How To Play Flinch (step by step guide)

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flinch card game

Looking for the Flinch Card Game Rules? This classic game is a perfect blend of strategy and skill that’s kept players hooked for generations. Ready to outsmart your opponents? This guide will walk you through the rules and strategies you need to become a Flinch master.

Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Players: 2 to 4

Suitable for ages: 7 and over

Game Versions: Classic Flinch / Fast Flinch

Game Time: 30-45 minutes

Tag Line: Get your cards in order!

Objective of Flinch

The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all the cards in your Stockpile.

Game Contents

144 Cards numbered 1 to 15 and Wild Cards.

There are nine cards of each.

Setup Flinch (Classic Version)

The setup of Flinch involves several types of piles.

  1. Each player starts with a Stockpile, consisting of the first ten cards dealt to them. These cards are placed face-down in front of each player. The top card of the Stockpile is then turned over.
  2. Players also receive five cards to form their Hand, which are held privately.
  3. The remaining cards form the Draw pile and are placed in the center of the table.

Gameplay

Starting the Game

The youngest player goes first.

Players look for a 1 card at the top of their Stockpile to start a Play pile. If the top card of the Stockpile is not a 1, players check their Hand for a 1.

Each player can also have Reserve piles which they play into. If a 1 card is not at the top of a player’s stockpile or in their hand, they place a card into a reserve pile.

At the end of a turn, the player will refresh their hand back up to 5 cards by picking up from the Draw pile.

Playing the Cards

The fundamental rule in Flinch is to play cards in numerical order, starting from 1 and progressing to 15. If a player has a 2 card, they can play it on top of a 1 card in the Play pile. If a player has a 7 card, it can be put on top of a 6 in the play pile.

The goal is to continue this sequence until a play pile reaches 15.

older edition of flinch

More About the Piles in Flinch

Reserve Piles

Each player may have up to 5 Reserve Piles which only they can play into.

1 Cards cannot be played into a reserve pile and must be used to start new play piles whenever possible.

On a player’s turn, they may draw the top card from one of their reserve piles and put it on a play pile. Cards in a reserve pile are faced upwards and are visible to all players. Players can only use the top card from a reserve pile and cannot pick from lower in the pile.

When used strategically, a reserve pile will enable a player to play more cards from their stockpile.

At the end of each turn, a player must discard one card from their hand into a reserve pile.

Stock Piles

The objective of Flinch is to get rid of the 10 cards in your stockpile before any other player.

On a player’s turn, they should play the top card from their stockpile onto a play pile whenever possible (see the Flinch Rule below if a player fails to do this).

After a card has been played from the top of the stockpile, the next card should be turned over and if possible this too can be put onto a play pile. Continue doing this until the top card from the stockpile can no longer be played.

Play Piles

Up to five play piles are used in the center of the table at any one time.

All players use the same play piles as each other.

Play piles are built up in order (hence the tagline Get your cards in order) from 1 through to 15.

Once a play pile is complete, set it aside and if possible start a new play pile from 1.

A player can add to a play pile from their own stockpile, hand or reserve pile. Players should attempt to play from their stockpile first as the goal of the game is to get rid of the stockpile first!

Draw Pile

A draw pile is used by all players to draw new cards to replenish their hand at the end of a turn.

Players draw as many cards as needed to bring their hand back up to 5 at the end of their turn.

If the draw pile runs out of cards, completed play piles (see above) should be shuffled and added to the draw pile.

The Flinch Rule

A pivotal aspect of Flinch is the Flinch rule. Players must prioritize playing cards from the top of their Stockpile whenever possible. If a player neglects this rule, opponents can call out “Flinch.”

Crucially, the top card in the stockpile is turned up and all the other players can see if it could be used in sequence in one of the play piles.

The penalized player must then take the top card from the accuser’s Stockpile, adding it to their own, increasing the number of cards they need to play. This rule adds a layer of vigilance and strategy to the game, as players must be attentive not only to their cards but also to their opponent’s moves.

The Flinch rule is only used in the Classic version of the game and not the Fast version.

Ending the Game

The game is won when a player plays their last card from the stockpile onto a play pile before anyone else.

The last card from a stockpile cannot be played onto a reserve pile to win.

Strategies and Tips for Flinch

Winning at Flinch requires more than just the luck of which cards are drawn (although this can help). Players should plan each move carefully. While it might be tempting to play cards rapidly, a slower, more thoughtful approach can often be more effective.

Using the Reserve piles wisely is key. Holding back a card strategically may seem counter-intuitive, but it could unlock a sequence of cards and help reduce your stockpile in subsequent turns.

This strategy helps avoid mistakes and ensures better control over the game flow. Additionally, players should always be on the lookout for opportunities to call “Flinch” on their opponents, as this can significantly set back other players while advancing their position in the game​.

How To Play Fast Flinch

Fast Flinch is very similar to the classic version but shorter.

The differences are:

  • The numbers 14 and 15 are not used. Remove these before the game starts.
  • The Flinch rule is not used.
  • Wild cards are used and can replace any number.
  • Each player has a maximum of only four reserve piles instead of five.
  • There can only be a maximum of four play piles
1963 edition flinch

FAQs

Where did the Flinch game come from?

The invention of the Flinch game has been attributed to AJ Patterson of Kalamazoo, Michigan in the early 20th Century. He then licensed it to the Parker Brothers. However, some sources attribute Eugene Munger of New York as the original inventor of the game. It is claimed that the game was not copyrighted and a commercial flop until Patterson stumbled upon it.

How old is the game Flinch?

Parker Brothers began selling Flinch in 1904, although the game may have been around for about 10 years before that.

How many cards are in a Flinch game?

135 cards are used in a Classic Flinch game. (9 of each number 1 to 15)

126 are used in the Fast Flinch version of the game. (9 of each number 1 to 13 plus 9 wild cards).

In a standard Flinch Game Box there will be 144 cards in the contents (9 of each number 1 to 15 plus 9 wild cards).

Conclusion

Flinch, a game of strategy and quick thinking, offers endless fun and challenge. Whether playing with family or friends, the key to success lies in careful planning and keen observation.

Remember, every card counts and every move can be a game-changer. So, now you know how to play Flinch gather your cards, sharpen your strategy, and get ready to flinch your way to victory!

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