How To Play: Target

I’ve played Target enough times to know that winning takes more than just luck. You need sharp moves, some sneaky tricks, and the guts to block your best friend’s big play. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick outline of the game rules (so you don’t mess up before the first turn), plus the best strategies I picked up after several victories (and a few embarrassing losses).

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 120 Card deck
• 4 Player tokens
• 40 Wooden coins
• 1 Rulebook
• 8 Player reference cards
• 16 Special action tiles
• 4 Score trackers

How To Play Target: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the board in the center of your table. Make sure it’s not upside-down (I learned that the hard way!).
2. Shuffle the card deck and deal each player 5 cards. Place the rest in a draw pile.
3. Give each player 3 coins. Put the coin supply nearby for easy access (unless you trust your friends not to steal them).
4. Pick a starting player—whoever last knocked over the salt shaker goes first.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw one card from the pile. Now you have a new surprise to plot with.
2. Play one card from your hand onto the board. Tell everyone what sneaky move you’re making.
3. Spend coins if your card needs it. Don’t blow them all at once, like I did during my first game.
4. Follow the action on the card—sometimes you gain stuff, sometimes you make rivals suffer.
5. End your turn by passing play to the left. Try not to glare at the person who blocked your last move.

Winning

1. The first player to reach 12 points wins. You’ll see the victory track on the board, unless the cat is sitting on it.
2. If two or more players tie, keep playing until only one player reaches the target score alone.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you ever run out of cards, shuffle the discard pile to make a new draw pile. (Trust me, you will!)
2. If you can’t play a card, skip your turn with a dramatic sigh.
3. Some cards break the regular rules—always follow the card’s text, even if it makes things wacky.
4. If someone forgets whose turn it is, just blame Steve. It’s usually his fault.

By following these steps, you’ll master How To Play Target in no time. My friends and I learned quick, and nobody even flipped the table—well, not this time anyway!

Best Target Strategies

How To Play Target: Master Resource Management Like a Pro

Count Every Coin

Never just toss resources around. Instead, keep a sharp count on what you spend. My friend Sarah once splurged early and then spent the rest of the game watching me grab all the goodies. Ouch.

1. Always check your resources before making any move.
2. Try to save for key moments, not just every shiny thing.

Plan for the Future

Now, think ahead. I’ve found that looking two turns forward helps a ton.

1. Ask yourself if you need what’s on the board now or later.
2. Hold back when a better card is coming soon.

Keep an Eye on Rivals

Resource management is also about stopping others. Don’t let your pal Steve hoard all the salt, or you’ll regret it!

1. Deny key resources to your opponents when you can.
2. Watch what others collect and plan accordingly.

Mastering the Best Card Play Order in Target

Start Strong: Play Cards with Immediate Impact

First, make sure you put down cards that change the board fast. This forces your rivals to react to you, not the other way around.

1. Play cards that score points right away.
2. Use action cards that mess with opponents.

Think Ahead: Save Powerful Cards

Next, stash those big cards for the right moment. Don’t waste them early. Instead, watch your friends and surprise them later.

1. Hold back high-value cards.
2. Wait to play game-changing cards.

React Wisely: Break Patterns

Finally, shake things up. If you always play the same way, your friends will catch on. Switch your card order, and they won’t see you coming.

1. Change your routine every game.
2. Play unexpected cards mid-game.

After playing Target many times, I learned that the best How To Play target tip is to mix up your card order. This keeps every game fresh—and keeps my friends guessing!

Block Like a Boss: Sabotage in Target

Watch Their Coins

If you see a friend saving coins for a big move, stop them. Buy the card they need before they do! This annoys them and helps you.

Control Popular Spaces

After a few rounds, you’ll know which spaces your rivals love. Take those before they can, so you stay ahead.

1. Play cards that steal spots.
2. Act fast if you spot a pattern.

Disrupt Combos

Sometimes, an opponent builds up for a combo. Cut them off by grabbing the card or spot they need most.

1. Keep track of card combos.
2. Always grab pieces others seem to want.

Ready to Crush Target?

Alright, that’s my Target strategy guide, straight from my living room after too many snacks and a hard-fought win (or loss, I won’t say which). With these tips, you now know the art of blocking, resource management, and sneaky card stuff. Remember, luck matters, but planning matters more! Next time your opponent thinks they’ve got you, just smile and pretend you forgot the rules. Good luck—and let me know if you actually pull off a win! Oh, and don’t forget to check out ‘How To Play target’ if you need a reminder mid-game!

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