and capture pieces for the win. Knowing How To Play focus and some cheeky strategies—like blocking paths and mixing colors—will help you outsmart your friends. Don’t forget: board control is key, and Steve always cheats.

Focus: Box Cover Front

Overview

If you’ve ever lost Focus and blamed the dog, this guide is for you. After a weekend of wild stacking with my friends, I figured out what really works. Here you’ll find a quick outline of the game rules, plus the best tips for winning. My How To Play focus advice will help you go from ‘why did I do that?’ to ‘wow, I actually won!’

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game board
  • 18 Green pieces
  • 18 Red pieces
  • 18 Blue pieces
  • 18 Yellow pieces
  • 1 Rulebook

How To Play Focus: Rules Summary

Setup
  1. Unfold the board and place it within easy reach of all players. Yes, even your friend who claims their arms are too short.
  2. Hand out all colored pieces. Each player should get the same amount. If not, expect lots of whining.
  3. Place your pieces on the board as shown in the rulebook. Try not to knock over your coffee cup while you do this. Trust me, it does not end well.
Gameplay
  1. On your turn, pick a stack you control (the top piece is your color). Extra style points if you look dramatic.
  2. Move your stack in a straight line, up to as many spaces as there are pieces in that stack. Yes, that means bigger stacks move further. Physics!
  3. If you land on another stack, pile them together. But the stack’s owner is now whoever owns the top piece. No arguing!
Winning
  1. Keep an eye out: when all your opponents can’t make a move on their turns, you win. Time for your victory dance!
  2. If you are the only one left with valid moves, start practicing your best evil laugh.
Special Rules & Conditions
  1. Stacks can only be 5 pieces high. Any pieces that spill over are removed and given back to their owners for future use. That “spare” pile comes in handy!
  2. You can only move stacks if your color is on top. Don’t forget, or someone will *definitely* remind you.
  3. If you have no pieces on the board or in reserve, and no valid moves, you are out. Sorry! Time to go get snacks for the rest of us.

So there you have it—How To Play Focus in a nutshell, with just enough rules to keep things interesting but not enough to make your head spin. Good luck, and may your stacks always be tall and mighty!

Best Focus Strategies

Mastering Stack Movement in Focus: How To Play Focus Like a Pro

Plan Your Stack Height

First, always keep an eye on your stack size. The bigger the stack, the more control you have. However, too big and you might get stuck!

  1. Balance your stack height for better movement.
  2. Don’t be greedy; sometimes smaller stacks are faster.

Layer Like a Cake

Next, mix your pieces within stacks. Mixing makes it harder for your friends to capture your color. Talk about hiding in plain sight!

  1. Slip your color into mixed stacks.
  2. Keep an eye on the turn order for sneaky moves.

Cut Off Opponents

Finally, block your friends’ stacks by parking yours in their path. Nothing frustrates your buddies more!

  1. Predict their moves and land right in their way.
  2. Pretend you didn’t do it on purpose (but you did).

Mastering the Middle: Control the Central Board in Focus

Why the Center Matters

The central board is pure gold in Focus. I learned this the hard way when my buddy Dave blocked me out, leaving me crying over my stack of lonely pieces. The center lets you reach everywhere fast and surprise your rivals.

Key Central Board Strategies

  1. Move your tallest stacks near the center early. This scares others, trust me.
  2. Spread your colors to different center spots for more options.
  3. Block opponents from forming big stacks in the middle.
  4. Watch out for sneaky sideways moves.

How To Play focus: Central Tactics

Every time I play Focus, I fight for that sweet center. If you want to learn How To Play focus, just remember: own the middle and your chances for victory explode!

Capture Like a Champion: Outsmart Opponents in Focus

Why Capturing Matters

Capturing opponent pieces in Focus isn’t just flashy—it’s the path to victory. Each capture weakens rivals and boosts your odds. But you can’t just lunge at stacks willy-nilly. You need a plan. Here’s how I snag more captures than lost socks under the couch.

Spot Opportunities Early

  1. Watch for lone rival stacks close to your base.
  2. Predict opponents’ moves and set traps.
  3. Always ask: “Can I grab more with one move?”

Smart Stack Maneuvers

  1. Mix your pieces into enemy stacks carefully.
  2. Use the How To Play focus strategy to time your captures.
  3. Break big stacks when needed to catch wandering rivals.

Keep Pressure On

  1. Hound weaker stacks so opponents scramble.
  2. Move boldly; don’t let others settle into safe patterns.

Stick With It and Stack to Win!

So there you have it—my Focus strategy guide full of wisdom gained from too many late-night battles and coffee spills. If you want to win big, remember to watch the stacks, hog the middle, and keep sneaky eyes on your friends’ moves. Never trust Steve—he always hides his best piece under a pile! I promise with these How To Play focus tips, you’ll out-wit and out-stack your rivals. Now go get stacking, and may your stacks be ever higher than your friends’ excuses!

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

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.