Jenga

1 Game Overview

Jenga is the ultimate dexterity game of tension and nerve. Players take turns removing one wooden block from anywhere in the tower and placing it on top. The tower gets taller and wobblier with every move. The player who causes the tower to fall loses.

The name "Jenga" comes from the Swahili word meaning "to build."

2 What's in the Box

• 54 wooden Jenga blocks

3 Setup

1. Stack all blocks in levels of 3, alternating direction each level (18 levels total).
2. The tallest, most stable starting tower is built using the loading tray.
3. The person who built the tower goes last. Play proceeds in any agreed order (youngest first is traditional).

4 How to Play

1. On your turn, use only one hand to remove any block from any level below the topmost complete level.
2. You may use both hands to steady the tower while choosing a block, but only one hand to slide the block out.
3. Once you've touched a block, you must play that block (or you can replace it and choose another, but once moved significantly, it must be played).
4. Place the removed block on top of the tower (perpendicular to the layer below it).
5. Your turn ends 10 seconds after placing your block on top, or when the next player touches a block.

5 Winning

The player who causes the tower to fall loses (or in team play, the team). The winner is the last person to successfully remove and place a block before the tower falls.

6 Strategy Tips

• Test blocks before committing. Gently nudge blocks to feel which ones are loose. The looser, the safer.
• Go for the middle block first. The center block in each row is usually easiest to remove without destabilizing the tower.
• Use one finger to probe. Tap along a row to find which blocks have wiggle room.
• Don't rush. Take your time, especially late game. A slow, steady pull beats a quick jerk every time.
• Leave uneven towers for your opponent. If one side is heavy, take from the heavy side to make it worse for the next person.