Zetre

What is it?

Instructions

Example

Game Variations

Submit your own Variations

Basic Game Instructions

Players: 2-8
Ages: 12 and up

Object of the game:
Be the first player to discard all the cards in your hand by forming combinations of the dice values that equal the value of cards in your hand.

Setup:

Players decide the values of the non-numeric cards. The default is to have the "Z" be worth 11, the "Ê" to be 12, the "T" to be 13, the "R" to be 14, and the "E" to be 15.
Each player is dealt 7 cards. The remaining cards form the "Draw Pile".

Instructions:
Players take turns rolling the dice and starting the timer from round to round. At the beginning of the round, one player rolls the dice while another starts the timer. All players play at the same time using the dice values rolled.

Players have 30 seconds to discard as many cards as they can by forming combinations of the dice that equal card values in their hands.

Players can add, subtract, multiply, and divide the numbers on the dice in any order. They can use any of the four operations in any order and however many times they like. They must use all three dice values and they can only use each value once.

A valid combination is when the card value equals the numeric result of a mathematical operation involving all three dice. Take a look at the sample that appears at the end of the instructions.

Players can make as many different combinations as they can to discard as many cards as they can.

Cards are discarded face down so other players cannot see them.

The round is over when the time limit is up. At the end of the round, each player turns their discarded cards face up and has to successfully explain how they were able to discard each card. If they cannot successfully explain the reasoning, they must pick up the invalid card(s) and draw an additional card from the Draw Pile for each invalid card they discarded as a penalty.

If a player cannot discard any card during the round, they must draw a card from the Draw Pile when the round is over.

The next round starts with the next player rolling the dice and starting the timer.

Play continues until one player has no cards remaining.

The first player to discard all their cards is the winner!

Highlights

All 3 dice must be used in forming the relationship with the card(s).
Only common math operations can be used: addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (x), and division (/).
Parenthesis can also be used.
Dice values can be used in any order but may only be used once each.
Mathematical operators can be used more than once and operations can be performed in any order.
A valid combination is when the card value equals the numeric result of a mathematical operation involving all three dice.
Multiple combinations can be made during the same roll to allow a player to discard as many cards as possible.
There is a 30 second time limit per person starting at the moment the dice are rolled.
Cards are discarded face down and not turned over until the round is over.
Player must be able to successfully explain the reasoning why each card they discard is valid at the end of the round.
If a player cannot successfully explain the relationship, they must pick the card back up and take a one-card penalty from the Draw Pile.
In the event a player cannot remove at least one card within the time limit, they must draw an additional card from the Draw Pile.
In the event the Draw Pile runs out of cards, the Discard Pile should be shuffled and turned into the Draw Pile.

Example

Suppose the following dice are rolled:

Player A has the following cards: 2, 5, 9, 10, and 12.
Player B has the following cards: 1, 7, 7, 8, and 11.

Players have 30 seconds to get rid of as many cards as they can.

Player A can discard the following cards:

the 2, 9, 10 and 12.
Reasoning:

The Two can be discarded because (5 - 3) x 1 = 2.
The Nine can be discarded because 1 + 3 + 5 = 9.
The Ten can be discarded because (3 - 1) x 5 = 10.
The Twelve can be discarded because (5 - 1) x 3 = 12.

Player B can discard the following cards:
the 1, both 7s, and 8.
Reasoning:

The One can be discarded because 5 - 3 - 1 = 1.
The Sevens can be discarded because 3 + 5 - 1 = 7.
The Eight can be discarded because (3 + 5) x 1 = 8.

The cards are all discarded face down. They are turned over when the time limit is up. If Player B incorrectly discarded the 11, they would have to pick it up and take a one card penalty. Each player has cards remaining so another round is needed - the dice are rolled and the timer is started. Player A is trying to discard the 5 and Player B is trying to discard the 11. The first Player to discard all their cards wins!

Variations

Zêtre can be adjusted to any age or skill level. View the variations.