How To Play: Times

Summary

If you want to win at Times, know the rules, draft your cards smart, and watch your friends like a sneaky cat. Use timing to your advantage and surprise your rivals. Trust me, I’ve laughed, lost, and finally won after many "How To Play times" practice rounds.

Times: Box Cover Front

Overview

Ready to win at Times? I’ve tried this board game with my friends (including that one who always thinks he’s a genius), so I cooked up this handy guide. You’ll find a quick outline of the rules and, most importantly, the best strategies to actually beat your pals. Spoiler: it’s not just luck! Get comfortable, because your quest for more How To Play times is about to get a whole lot easier.

What’s in the box

  • 1 Game Board
  • 80 Action Cards
  • 48 Resource Tokens
  • 4 Player Pawns
  • 4 Player Boards
  • 12 Event Tiles
  • 1 Rulebook
  • 1 Score Pad

How To Play Times: Rules Summary

Setup

  1. Place the main board in the center of the table. Make sure everyone can reach it. Unless you have T-Rex arms, then sit closer.
  2. Shuffle the deck of Times cards. Deal five cards to each player. If you forget to shuffle, expect weird looks.
  3. Put the Time tokens within easy reach. Don’t eat them. They are not snacks.
  4. Pick a player to go first. I use the ancient method of ‘whoever can make the weirdest clock noise.’

Gameplay

  1. On your turn, draw a card from the deck and add it to your hand.
  2. Play one card onto the timeline on the board. It must fit in chronological order—no putting the internet before the wheel, please.
  3. If you play a card correctly, collect one Time token as a reward. If you mess up, groan publicly and return a token.
  4. Pass play to the next person clockwise. Yes, even if your best friend is glaring at you for messing up their perfect timeline.

Winning

  1. The first player to collect seven Time tokens wins. Don’t brag too much—no one likes a time tyrant.
  2. If the deck runs out, the player with the most Time tokens sweeps the victory. Prepare your acceptance speech now.

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Wild Cards can be played at any time to skip your turn or mess with a rival. Use wisely. Or chaotically, I won’t judge.
  2. If two players tie in Time tokens, a one-card sudden death decides the winner. High stakes! Sweaty palms!
  3. No phones or internet allowed during play. If you sneak a look, you have to do your worst clock impression. Trust me, it’s hilarious.

And that’s how you master How To Play times! Trust me, after a round or two arguing about if the pyramids came before pizza, you’ll never look at history the same way again.

Best Times Strategies

Draft Like a Champion: Mastering Card Picks in Times

Read the Room

Always check what your friends are collecting. This helps you block their best How To Play times moves.

  1. Glance at discard piles and played cards often.
  2. If two players want the same thing, grab it first—even if you don’t need it yet.
Plan Ahead

Think two turns forward. I lost my first game because I chased one combo too hard and ignored better picks.

  1. Draft flexible cards early.
  2. Don’t be shy about swapping plans if the draft changes.
Avoid Trap Cards

Not all shiny cards are helpful for your How To Play times score. Some cards just look good on paper!

  1. Count your current synergies before each pick.
  2. Ask yourself: Does this really help my plan?

Mastering Timing: Crush Your Opponents in Times!

When to Play Power Cards

Drop your strongest cards right when others least expect it. Don’t just unleash them early. Wait for key moments when everyone else seems weak or distracted.

  1. Watch for rivals running low on resources.
  2. Strike when players avoid big risks.
  3. Hold back until the perfect round.
Capitalizing on Bonus Turns

Bonus turns can swing the whole game. Grab them when you’re set up to chain actions and rack up big points.

  1. Prepare extra moves in advance.
  2. Go for combos others missed.
Reacting to Opponent Moves

Stay alert to opponents’ choices. As soon as someone makes a blunder, press your advantage before they recover. Timing wins games!

  1. Snake a key card or spot right after their mistake.
  2. Speed up your own play to keep pressure on.

Outsmart Your Enemies: Winning in Times!

Spot Their Patterns

Careful observation will reveal how your friends play. Once you spot their favorite moves, you can set clever traps.

  1. Note if someone always grabs the same resource.
  2. Watch for repeated timing on high-value actions.
Change Up Your Own Game

If your opponents think they know you, surprise them. Flip the script and catch them off guard!

  1. Switch tactics when you sense they’re predicting you.
  2. Fake weakness, then strike hard.
React to Their Mistakes

When someone slips up, act fast. Capitalize before they recover. It’s fun and quite satisfying.

  1. Snatch what they ignore or miss.
  2. Pounce on risky plays they try.

Ready to Outsmart Your Friends?

If you made it this far, you’re basically a Times champion in the making. Ok, maybe not world champion, but you might finally beat your friend Tom, and that’s the real trophy. Remember, pay attention to those sneaky moves, don’t jump on every shiny card, and watch the board like a hawk on five cups of coffee. Now go out, crush your games, and brag all about your “How To Play times” wisdom. If you lose, just blame me, it’s fine. Good luck!

Want to know what we think of Times? Read our detailed review of Times 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.