How to Play Stacks!
STACKS! is a fast, fun card game that tests your strategy skills. Your goal is to build full stacks of cards before the board shuffles. Be careful—unfinished stacks vanish when the board resets!
Think ahead, manage your cards, and choose your moves wisely. The game rewards quick thinking and smart play.
Can you beat the shuffle and become a STACKS! champion?
Game Setup
Choose Your Level
Before starting, pick your difficulty. Each level has a different goal:
- Easy – Complete 3 stacks.
- Normal – Complete 6 stacks.
- Hard – Complete 9 stacks.
Higher levels mean more stacks and tougher gameplay, so plan your moves carefully!
Pick Your Shuffle Mode
The board shuffles after a certain number of turns. Choose your shuffle style:
- Normal Shuffle – Shuffles every 15 turns, so you can plan ahead.
- Random Shuffle – Shuffles anytime between 1 and 20 turns, making the game exciting and unpredictable.
For the ultimate challenge, try combining Hard Mode with Random Shuffle!
Game Board and Stacks
The game board is a 3×3 grid. It has three spots each for red, yellow, and blue stacks.
- Each spot holds up to three matching color cards.
- To finish a stack, play a STACK Card as the fourth card. This locks the stack.
- Locked stacks stay safe when the board shuffles.
What Happens During a Shuffle?
When the shuffle timer hits zero:
- Incomplete stacks disappear, and you must rebuild them.
- Locked stacks stay safe and help you reach your goal.
- The colors on the board change randomly, creating new challenges each round.
To win, complete the required number of stacks while managing each shuffle wisely!
Playing Your Cards
Color and Wild Cards
- Color Cards (Red, Yellow, Blue) – Play these on matching colored placeholders.
- Wild Cards – Can match any color to help finish stacks quickly.
Stack Cards
- Stack Cards – Play this as the fourth card to complete and lock your stack. Locked stacks stay safe when the board shuffles.
Action Cards
Use Action Cards to gain advantages:
- Play Card – Lowers the Play Counter and boosts your stats.
- Shuffle Card – Delays the next board shuffle, giving you extra moves.
- Draw Card – Adds extra cards to your hand from the draw pile.
- Discard Card – Select unwanted cards to remove from your hand to free space.
- Rewind Card – Recovers cards from incomplete stacks before a shuffle clears them.
- Timer Card – Instantly lowers the Timer, and boosts your player stats!
Smart use of Action Cards can turn the game in your favor!
Taking a Turn
Every turn, pick just one of these actions:
- Draw a Card – Add a new card to your hand (but don’t overfill!).
- Play a Color or Wild Card – Build stacks on the board.
- Lock a Stack – Play a Stack Card as your final card to lock it.
- Use an Action Card – Change counters, grab back cards, or get extra help.
- Discard a Card – Clear space in your hand for better moves.
Winning means knowing when to wait, when to play, and when to let cards go!
Manage the Shuffle Countdown
To protect your stacks and win:
- Always watch the shuffle timer.
- Use Shuffle Cards to give yourself breathing room.
- Lock stacks early to protect them from disappearing.
Stay sharp and beat the shuffle!
Winning the Game
Complete the required number of stacks to win. There’s no turn or time limit — but the faster and smarter you play, the better your score!
Your final score is based on:
- How many stacks you completed
- How fast you finished the game
- How well you managed your cards
- How quickly you adapted to board shuffles
Fewer moves and sharper strategies = higher scores!
Scoring System
Your score comes from strategy, speed, and efficiency.
- Completing stacks gives you the biggest boost.
- Smart card play and timing your shuffles earn bonus points.
- Harder difficulties and random shuffles offer more points—but more risk too.
- Be careful! Drawing too many cards can cost you.
Advanced Strategies
Want to boost your stacking skills? Here’s how to stay ahead of the shuffle and stack like a champ:
Plan Ahead or Fall Behind
- Watch the shuffle countdown and plan your moves early.
- Save Stack Cards for fully built stacks—don’t waste them!
- Keep your hand balanced so you’re never stuck without a move.
Use Action Cards Like a Boss
- Rewind Card – Rescue cards from an unfinished stack. Great in a pinch!
- Shuffle Card – Push back the shuffle timer and buy more plays.
- Draw Card – Get the colors you need, but don’t overfill your hand!
Timing is everything—use these cards at just the right moment for maximum impact.
Master the Shuffle
- Lock stacks before the board resets to protect your progress.
- Be ready to adapt after every shuffle—colors change!
- In Random Shuffle Mode, expect the unexpected. Stay flexible and alert.
Always think a few moves ahead—and you’ll never be caught off guard.
Celebrate Your Victory
Once you’ve nailed your strategy, take it to the next level:
- Beat your high score
- Beat other players’ high scores
- Try harder levels and random shuffle challenges
Every round is a fresh chance to get better, play smarter, and stack higher Ready to take on the challenge? Click Start Game and start stacking now!