Objective of the Game

The goal of Hepta is for players to score the most points by skillfully laying down cards and using combination opportunities. The game ends when no more cards can be drawn and one player has laid down all their cards.

Components

• A deck of cards with numbers 1 to 7 in various colors or suits
• A board or playing area to lay down cards

Setup

1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly.
2. Each player draws seven cards to hold secretly in their hand.
3. The remaining card deck is placed as a draw pile.
4. The player to the left of the dealer starts.

Gameplay

1. Laying down cards: A player may lay down one or more cards during their turn. The cards must form a combination:
2. Same Number: Multiple cards of the same number (e.g., three 5's in different colors).
3. Sequence: Cards in consecutive numerical order in the same color (e.g., 3, 4, 5).
4. If a player can't or doesn't want to lay down cards, they draw a card from the draw pile.
5. The next player takes their turn.

Special Rules

• Heptas: If a player manages to lay down a sequence of seven cards of one color or seven cards of the same number, it is called a "Hepta". This grants an additional bonus of 10 points.
• Blocking: Players can attempt to block others by withholding cards that may be crucial to completing their series or sets.
• End of the Game: The game ends when either a player has laid down all their cards or the draw pile is exhausted, and no legal move can be made.

Scoring

• Each player counts the points from their collected combinations. Any remaining cards in the hand are deducted negatively.
• The player with the highest score wins.

Strategic Tips

• Pay attention to other players to anticipate what cards they might be collecting. Try to thwart their plans.
• Keep cards that allow you to complete multiple potential combinations.
• Think carefully about when to draw a card, as it increases the number of cards in hand, which can count against you negatively.