How to Play
Objective
Be the first to make a word to win the points!
Setup
Randomly choose one card from the uppercase letter deck. This is the starting letter for the word. Each player is given seven cards from the deck containing lowercase letters and the bonus cards. The youngest player goes first.
Starting the Game
The first player chooses an appropriate letter to play to begin spelling a word. Players must not tell each other what word they are trying to spell! The word may change throughout the game.
Second Turn and Beyond
Each player takes a turn putting down one card to continuing spelling a word. If the player cannot continue the word with the existing letters, they may either: 1) Place a different letter on top of the most recently played letter to change the word. The value of the old letter continues to count towards the total points for the round. 2) Pull one card from the top of the deck. This can be played immediately if appropriate, either by adding to the word or playing on top of the most recent card. If the new card cannot be played, that is the end of their turn.
Playing Bonus Cards
Bonus cards can be played at the same time as lowercase cards. The lowercase card should be placed on top of the bonus card.
Double for the Winner! Card
The winner of the round gets double the points if this card is played during the round.
Double Card Points! Card
At the end of the round, double the points of the card sitting on top of this card.
??? Card
This card can be played by itself in place of any letter you need. Points earned are equal to the value of the normal lowercase card.
Card Swap! Card
The player can swap any card in their hand with an opponent’s card or choose one from the unplayed decked. This card must be forfeited once used by returning it to the bottom of the deck. The swapped card can be played immediately as part of the turn.
Minus Points! Card
When this card is played, add up all cards played so far in the round. This is the amount the player of the Minus Points card can subtract from an opponent.
Subtracted points are not gained by the person who played the card.
This card must be forfeited once used by returning it to the bottom of the pile. No other cards can be played during the turn.
One Card Rule
When a player reaches one card remaining in their hand, they must shout "AlphaBeetles!" or they must pull another card from the deck.
Bonus Card Finishing Move
The “Double for the Winner” and “Minus Points!” bonus card can also be played independently to finish a word. For example:
Letters Played: "B" - "o" - "o"
The player whose turn it is has no letters to add but holds a bonus card. The player can play this card as their turn.
Unless their opponent can continue the word by placing a card on top of the bonus card, the round is over. The winner is the player of the bonus card, either doubling their win or subtracting the total from their opponent.
Winning the Game
The round continues until a complete word has been spelled out. If no other players can add to or alter the word, the person who finished spelling the word wins the round and collects the points. All played and forfeited cards can then be reshuffled to start the next round with a newly chosen uppercase card.
Play continues until kids get sick of playing, at which time the person with the most points is the grand champion.
Downloads
Lost the rules page and need a reprint? Maybe you want to print some "AlphaBeetle Bingo!" pages? Perhaps you're looking for other games you can also play with the AlphaBeetle cards? Whatever you're looking for, we've got you covered. Click any of the below to download a fresh copy you can print out as many times as you need!
Rules & How to Play
PDF Download
Bingo!
PDF Download or Generate
Other Game Ideas
PDF DownloadActivity Pages
Need something to keep your kids entertained? Here are some printable activity pages to keep them busy! I'll occasionally add new activity pages as I make them, so be sure to check back again in the future. Tweet the finished artwork and mention @AlphaBeetles to show it off! Some characters are from my Biggy Piggy books. I urge you to check them out if you enjoy AlphaBeetles because kids love them!
- Everything
- AlphaBeetles
- Biggy Piggy
Did you know...?
AlphaBeetles is printed, boxed, and shipped on demand by TheGameCrafter.com. This helps us be environmentally friendly by only using the resources needed as and when someone places an order. Excess ink and paper products used in the printing process are recycled, and the UV coating applied to the playing cards increases their durability so they last much longer.
Buy AlphaBeetles Today!History
Here's a little history of the early days and development of AlphaBeetles. From the first, rough printed designs and paper cutouts through to the professionally printed and boxed game you love. Hover over any image to pause the slideshow.
Inkjet Printed Sample
The only surviving home-printed sample from a couple I printed to user-test with my kids. Printed, hand-cut and glued.
First Run Samples
The first ever AlphaBeetles cards printed as samples to test game play. These were printed through a local print shop before I'd found TheGameCrafter.com.
Paper Test of Box
A paper mockup of the box design. Printed, cut, and taped together to test sizing, look, and feel.
First Bingo Games
The first time I ever played AlphaBeetles Bingo with my youngest she beat me 4 - nil. In the final game, she beat me in the first four cards drawn.
Unboxing the First Ever Copy
Unboxing the first ever copy of the full game.
Everything Fresh Out of the Box
All nicely arranged after unboxing. Everything except the rules which I forgot to put in the photo!
AlphaBeetles
NOW here's a photo with the lot. 1 copy of the rules, 120 high-quality cards, and a snazzy box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? I (probably) have answers!
-
Where can I buy AlphaBeetles?
AlphaBeetles is available to order through TheGameCrafter.com for only $24.95.
Psst - There's a 10% discount code somewhere on this page! Save $2.50 and get it for only $22.45!!
-
Why can't I buy AlphaBeetles in stores or on Amazon?
I made AlphaBeetles as a game for my kids to help them with their spelling. I've no idea about how to mass market or distribute a card game, so I went with a make-to-order company that make a copy of the game only when ordered.
-
Can you help settle an interpretation of a rule?
I sure can! Reach out to [email protected] or on Twitter @AlphaBeetles, and I will try to help!
-
I represent a multi-national games company and want to purchase and distribute AlphaBeetles worldwide. Is this something you're interested in?
Okay, this isn't a "frequently" asked questions... but a game designer can dream, can't he? Short answer: Yes, I'd be interested! Reach out to me at [email protected] with your proposal!
-
Who is Morgan Hobbes and what is Biggy Piggy?
Morgan Hobbes is my nom de plume (pen name) I use when writing. I've produced a couple of books in the Biggy Piggy series for kids under this name, which you can find on Amazon as eBook and paperback. • Book 1 - Biggy Piggy • Book 2 - Balloon Rescue!
-
Do you have a 10% Discount Code?
I sure do! Simply use the code:
AWESOME-ALPHABEETLES
Enter the code when you order, or use this link to have it entered automatically! Either way, you'll save 10% off the retail price of AlphaBeetles!