Sleeping Queens is a whimsical and strategic card game that has captured the hearts of families and board game enthusiasts alike. Invented by a 6-year-old, this game offers a unique blend of fun and strategy, making it a favorite for game nights. Its popularity continues to grow, thanks to its engaging mechanics and charming artwork.
Designed for players aged 8 and up, Sleeping Queens accommodates 2 to 5 players, making it versatile for both small and larger groups. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the world of card games, Sleeping Queens promises an enjoyable experience that combines memory, strategy, and a touch of luck.
I. Contents of the Game
Sleeping Queens comes with a variety of cards, each playing a crucial role in the game. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find:
- Queens: These are the stars of the game. Each queen card has a unique point value and special powers. The goal is to awaken and collect these queens to win.
- Kings: Play a King to wake up a sleeping queen from the center and add her to your collection. Kings are essential for building your points.
- Jesters: Jesters add an element of chance. Playing a Jester allows you to draw a card, which can either give you another turn or trigger a fun counting game to win a queen.
- Knights: Use a Knight to steal an awakened queen from another player. Knights can turn the tide in your favor but watch out for Dragons!
- Sleeping Potions: Put an opponent’s queen back to sleep with a Sleeping Potion. This can thwart their progress, but they can counter with a Wand.
- Wands: Wands counter Sleeping Potions, keeping your queens awake and safe from being put back to sleep.
- Dragons: Dragons counter Knights, protecting your queens from being stolen. Discard both cards when this happens, and each player draws a new card.
- Number Cards: These cards, ranging from 1 to 10, are used to perform arithmetic actions. Discard single, pairs, or sets that add up to draw new cards, keeping your hand fresh and strategic.
II. Objectives
In Sleeping Queens, the objective is to be the first player to collect a certain number of queens or achieve a set point total. The win conditions vary based on the number of players:
- For 2-3 Players: The game ends when a player collects 5 queens or accumulates 50 points. Points are tallied based on the values on the queen cards.
- For 4-5 Players: The goal is to collect 4 queens or reach 40 points. This adjustment ensures a balanced game regardless of the number of participants.
Alternatively, the game can also conclude when all the queens in the center have been awakened. In this scenario, the player with the highest total points wins. This ensures that the game remains dynamic and competitive until the very end.
III. Sleeping Queens Setup
Step-by-Step Instructions for Setting Up the Game
- Separate the Cards:
- Divide the deck into two piles based on the card backs. The green-backed cards are the queens, while the red-backed cards are the action and number cards.
- Shuffle the Queens:
- Shuffle the 12 queen cards thoroughly and place them face down in the center of the playing area, forming a grid of four rows with three cards each. These are the sleeping queens.
- Shuffle and Deal the Action Cards:
- Shuffle the red-backed deck. Deal five cards to each player. Place the remaining deck face down next to the grid of sleeping queens to form the draw pile. Leave space for a discard pile next to the draw pile.
- Prepare for Play:
- Each player looks at their hand but keeps it hidden from their opponents.
Tips for First-Time Players
- Familiarize with the Cards: Before starting, take a moment to look through the different types of cards (Queens, Kings, Jesters, Knights, Sleeping Potions, Wands, Dragons, Number Cards) and understand their functions.
- Strategic Placement: Pay attention to the initial layout of the sleeping queens. Remembering their positions can be advantageous when using certain action cards.
- Balance Your Hand: Aim to have a mix of action and number cards. This balance will offer more strategic options during your turns.
- Observe Opponents: Keep an eye on what cards other players are discarding. This can provide clues about their strategies and help you plan your moves accordingly.
IV. Gameplay Overview
- Turn Order:
- The player to the left of the dealer goes first. Play then proceeds clockwise around the table.
- Taking a Turn:
- On your turn, you can take one of the following actions:
- Play a King: Awaken a sleeping queen from the center and add her to your collection.
- Play a Knight: Steal an awakened queen from another player.
- Play a Sleeping Potion: Put an opponent’s awakened queen back to sleep.
- Play a Jester: Draw a card to see if you get another turn or start a counting game to win a queen.
- Discard Number Cards: Discard one or more number cards to draw new cards. You can discard a single card, a pair of identical cards, or sets that form an arithmetic sequence.
- On your turn, you can take one of the following actions:
- Drawing Cards:
- After taking an action, draw enough cards to return your hand to five cards.
- Special Actions:
- Dragons and Wands: Use these cards to counter Knights and Sleeping Potions, respectively.
- Unique Queens: Some queens, like the Rose Queen, have special abilities when awakened.
- Game Flow:
- Players continue taking turns, using their cards strategically to awaken queens and disrupt opponents.
- The game ends when a player meets the win conditions based on the number of players, or when all queens have been awakened. The player with the most points at this stage wins.
V. Actions on Your Turn
Playing a King to Awaken a Queen
When you play a King card, place it on the discard pile and choose any of the face-down sleeping queens in the center. Flip the chosen queen face-up and place her in front of you. If you awaken the Rose Queen, you immediately get to wake up another queen as a bonus.
Example: You play a King and choose a queen. It’s the Rose Queen! You then pick another sleeping queen, awakening both.
Playing a Knight to Steal a Queen
Playing a Knight allows you to steal an awakened queen from an opponent. Place the Knight on the discard pile and take any queen from another player, placing her in front of you.
Example: You play a Knight to steal the Dragon Queen from another player. They can’t stop you unless they have a Dragon card to counter your move.
Playing a Sleeping Potion to Put a Queen Back to Sleep
Use a Sleeping Potion to put an opponent’s awakened queen back to sleep. Place the Sleeping Potion on the discard pile, choose an awakened queen, and place her face-down back in the center grid.
