Multiplier

A simple pen and paper game for two players. Beginners should use a 3x3 grid at first, so just draw a tic-tac-toe board and you're ready to go! The game starts on an empty board. Before the match begins the players must choose a set of numbers equivalent to the number of spaces on the board. Since a 3x3 grid is 9 spaces you could use 1-9, 2-10, or 3-11 for example. The most popular sequence so far has been 2-10. To play you take turns writing a number from the set in an empty space. Each number can only be used once. The match is over when the board is full. One player's score is the product (remember, product means multiply) of each row added up and the other player's score is the product of each column added up, so make sure you decide which player is which before you start. Highest score wins. Draws go to whichever player DOESN'T move last. Use the pie rule for balance. Some opening moves are strong, and some are weak, try to figure out the most balanced options. The pattern of winning and losing choices is interesting. For a co-op game try to create draws! Draws are extremely rare and difficult to create. —description from the designer