Rules
of Bonk
Rules of Bonk
BONK is a card game where up to 5 players strive to create different combinations, over a series of 7 rounds. The overall goal is to accumulate the lowest score by strategically collecting and playing certain sets of three-of-a-kinds and straights, utilising wild two’s and taking advantage of the unique "BONK” feature. Play it with your friends or challenge our cheeky bots, Elisabot and Botson.
Invite players
Create a game and receive a 4-digit PIN for others to join. A maximum of 5 players can participate. Players will be placed in the lobby and the game starts when all players are ready!
Game Setup
The game centers around a draw and discard pile, with the players around it. Depending on the round, each player is dealt a certain amount of cards. The game is played with 2 deck of cards.
Game play
There are a total of 7 rounds and every round brings a new challenge, always consisting of three-of-a-kinds and/or straights. Players take turns drawing a card from the draw pile OR the discard pile, hoping to get the cards needed to complete the round. When a player has the complete set, they may reveal it and place it onto the table. First player to get rid of all cards on their hands, wins that round.
Your turn
- Draw a card from either the draw- or the discard pile.
- Aim to complete the round’s required sets.
- When you complete the round’s goal, select your cards in order and press ‘Reveal’.
- After you revealed, you can add cards to any of the revealed sets on the table.
- Finish your turn by discarding a card onto the discard pile.
You win the round by getting rid of all the cards on your hand. All other players count their points from the cards remaining on their hand. Cards on the table is worth 0 points. Several players can reveal cards and thus reducing their points but there can only be one winner per round, who scores 0 points.
Three-of-a-kind
A three-of-a-kind is at least 3 cards of the same value, for example 3 jacks. Since there are 2 decks in play, you could theoretically have up to 8 of the same value (plus any additional Wild Two’s). You can never lay down 2 three-of-a-kinds of of the same value.
Example: Two different three-of-a kinds, both valid. It’s ok to have 2 hearts of seven in the same set.
Straight
A straight is at least four cards in sequential order, all of the same suit. It may start or end with the ace (as 1 or 14), but it can’t go around, for example king, ace, two, three. If more than 1 straight is required for the hand, they must be in different suits, as in the example below. A wild two can replace any card in the straight.
Example: Two different straights, both valid. Note that it’s ok to place them in any direction.
The 7 rounds of Bonk
Every round brings a new challenging set to try to complete. You get one additional card in your hand each round, starting with 7 and ending with 13. The final round has the most challenging set and includes special rules, see “Final round”.
Round 1
7 cards are dealt. For the first round the requirement to reveal your hand is 2 three-of-a-kinds of different values.
Round 2
8 cards are dealt. For the second round the requirement to reveal your hand is 1 three-of-a-kind and 1 straight, see example.
Round 3
9 cards are dealt. For the third round the requirement to reveal your hand is 2 straights of different suits, see example.
Round 4
10 cards are dealt. For the forth round the requirement to reveal your hand is 3 three-of-a-kinds. They all have to be of different value. This is usually a quite quick round!
Round 5
11 cards are dealt. For the fifth round the requirement to reveal your hand is 2 three-of-a-kinds of different value and 1 straight. Not to be mixed up with round 6!
Round 6
12 cards are dealt. For the sixth round the requirement to reveal your set is 1 three-of-a-kind and 2 straights of different suits. Not to be mixed up with round 5!
Final round
13 cards are dealt. The final round has special rules. First there is the extra long straight, containing of at least 7 cards. Secondly, you are not allowed to reveal any cards until EVERY card fits into your required hand, even the last card you pick up. This means you can't discard a card after you've revealed your cards. The first person revealing their hand will be the winner of the round, everyone else will gain a lot of points.
Bonk!
During another player’s turn, you may shout “BONK!” to claim the discarded card. Once the current player draws a card, the BONK window closes. They may allow it or keep it. If accepted, you take the card but must also draw a penalty card. Only one player can BONK, and play then continues. The current player may take the underlying card, which can’t be BONKed. It’s not allowed to BONK during the first round.
Tip! Use BONK tactically. Not only to grab a needed card, but also to cycle through the deck faster. If and opponent is close to meldning, that extra card can give you more options and another chance to pull the card you need before your next turn!
Wild two’s!
These are the Wild Two’s. They can replace any card in the game and don’t follow number or suit. You can also play them as regular two’s, but you can’t discard them. If you’re still holding a Wild Two when the round ends, it will give you high scores for that round. Once placed in a combination, a Wild Two can’t be replaced, so choose wisely!
Example: Three-of-a-kind including a wild two.
Completing a set
When you meet the round’s goal, you may reveal your set on the table. A set must be fully completed to be revealed (for example, both three-of-a-kinds if that is the requirement). Revealed cards score 0 points. If you have only one card left after revealing, discard it to win the round. If you have more cards remaining, you may continue playing by adding cards to revealed sets, both your own and other players’.
How to reveal cards.
Arrange your completed set in the correct order, then tap the cards to select them. When all cards in the set are highlighted, press Reveal to place them on the table.
Get rid of your last cards
After revealing your own set, you may add cards to your own or other players’ revealed sets to get rid of your remaining cards. This can only be done during your turn. Other players may add cards to your revealed sets only after they have revealed their own. Wild Twos cannot be replaced once revealed.
Scoring
At the end of each round all cards, still left in each player’s hand will be counted and pile up on the total score of the player. Different cards cost differently and the goal is to score as little points as possible. Cards on the table are worth 0 points.
5 points
All cards between 3-9 are worth 5 points.
10 points
All cards between 10-13 are worth 10 points.
20 points
Aces are worth 20 points.
25 points
Wild two’s are worth 25 points.
Ending the game
When the 7th and final round is over, the whole game is over. As this round usually holds a lot of points for everyone except for the winner, things can really turn around at the end. Players add up their scores from all 7 rounds, and the one with the LOWEST score is declared the winner of the whole game of BONK.
