kumata
Kumata is a fast-paced domino game that breaks the classic rules. Instead of aligning dominoes, you stack them to build a vibrant 3D jungle canopy where only the visible tiles score points. Outsmart your opponents by covering their tiles while protecting your own!
LB_NUMBER_OF_PLAYERS: 2 - 4
Game duration: 13 mn
Complexity: 2 / 5
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Play kumata and 1272 other games online.
No download, directly from your web browser.
With your friends and thousands of players from the whole world.
Free.
Rules summary
Game Overview
In Kumata, different animal clans compete for dominance in the jungle. By tactically stacking dominoes, players try to keep their clan symbols visible on the highest levels. It is a vertical tile-placement game where height translates directly into points.
Goal of the Game
Score the most points through your visible clan symbols and your placed totem marker at the end of the game.
Setup Details
- 3-4 Players: Use 10 dominoes per clan (Monkey, Snake, Toucan, or Tiger), split into two face-up stacks of 5.
- 2 Players: Use the Hippo and Crocodile clans (15 dominoes each, three stacks of 5). Flip board tiles to the 2-player side.
Gameplay
On your turn, you must perform exactly one of these two actions:
1. Place a Domino
Take the top domino from one of your stacks and place it.
- Level 1: Must be placed on two empty board squares.
- Higher Levels (Stability Rule): A domino can never perfectly cover a single domino below it. It must always bridge across or touch at least two different dominoes/squares underneath.
- Matching values: Each half of the domino must cover a matching value. It doesn't matter what color it is (including your own).
2. Place the Totem (only once per game)
Instead of placing a domino, place your totem on an empty half of one of your dominoes already on the board.
- Protection: A space with a totem can no longer be built over.
Scoring Specifics
| Element | Points at Game End |
|---|---|
| Visible Domino Halfs | You score the visible points from your clan’s halves |
| Empty Halves | Domino halves without a symbol score 0 points, regardless of their level. |
| The Totem | Scores points equal to the level it sits on +1 (e.g., Level 3 = 4 pts). |
| Penalty | If the totem is still in your reserve at the end, subtract 1 point. |
Game End
The game ends immediately when the active player cannot make a legal move. No other players take further turns.
Variants
- Maze Mode: Arrange the 9 board tiles freely (connected by at least one side) instead of a 3x3 grid.
- Alliance Mode (4 Players): Play 2 vs 2. Teammates sit opposite each other and combine their final scores.