TAC Game Club
Competition
TAC tournament rules
Official rules for TAC tournaments – for fair and exciting competitions at every level
Tournament mode
Tournament basics
TAC tournaments follow clear rules that guarantee a fair and competitive experience.
Team format
Tournaments are played in a 4-player format by default. Two teams of two players each compete against each other.
Scoring
Scoring is based on marbles brought Home—for example, a result of 4:8. It is not the number of wins that decides, but how many marbles a team has brought Home.
Seating arrangement
The seating arrangement is determined before the game and remains unchanged throughout the match. Team partners sit opposite each other.
Card distribution
Cards are always shuffled and dealt face down. Each player holds their cards so that other players cannot see them.
Time limit
90 minutes are allocated for a match. Whenever possible, it will still be played to completion; if that's not possible, the marbles brought Home by then are counted.
Fairness
Teams should settle disputes themselves first—fairly, calmly, and with consideration for inexperienced or younger players. If you cannot reach an agreement, the tournament organisers will decide. TAC is and remains a game.
Scorecard
Each team fills out a result slip: first their own marbles, then the opponent's, as well as the opposing team's name and the start time. One player hands it in centrally immediately after the match.
Result check
Teams are responsible for checking the published results and reporting errors immediately. Incorrectly recorded matches are difficult to resolve later.
Leaving early
Quitting the tournament disrupts everyone's schedule and will be penalized. If you need to leave early, notify the tournament organizers in advance.
Your solution counts
The tournament organizers would prefer it if most of these rules weren't even needed: if you and your fellow players find a fair and peaceful solution, it stands—even if it contradicts these rules. You can still call a referee at any time in case of problems, rule violations, or ambiguities.
Tournament flow
How a TAC tournament works
From registration to the final – a typical tournament day:
Registration & pairing
Teams register before the tournament. The draw determines the group stage or the bracket. All teams are informed before the start of the match.
Group stage
In the group stage, each team plays against several opponents. Marbles brought Home are counted.
Knockout phase
The top teams advance to the knockout rounds. Those who are eliminated usually continue playing in placement games – the tournament is not over.
Final
The two best teams play the final.
Special rules
Special tournament rules
No team communication
Team partners may not provide verbal or non-verbal hints during a turn. Communication is only permitted by playing cards.
Played card counts
Once a card is played, the move is final – it can only be changed beforehand. Every move is completed fully and without interruption from the opponent.
Rule violation
Collusion regarding cards or tactics and secret signs are considered cheating; penalties increase with the severity of the violation. If a player reveals a card during the partner card exchange, plays out of turn, discards a card although a move was possible, announces out loud how far it is to Home, or tells their partner what to do, no player on the team may bring a marble Home during this deal.
Draw
If regular game time expires, the winner is determined by points.
Scoring
Scoring in marbles
Counting marbles
Each game is scored by the number of marbles brought Home – for example, a result of 4:8. Only marbles in the Home area are counted.
Time limit
The 90 minutes are a guideline, not a hard stop: Whenever possible, a match will be played to completion. If that's not possible, there is no winner—only the marbles brought Home are counted. A draw will be avoided whenever possible.
Lateness
If a team is not complete at the start time, the match is scored 4:8 against that team. The opponent and the tournament organizers decide together how long to wait.
Conduct
What is forbidden at the table
Forbidden actions
Forbidden actions include: talking about the game – even between deals –, tactical agreements, obvious stalling of the match, peeking at opponents' cards, insulting players or referees, pre-arranged hand signals, and manipulating cards. Also, you shouldn't count the fields with your fingers until you've played a card – that's a hint for partners and opponents alike. Not everyone finds mental arithmetic easy, so don't be too strict.
The consequence
If a player makes one of these mistakes – intentionally or accidentally – no player on the team may bring a marble Home during this deal. The penalty always affects the entire team.
Deal cards
Cards are dealt individually. The fewest mistakes happen when the dealer distributes them into four piles in front of themselves and then places the piles before the players in turn.
The pesky seven
If a 7 is split across multiple marbles, you can experiment and adjust the marbles involved for as long as the move requires. Clearly announce the end of your move.
The warrior's origin
When you play the Warrior, mark the original field of the capturing marble – otherwise, a subsequent TAC card cannot be executed correctly.
Where the card stack goes
The remaining pile stays with the player after the dealer – they play the first card and will be the next dealer. Played cards stay face-up in front of the player who must shuffle once the pile has been completely played through.
Hand signals
"I can" and "I cannot" should not only be spoken clearly, but also emphasized with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Making a player miss a turn with the 8 can be accompanied by a horizontal movement of the flat hand.
Move visibly
Move your marble so everyone can follow along: don't skip long distances, but move across the fields visibly in single or double steps.
It happens to everyone
If someone plays a card when it's not their turn, or discards the wrong card when they should have played a different one, they must play the card that was revealed at the next legal opportunity.
"Could you?"
There's no rule on how long you can ask or answer "could you?" or "who else could?". But you only have to answer as long as no card has been played yet.
Dealing with the Devil
If the Devil is played, the affected player should try to keep their cards in hand. If they have to hand them over, the player who played the Devil must not rearrange them.
Lucky marbles
You decide which marbles to use. If you bring your own, you'll need the other players' agreement; if no agreement is reached, standard TAC marbles will be drawn by lot.
FAQ
Tournament FAQ
How do I register my team for a tournament?
Contact the organizing club or check the respective club page. Most clubs maintain registration lists on their club page.
Can I participate alone, without a team?
Many clubs offer the option to register as a single player and be randomly assigned a team partner during the tournament. Check with the respective club.
What equipment do I need?
Organizers usually provide game boards and cards. You don't need to bring anything. Some tournaments also allow you to use your own verified equipment.
Are there age groups?
Larger tournaments sometimes distinguish between youth and adult categories. Most local tournaments are mixed-age.
Ready for your first tournament?
Find a club near you and start your TAC tournament career!