AMIGO Games - Linko! (Abluxxen) Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

Welcome to Linko! (also known as Abluxxen), an exciting card-nicking strategy game from AMIGO Games. This manual provides comprehensive instructions to help you understand the game's components, setup, and rules, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all players.

Linko! challenges players to strategically play number cards to score points while navigating the risk of having their cards stolen by opponents. Success in Linko! requires careful planning and adaptability.

Players: 2-5 players

Recommended Age: 10+ years

Playing Time: Approximately 20 minutes

2. What's in the Box

Your Linko! game box contains the following components:

• 110 Game Cards
• 1 Rulebook (this manual)

Figure 2.1: Front view of the Linko! game box, featuring the game title and a lynx illustration.

Figure 2.2: Back view of the Linko! game box, detailing game components, basic rules, and manufacturer information.

3. Game Components Overview

The 110 game cards consist of number cards and Joker cards. Understanding these cards is key to playing Linko! effectively.

• Number Cards: Cards numbered 1 through 13. There are multiple copies of each number, distinguished by different colored lynx illustrations.
• Joker Cards: Special cards that can be used strategically during gameplay.

Figure 3.1: A selection of Linko! number cards, illustrating the range from 1 to 13 and their distinct color variations.

Figure 3.2: Examples of Linko! card backs and a Joker card, identifiable by the 'X' symbol.

4. Setup

Follow these steps to set up your Linko! game:

1. Shuffle all 110 game cards thoroughly.
2. Deal cards to each player based on the number of players:
   • 2 Players: Deal 13 cards to each player.
   • 3 Players: Deal 10 cards to each player.
   • 4 Players: Deal 8 cards to each player.
   • 5 Players: Deal 7 cards to each player.
3. Place the remaining cards face down in the center of the playing area to form the draw pile.
4. The player who most recently saw a lynx (or a cat, if no lynx) goes first. Otherwise, the youngest player starts.

Figure 4.1: Illustration of the draw pile and a player's hand of cards during game setup.

5. Operating (How to Play)

5.1 Game Objective

The objective of Linko! is to collect the most cards in your personal stack by the end of the game.

5.2 Gameplay Turn Structure

On your turn, you must play one or more cards of the same value from your hand onto your personal play area, forming a "stack."

After playing cards, you have the opportunity to "nick" (steal) cards from an opponent's stack if certain conditions are met.

5.3 Playing Cards

Choose one or more cards of the same numerical value from your hand. Place them face up in front of you. These cards form your current "play."

Example: You can play three '7's, or two '10's, or a single '5'.

Using Joker Cards: Joker cards are wild and can represent any number. When played, a Joker takes on the value of the other cards it is played with. If played alone, it takes on a value of your choice.

5.4 Stealing (Nicking) Cards

After playing your cards, compare your played cards to the top cards of any opponent's stack. You can steal an opponent's stack if:

• You played the same number of cards as the opponent's stack you wish to steal, AND
• Your played cards have a higher numerical value than the opponent's stack.

If you successfully steal an opponent's stack:

1. Take the stolen cards and add them to your personal stack (face down, to be counted at the end of the game).
2. The opponent whose cards were stolen must then draw new cards from the draw pile equal to the number of cards they just lost. If the draw pile is empty, they draw nothing.

If you play cards but cannot or choose not to steal from an opponent, your played cards remain in your personal play area until your next turn, or until they are stolen by another player.

5.5 End of a Round

A round ends when a player runs out of cards in their hand. When this happens, all players immediately add any cards remaining in their personal play area (not their hand) to their personal stack. The game then proceeds to scoring.

5.6 Scoring

At the end of a round, each player counts the number of cards in their personal stack. Each card in the stack is worth one point. The player with the most cards in their stack wins the round.

For multi-round games, keep track of scores over several rounds. The player with the highest total score after an agreed-upon number of rounds (e.g., 3 or 5 rounds) is the overall winner of Linko!.

6. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity of your Linko! game cards:

• Store cards in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Keep cards clean by handling them with clean, dry hands.
• Avoid bending or creasing the cards.
• Return all cards to the game box after each use to prevent loss or damage.

7. Troubleshooting & FAQ

Q: What if the draw pile runs out?

A: If the draw pile is empty, players who need to draw cards simply do not draw any. The game continues as normal until a player runs out of cards in hand, ending the round.

Q: Can I steal my own cards?

A: No, you can only steal cards from an opponent's stack.

Q: What if multiple players want to steal the same stack?

A: Stealing occurs during a player's turn. Only the active player can attempt to steal. If the active player successfully steals a stack, it is no longer available for other players to steal on their turns.

8. Specifications

9. Warranty and Support

AMIGO Games products are manufactured with high-quality standards. For any questions, concerns, or support regarding your Linko! game, please contact the manufacturer directly.

Manufacturer: Amigo Games Inc.

Address: 5126 South Royal, Atlanta Drive, Tucker GA 30084, USA

Website: www.amigo.games

For additional game resources and videos, please visit: www.amigo.games/videos/linko

Note: Specific warranty details may vary by region. Please refer to the manufacturer's website or contact them directly for the most current warranty information.