How To Play: Times

Overview

If you’re tired of your cousin always winning at Times, you’re in the right spot. After a few wild rounds with my friends (and too much pizza), I pulled together this guide. Inside, you’ll find a short outline of the game rules and, more excitingly, the best strategies for winning. Whether you want to master How To Play times or just show off, I’ve got you covered.

What’s in the box

• 200 Time Cards
• 1 Sand Timer
• 6 Player Pawns
• 1 Game Board
• 40 Scoring Tokens
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Times: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the Times deck very well. Pretend you’re on a cooking show if you need to keep shuffling interesting.
2. Deal five cards to each player. Don’t peek at anyone else’s cards. Or at least don’t get caught.
3. Place the remaining deck in the middle of the table. This will be your draw pile, not a place for your snacks.
4. Pick the player who last lost track of time. They get to go first. (Trust me, the title joke never gets old.)

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a card from the deck. Not the cat. The deck.
2. Play one card from your hand. Place it face up in front of you.
3. If you play a special card, follow its instructions. Sometimes that means high-fiving your neighbor, sometimes it means crying softly. Just kidding—usually, it means swapping cards or skipping turns.
4. Pass the play to the left. The person to your left draws next.
5. Keep going in this order while you keep trying to remember the rules.

Winning

1. The first player to collect a full Times sequence (1-5, same color) wins. It’s as satisfying as finding money in old jeans.
2. If two players do it in the same round, the one who played first wins. Sorry, tie-breakers.
3. Don’t forget to do a victory dance. (Rule written by my group, but highly recommended!)

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If the draw pile runs out, reshuffle the discard pile to make a new one. Yes, you really have to reshuffle.
2. If you cannot play any card, you must discard your entire hand and draw five new cards. It hurts, but it’s fair.
3. Special cards with timers can freeze or skip players. Use them wisely, or you’ll be the victim of your own trap.
4. Never eat greasy chips while playing. Trust me, learned this one the hard way.

That’s it! With these rules, you’ll know How To Play Times, and you’ll be ready to outplay your friends—unless you forget the victory dance.

Best Times Strategies

Mastering the Clock: Optimal Card Timing in Times

Know When to Wait

Patience pays off. Early in the game, resist the urge to play your highest cards. Instead, watch your opponents first. This gives you an idea about their tactics.

Watch the Table

Keep your eyes on what cards are already played. Timing helps you avoid running into traps. Therefore, always pause to think before you make a move.

Striking at the Right Moment

1. Hold onto game-changing cards until you see your opponents getting desperate.
2. Time your plays to block key moves.
3. Use cards to finish a round when you have the upper hand.

Sync With Your Team

Chat with your team and let them know your plan. Good timing often depends on everyone acting together. Keep those “How To Play times” in mind for team wins!

Team Communication: Your Secret Weapon to Win Times!

Set a Game Plan Before Starting

1. Gather everyone and discuss your main goals.
2. Pick who will focus on which tasks.
3. Make sure everyone knows the rules and How To Play times.

Keep Talking, But Stay Brief

1. Share your thoughts, but don’t monologue. Quick ideas work best!
2. When unsure, ask teammates for opinions instead of guessing alone.
3. Nudge team members if they get quiet. Sometimes a lost player costs you the win.

React and Adjust as a Group

1. When plans change, speak up fast—no silent doom allowed.
2. Encourage honest feedback but keep things fun. You want everyone on board till the last round.

I’ve lost by one point just because we sat in confused silence. Trust me, talk it out and you’ll boost your shot at winning How To Play times every time!

Score Maximization Strategies That Actually Work

Prioritize High-Value Cards

1. Play cards worth more points first, but only if you can do so without messing up your team’s timing.
2. Watch out for sneaky cards that look weak but can build combos later.

Adapt to the Game Flow

1. Shift your plan when you see an opening for more points.
2. Block your rivals’ scores when possible — it’s not rude, it’s strategic!

Risk Versus Reward

1. Take risks when you’re behind; play it safe when you’re ahead.
2. Don’t get greedy. Sometimes securing a few steady points outshines those wild card gambles.

After plenty of nights playing Times, I learned that chasing every point often ends with me facepalming. Smart, steady scoring wins more than flashy moves. Trust me, my scoreboard proves it!

Ready to Rule Times?

You made it to the end! Take these tips, your fresh know-how on How To Play times, and go outplay your friends. Just remember—play smart, but if all else fails, blame the dice. That’s my move! Oh, and don’t forget snacks. Nothing helps strategy like a mouthful of chips. Good luck, and may your Times be epic and your rules arguments short!

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