Jackaroo is a competitive board game played between two teams, each team consisting of two players. The goal is for each player to move all four of their marbles through the board and into the Home Base. Once a player finishes, they assist their teammate in winning. However, there are specific rules and mechanics that must be followed throughout the game:

Basic Rules:

  • Each player receives 4 marbles of the same color.

  • Players place their marbles in the “house” area on the board (the starting area).

  • One player acts as the dealer, distributing cards to all players. In each round, every player receives 4 cards per turn for four rounds, and in the final round, each player gets 5 cards.

  • The player who plays first is the one sitting to the right of the dealer.

These are the basic foundations of Jackaroo. However, gameplay revolves around the cards and their specific functions, which are divided into regular and advanced cards.

Regular Cards:

  • Card 2 → Move 2 steps forward.

  • Card 3 → Move 3 steps forward.

  • Card 4 → Move 4 steps backward.

  • Card 5 → Move 5 steps forward or move your teammate’s marble forward by 5 steps.

  • Card 6 → Move 6 steps forward.

  • Card 7 → Move a total of 7 steps, which can be split among multiple marbles, as long as the total movement is 7.

  • Card 8 → Move 8 steps forward.

  • Card 9 → Move 9 steps forward.

Advanced Cards:

These cards have more strategic uses and can significantly affect the game’s outcome:

  • King (Sheikh): The strongest card.

    • Option 1: Move a marble 13 steps forward, capturing and sending back any opponent marbles it passes over.

    • Option 2: Move a marble from the house directly to the starting base.

  • Queen (Qas): Has three abilities; the player chooses one:

    • Move 11 steps forward.

    • Move 1 step forward.

    • Move a marble from the house to the starting base.

  • Card 10: Move 10 steps forward.

    • Additionally, the player can force the opponent to their right to discard a card.

  • Red Jack: Move 11 steps forward.

  • Black Jack: Swap your marble with any opponent’s marble on the board.

  • Red Queen: Choose a card at random from the player to your right.

    • If that player has no cards left, they skip their turn.

  • Black Queen: Move 12 steps forward.

Important Notes:

  • Players sitting across from each other are teammates.

  • Once a player brings all 4 of their marbles to the Home Base, they win that round. If they still have cards left, they must help their teammate finish their marbles.

  • The board path includes the house, the track/path, and ends at the base (Home).

  • A player cannot move a marble from the house unless they have either a King (Sheikh) or Queen (Qas) card.

  • Each player plays one card per turn, then the turn rotates clockwise.