How do you play Qwixx?

In Qwixx, on your turn you roll 6 dice (2 white + 4 colored). All players score the sum of the two white dice. The active player may also lock in one colored die + one white die on their own sheet. The game ends when a player passes on both options twice (penalties) or when two rows are locked.

How do you lock a row in Qwixx?

You lock a row by marking the rightmost number in that row (12 for red/yellow going left-to-right, 2 for green/blue going right-to-left) and having at least 5 marks in the row. Locking scores a bonus mark and removes that die from future rolls.

What are penalties in Qwixx?

If the active player cannot or chooses not to use either the white dice sum or the colored die option, they mark a penalty (-5 pts each) on their sheet. Four penalties ends the game.

What is a good Qwixx score?

Scores above 60 are solid. Expert players regularly score 80–100+. The theoretical maximum is around 120+ with perfect locking sequences.

Can non-active players score colored dice?

No — only the active player may use the colored+white combination. All players may use the white dice sum.

How does scoring work in Qwixx?

Each row uses triangular scoring: 1 mark = 1 pt, 2 = 3, 3 = 6, 4 = 10, 5 = 15, 6 = 21, 7 = 28, 8 = 36, 9 = 45, 10 = 55, 11 = 66, 12 = 78. Add all four row scores and subtract 5 for each penalty.

Qwixx Rules, How to Play Qwixx

The fast, addictive roll-and-write dice game. Cross off numbers strategically across four colored rows before your sheet fills up.

1 What Is Qwixx?

Qwixx (pronounced "kwix") is a roll-and-write dice game for 2–5 players designed by Steffen Benndorf, published by Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag. It plays in 15 minutes and is genuinely engaging for all ages. Each player has a scoresheet with four colored rows of numbers; on each turn, everyone tries to cross off numbers and build up scores before two rows get locked out or penalties pile up.

Qwixx won the Spiel des Jahres Recommended Game award in 2013 and is one of the most acclaimed filler games ever designed. The magic is that every player participates on every roll, there is no downtime.

2 Setup

Give each player a scoresheet and a pen or pencil.
The sheet has four rows: Red (2–12, left to right), Yellow (2–12), Green (12–2, right to left), Blue (12–2).
The active player rolls 6 dice: 2 white, 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green, 1 blue.
Determine who goes first. Play clockwise.

3 How to Play Qwixx

On the active player's turn:

Roll all 6 dice.
Everyone (including non-active players) may cross off the number equal to the sum of the two white dice in any row they choose.
The active player only may additionally cross off the sum of one colored die + one white die in the matching colored row.
The active player must take at least one of these options. If they take neither, they mark a penalty.
Non-active players may take the white sum, take nothing (no penalty), or any combo they see fit.

Critical rule: You must always mark numbers from left to right in red and yellow, and right to left in green and blue. Once you cross off a number, all numbers to its left (or right, for green/blue) in that row are permanently skipped, you can never go back.

4 Qwixx Scoring

Each row scores based on how many marks you made using a triangular progression:

Marks in Row	Points
1	1
2	3
3	6
4	10
5	15
6	21
7	28
8	36
9	45
10	55
11	66
12	78

Sum all four rows and subtract 5 points per penalty. Highest total wins.

5 Locking Rows

To lock a row, you must mark the final number (12 for red/yellow, 2 for green/blue) and have at least 5 marks in that row. When you do, mark the lock box for a bonus cross, then remove that colored die from the game.

When two rows are locked, the game ends immediately. All players finish scoring their sheets.

Rows can also be locked by other players, if someone else locks your target row before you're ready, you lose access to those numbers.

6 Qwixx Strategy Tips

Concentrate on two rows. Spreading thin across all four rows yields low triangular scores. Commit to two rows and push them deep.
Middle numbers are safest early. Starting with 7s and 8s in red/yellow gives you flexibility to go both directions before committing.
Extreme numbers (2, 12) are high-value. Getting 12 in red/yellow or 2 in green/blue unlocks the lock bonus. Push toward the ends once you have enough marks.
Don't skip the white dice. Every roll gives everyone a free number, use the white sum even if it's not ideal. Passed opportunities add up.
Watch opponents' rows. If someone is about to lock a row you're invested in, accelerate or abandon it.

7 Frequently Asked Questions

How do you play Qwixx?: In Qwixx, on your turn you roll 6 dice (2 white + 4 colored). All players score the sum of the two white dice. The active player may also lock in one colored die + one white die on their own sheet. The game ends when a player passes on both options twice (penalties) or when two rows are locked.
How do you lock a row in Qwixx?: You lock a row by marking the rightmost number in that row (12 for red/yellow going left-to-right, 2 for green/blue going right-to-left) and having at least 5 marks in the row. Locking scores a bonus mark and removes that die from future rolls.
What are penalties in Qwixx?: If the active player cannot or chooses not to use either the white dice sum or the colored die option, they mark a penalty (-5 pts each) on their sheet. Four penalties ends the game.
What is a good Qwixx score?: Scores above 60 are solid. Expert players regularly score 80–100+. The theoretical maximum is around 120+ with perfect locking sequences.
Can non-active players score colored dice?: No, only the active player may use the colored+white combination. All players may use the white dice sum.
How does scoring work in Qwixx?: Each row uses triangular scoring: 1 mark = 1 pt, 2 = 3, 3 = 6, 4 = 10, 5 = 15, 6 = 21, 7 = 28, 8 = 36, 9 = 45, 10 = 55, 11 = 66, 12 = 78. Add all four row scores and subtract 5 for each penalty.

Qwixx Rules