Example: You play a Sleeping Potion to put your opponent’s Rainbow Queen back to sleep. They can counter this move with a Wand card if they have one.
Playing a Jester for a Chance to Wake a Queen or Get Another Turn
When you play a Jester, place it on the discard pile and flip over the top card of the draw pile. If it’s a power card (King, Knight, etc.), add it to your hand and take another turn. If it’s a number card, start counting from yourself and proceed clockwise until the number is reached. The player who says the last number gets to wake a sleeping queen.
Example: You play a Jester and flip a 5. Starting with yourself, count off five players. The fifth player awakens a queen.
Discarding Number Cards to Draw New Cards
You can discard one or more number cards to draw new cards. The ways to discard are:
- Single Card: Discard one card to draw one new card.
- Pair: Discard two identical cards to draw two new cards.
- Equation: Discard three or more cards that form a valid addition equation to draw an equal number of new cards.
Example: You have cards 2, 3, and 5. You discard them because 2 + 3 = 5, and draw three new cards.
VI. Special Queen Powers
Rose Queen
The Rose Queen is a unique card with a special ability that sets her apart from the other queens. When you awaken the Rose Queen, you immediately get to choose another sleeping queen to wake up. This can give you a significant advantage by quickly increasing your collection.
Cat Queen and Dog Queen
The Cat Queen and Dog Queen are rivals in the game. You cannot hold both of these queens at the same time due to their conflicting nature. If you already have the Cat Queen and awaken the Dog Queen, you must put her back to sleep, and vice versa. This rule adds a layer of strategy, requiring you to remember which queens you have and plan your moves accordingly.
Rainbow Queen and Strawberry Queen
The Rainbow Queen and Strawberry Queen are special because they cannot be stolen or put back to sleep. Knights and Sleeping Potions have no effect on these queens, making them highly valuable and safe once you awaken them.
These special powers add depth and excitement to Sleeping Queens, requiring players to think strategically about which queens to awaken and when to use their action cards.
VII. Ending the Game
Conditions for Ending the Game
The game of Sleeping Queens ends when one of the following conditions is met:
- 2-3 Players: The game concludes when a player collects 5 queens or accumulates 50 points.
- 4-5 Players: The game ends when a player collects 4 queens or reaches 40 points.
- All Queens Awakened: If all the queens in the center have been awakened and added to players’ collections, the game ends.
Determining the Winner
To determine the winner, count the points on the collected queens. Each queen has a point value displayed on the card. The player with the highest total points wins the game. If there is a tie, the tied players share the victory.
Examples of Scoring
- Example 1: In a 3-player game, Alice has 4 queens worth 10, 15, 5, and 20 points, totaling 50 points. Bob has 5 queens worth 5, 10, 10, 10, and 15 points, totaling 50 points. Since Alice and Bob both reach 50 points, the game ends, and they share the victory.
- Example 2: In a 4-player game, Carol has 4 queens worth 5, 10, 5, and 10 points, totaling 30 points. Dave has 4 queens worth 10, 15, 5, and 10 points, totaling 40 points. Dave wins the game by reaching the 40-point threshold first.
By understanding the endgame conditions and scoring examples, players can strategize effectively to secure their victory in Sleeping Queens.
VIII. Strategy Tips to Win Sleeping Queens
Remember Queen Positions and Point Values
A key strategy in Sleeping Queens is to remember the positions and point values of the queens. As queens are awakened and put back to sleep, keeping track of their locations can give you an edge. Knowing where the high-point queens are can help you plan your moves more effectively.
Strategic Use of Power Cards
- Kings: Use your Kings wisely to awaken the most valuable queens. Holding onto a King until you can target a high-value queen or the Rose Queen can maximize your points.
- Knights and Dragons: When using a Knight to steal a queen, anticipate possible counters. If your opponent might have a Dragon, consider waiting or using the Knight when you have a backup plan.
- Sleeping Potions and Wands: Timing is crucial when using Sleeping Potions. Target opponents who are close to winning or who hold high-value queens. Be ready with a Wand to defend your own queens from being put back to sleep.
Balancing Your Hand
Maintaining a balanced hand with a mix of number and power cards provides flexibility. Discarding strategically to draw new cards can help you adapt to changing game dynamics and keep your options open.
Timing Your Moves
Patience can be a virtue in Sleeping Queens. Don’t rush to use all your powerful cards early on. Waiting for the right moment can make a significant difference, especially in the later stages of the game when the competition is tighter.
By keeping these strategies in mind, you’ll be better prepared to outmaneuver your opponents and secure victory in Sleeping Queens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the draw pile runs out?
If the draw pile runs out of cards, simply shuffle the discard pile to form a new draw pile. This ensures continuous play without interruption.
Can the Rose Queen take another queen if she is stolen?
No, the Rose Queen only takes another queen with her when she is awakened from the center. If she is stolen by a Knight, she does not take an additional queen.
What happens if I forget to play a Dragon or Wand immediately?
You must play a Dragon to counter a Knight or a Wand to counter a Sleeping Potion immediately. If you miss your chance, you cannot play it later, and the action proceeds as normal.
Do I need the exact points to win?
No, you do not need the exact points to win. You can go over the required points (50 for 2-3 players, 40 for 4-5 players) to meet the win condition.
Can I wake up both the Cat Queen and the Dog Queen?
No, you cannot simultaneously hold both the Cat Queen and the Dog Queen. If you already have one and wake the other, you must put the new one back to sleep.
