The Luck is in the Dice

Start the game with FOUR gems, one of each color.

From this point on, NO PEEKING! Whenever you collect any gems, no matter what the reason, simply put your hand into the "stash" and select the number of gems that you're eligible to collect.

Collecting Gems

Similar to match-play in golf, whoever completes the hole in the fewest strokes (or turns) wins the hole. Gems are rewarded for landing on a Star, winning the hole, and beating par. Rewards are as follows:

  • Landing on a Star from the Tee Box - collect ONE gem
  • Winning the hole outright - collect TWO gems
  • Tying the hole - each winning player collects ONE gem
  • Beating par - collect ONE gem for each stroke under par, whether you win the hole or not

    • Spending Gems

    This is where strategy wins the game. Your gems assist your moves after the final roll of your turn. Only one gem can be spent per turn. If you decide to spend a gem, simply put it back in the main pile and move your playing piece according to that gem. Spending a gem can help you:

  • win the hole
  • beat your opponent
  • get out of a hazard
  • reach a target
  • change the number of gems an opponent can collect
  • change the color of a gem that is in your stash

    • Each color means a different thing

    windA blue gem represents a favorable ‘gust of wind’

    A player may use a blue gem to add or subtract one space from their shot. Blue gems may not be used on the ‘Putting Surface’. Blue gems may not be used after having landed on an Arrow, or after a failed ‘Tree Test’.

    gimmeeA green gem represents a ‘gimmee’

    A green gem will redirect any missed ‘putt’ into the ‘hole’, in essence making a putt that missed, into a putt that did not miss. Play a green gem only after having missed the ‘cup’ with a putt on the Putting Surface.

    backspinA yellow gem represents ‘backspin’

    Backspinning assists any shot landing on the Green to continue moving closer to the Flag or if lucky, maybe right into the cup. To do this, roll all five of the dice one time only, and count the largest matching color group plus the wild purple to determine how many spaces to move further on the putting surface.

    mulliganA red gem represents a ‘mulligan’

    Playing a mulligan allows a ‘redo’ or ‘do over’ of an entire turn. You may take as many redos as you have red gems. Mulligans are not allowed when playing on the Putting Surface.

    End the hole with at least FOUR gems

    At the end of each hole, players with less than four gems can replenish their stash back to four. But, there is no peeking at this point. Simply reach into the "stash" and select the number of gems to get back to four.

    Spend your gems wisely

    Your decision to spend a gem can alter the number of gems your opponent will be able to collect

    Various spaces, hazards or obstacles will affect your choice of whether to spend a gem. Depending on your roll of the dice, you will finish your turn by moving the number of spaces allowed and determine whether you would like to affect that outcome by spending a gem. Also, you may spend a gem to beat your opponent and therefore win more gems. The strategy is deciding when it is to your advantage to spend a gem. Remember, the object of the game is the player with the most gems at the end wins!

    windgimmee

    backspinmulligan

    Gem strategy tips

  • You land in the water which is a one-stroke penalty just like real golf. Spend a blue “Wind” gem to blow over the water to the next space and avoid the penalty.
  • Spend a green “Gimmee” gem to make your putt good to beat or tie your opponent.
  • You've landed on the green and you want to extend your shot to see how much backspin you have to get closer to the cup. Spend a yellow "backspin" gem...if you didn't do it "naturally".
  • You've thrown five dice and three come up black. You just want to start this stroke over, spend a red "mulligan" gem.

    • Choose the right club

    Choosing the right number of dice to throw can make a big difference as to whether you need to play a gem or not. Although the roll of the dice is considered luck...there is strategy involved to make sure you don't overshoot the green or the cup. Also, look at the space that your turn is starting from.

    Know where you lie

    The space on the hole that you are beginning your shot from can affect the outcome of your final roll. Look at the symbols to understand how the obstacle affects your shot.