How To Play: Times

If you’ve ever flipped the table playing Times, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll walk you through a quick outline of the game rules (no, you don’t need a law degree) and share the best strategies for actually winning. My friends and I have survived many wild rounds, so I promise these tips come from hard-earned experience.

Overview

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 4 Player Pawns
• 72 Time Tokens
• 36 Event Cards
• 24 Resource Tiles
• 16 Action Cards
• 4 Reference Sheets
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Score Pad

How To Play Times: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center of the table. Make sure everyone can reach it. No, it will not roll away. Boards are pretty tame like that.
2. Give each player their color pieces. If you fight over colors like my friends, settle it with a staring contest.
3. Shuffle the event cards. Place them face down near the board. This pile should strike fear into your hearts.
4. Hand out starting resources to each player. Check the rulebook, or just copy the person who looks most confident.
5. Decide who goes first. The youngest, oldest, or whoever last lost at “How To Play Times”. (That was me, sadly.)

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw an event card and read it aloud. Try not to laugh if it’s the “Go Back Two Ages” one. Trust me, it stings.
2. Next, collect resources as shown on your board spaces. Don’t forget this step! I lost a game once because I forgot my bricks for three turns.
3. Then, spend resources to take actions or advance on the timeline. Be sneaky! Other players never notice if you quietly edge ahead.
4. After you act, check for any triggered effects. Some cards or spaces will surprise you. Once, I got a bonus turn, and my friends never forgave me.
5. Pass the turn clockwise. Don’t throw the event deck—no one likes a flying deck. Trust me on this.

Winning

1. The game ends when the last event card is drawn or someone reaches the end of the timeline.
2. Everyone counts their victory points from cards, tokens, and the board. Use your fingers and toes if you need to.
3. The player with the most victory points wins. Do a victory dance—just not on the table!

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If two players tie for victory points, the tiebreaker is whoever has the most leftover resources. Bragging rights don’t count (I checked).
2. Certain event cards change the rules for one round. Read these carefully, or you might end up giving your best cards to your neighbor. Ouch.
3. If you run out of a resource, tough luck! Trade, beg, or make wild promises for next game. Or just wait till your next turn.

Follow these rules, and you’re ready to play. How To Play Times is easy to learn, hard to master, and always a good time. Have fun, and watch out for sneaky event cards!

Best Times Strategies

Mastering Time in How To Play Times: My Survival Tips

Start With a Plan

Before your first turn, I always chart my moves out in my head. Sketch a rough order to follow. That way, I don’t freeze when my friends start eyeing my turns like hungry wolves.

1. Count resources you’ll need for next rounds
2. Watch which actions save more time
3. Prioritize short turns early on

React Fast When Things Change

Events blow your plans apart, trust me. I stay flexible and choose quick back-up moves instead of sulking (learned that the hard way).

1. Have a second-choice ready
2. Switch to simple actions if stalled

Keep Track of Opponents

I sneak peeks at friends’ boards. This lets me time my moves for max impact and helps block their best actions at the perfect moment.

1. Monitor opponents’ key times
2. Strike when they’re distracted or rushed

Mastering Resources: The Secret Sauce in How To Play Times

Know Your Resources

First, count your goodies. Don’t hoard like a dragon, but don’t spend like you just won the lottery either! Balance is the name of the game.

1. Track everything you have each turn.
2. Prioritize what gets you closer to winning.

Upgrade with Purpose

Always ask, “Will this pay off?” You want upgrades to work for you, not against you!

1. Only invest in cards or tokens that give returns over time.
2. Skip shiny options unless they help your plan.

Trade and Negotiate

Don’t be shy. If you need something, ask! Deals can tip the scale in your favor during How To Play Times sessions.

1. Offer two-for-one swaps if you’re desperate.
2. Sweeten deals with promises you can keep (or at least look like you might!).

Spot Every Scoring Chance in How To Play Times

Understand Where Points Hide

First, always look for hidden scoring areas on the board. Many beginners miss easy points because they focus only on the obvious tracks. Instead, examine overlooked areas.

1. Analyze the board for bonus spaces and secret objectives.
2. Compare your path with friends—sometimes the hard route pays more.

Adapt as You Play

Next, change your plan if a better scoring route pops up. Often, my friends get stuck chasing small points while I swoop in for bigger rewards.

1. Stay flexible with your moves.
2. Watch your opponents for missed openings.

Chain Combos and Multipliers

Finally, combine moves for a scoring combo. I once doubled my points this way and shocked the group. Keep an eye out for multipliers and plan several steps ahead.

1. Set up moves to score multiple times in one turn.
2. Use multiplier spaces early and often.

Wrap-Up: Your Ticket to Times Glory

So there you have it, my best tips after too many midnight matches and way too much pizza grease on the cards. If you remember the key moves – keep an eye on your time, don’t waste resources, and snatch those sneaky scoring chances – you’ll beat your friends at How To Play Times more often than not. And if they complain that you read a strategy guide, just remind them I didn’t write your lucky dice rolls! Now get out there and make some wild moves. Just don’t blame me if you start dreaming in Times tokens. Happy gaming!

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