๐ŸŽฏ Ways to Play
Circuit Sibz can be played in three distinct modes:

๐Ÿ”ฅ 1. Pressure Mode (Default)

Race to empty your hand.

๐Ÿง  2. Collapse Mode (Strategic Variant)

Win by having the fewest cards when the system closes.

โšก 3. Solo Mode โ€” Wave Builder

Build the largest possible system alone.


๐Ÿ”ง Setup (Multiplayer)

  1. Shuffle the 72-card deck.
  2. Deal:
    • 2 players โ†’ 7 cards each
    • 3โ€“4 players โ†’ 5 cards each
  3. Place 1 card face-up in the center โ€” this is the Live Tile.
  4. Place remaining cards face-down as the Draw Pile.
  5. Players keep hands face-up (open information).*
  6. Choose a starting player.

(*You can optionally play with hidden hands for increased tension.)


๐Ÿ”Œ Core Placement Rule

On your turn, place one card that connects to the network.

A card is playable if:

  • At least one port on the card matches
  • One exposed Live Port in the network.

Only one matching connection is required.

Cards may be rotated freely before placement.

A card may not be placed unless at least one port connects.

Additional matching ports connect only if intentionally aligned.


๐Ÿงฉ Live Ports

A Live Port is any exposed connector not attached to another card.

  • Each visible connector counts individually.
  • When two matching ports connect, those two ports are no longer live.
  • All other exposed connectors remain live.

๐Ÿ” If You Cannot Play

If you cannot legally place a card:

  1. Draw one card at a time from the Draw Pile.
  2. Stop when you draw a playable card.
  3. Play it immediately.
  4. Keep all other drawn cards.

If the Draw Pile empties before you draw a playable card:

  • Your turn ends.
  • You do not place a card.

๐Ÿงฉ Structural Closure

Structural Closure occurs when a card is placed and there are zero live ports remaining in the network.

When this happens, the game ends immediately.


๐Ÿ”ฅ PRESSURE MODE (Default)

A player wins immediately if they:

โ€ข Play their final card
AND
โ€ข Have zero cards remaining.

If the game ends due to:

โ€ข Structural Closure
OR
โ€ข Draw Pile exhaustion and no legal moves

Then:

  • The player with the fewest cards wins.
  • If tied โ†’ The most recent player to place a card wins.

๐Ÿง  COLLAPSE MODE (Strategic Variant)

In Collapse Mode:

โ€ข Emptying your hand does NOT trigger an immediate win.

The game only ends by:

โ€ข Structural Closure
OR
โ€ข Total lock (no legal moves + empty Draw Pile)

When the game ends:

  • Fewest cards wins.
  • Tie โ†’ Most recent placement wins.

Collapse Mode emphasizes long-range structural planning.


โšก SOLO MODE โ€” Wave Builder


Setup

Shuffle deck.
Place 1 Live Tile.
Draw 5 cards.
Remaining cards form Draw Pile.


Play

No turns.
Play any legal card.
Continue building as long as possible.


Wave Rule

If you empty your hand:

Draw 5 new cards immediately.


If Stuck

Draw 3 cards.
Continue building.


Solo End Condition

The game ends when:

  • The Draw Pile is empty
    AND
  • No legal placements remain.

Solo Scoring Ladder

0โ€“20 โ†’ System Collapse
21โ€“40 โ†’ Partial Network
41โ€“55 โ†’ Stable Grid
56โ€“71 โ†’ Master Builder
72 โ†’ Full System Achieved