Spectrangle

Spectrangle is a tactical game for two, three or four players. Tha game board is a triangle built up of smaller triangles. The players alternates on placing triangular tiles on the board, and the aim is to end the game with the most points.

Course of the game

When it is a player's turn he plays one of his four tiles on the gameboard. Each tile has one, two or three colors. When played, the tiles must be placed next to an already played tile with the same color. The tile will score (read below) and as the last thing in his turn the player draws a new tile, placing it in front of him on the table. The tiles are not hidden from the other player(s).

Scoring

Every time you play a tile you get points. The tile has a basic value from 1 to 6 (printed on the tile) and you multiply this value with the number of tiles it is placed next to (ie. from 1 to 3). In addition, some fields on the board are bonus fields, marked 2, 3 or 4. If played on a bonus field the score is multiplied with this bonus number. Thus, the maximum score for a played tile is 6 X 3 x 4 = 72 points (the tiles have a basic value from 1 to 6, multiplied with number of tiles it is placed next to on the board, multiplied with a possible bonus field). The scores are tracked around the outer edge of the board.

The best placement doesn't necessarily have to be the place that gives you the most points. Since you have knowledge of your opponents tiles you should be careful not to give him an opening were he can play a tile and receive a lot of bonus points.

Winning the game

When all the tiles are played, or there is no legal placement left (it may happen that the board "locks up"), the game ends. The player with the most points is declared the winner.

A good, tactical game

Spectrangle is an abstract, tactical game. If you enjoy games like Othello, Gipf or Ghosts, this game should be right up your alley. Because the tiles are drawn from cloth bag, and you don't what tile you'll get, there is a luck element in the game, but that is fine with me. The luck element here is rather small, and when playing several games the luck should even out.

Spectrangle can also be played as a team game, with two teams playing against each other. I reccomend this game for everyone who likes abstract, tactical games with a little bit of luck involved.

Reader comments

Graham Robinson:

Is Spectrangle 36 still in distribution? Does it have an owner who is contactable?

Very best regards /Graham

Mike Salter:

My wife found Spectrangle in a second-hand shop. the whole family enjoys it,Nicholas(5)Oscar(2-likes the colours)Beata(39) and myself(39). Great game.

Jo:

A great game for all ages but where can I buy one as I understand it is no longer available new.

jan leth:

hej, jeg leder efter et spectrangle spil, så hvis der er nogen der kan hjælpe mig vil det være dejligt.

Lester Jordan:

As one of the original inventors of Spectrangle, I still have plenty of copies available for sale. Please contact me by e-mail if interested

Ros Hudson:

I bought Spectrangle when the children were young,over the years the pieces were lost.Can I buy another game from you? we've looked everywhere but couldn't remember the name of it- just 'trangs' which I think the pieces were called.

Graham Robinson:

In some idle moments I have created a "tribute" site at www.spectrangle.com
or www.grahamandmarion.com/spectrangle/

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