1 – What is TWEAK?

TWEAK is a dynamic and fun card game that tests players’ mental agility in a highly entertaining way.

Each player’s goal is to form card combinations that, when added together, match a “Target Sum,” which changes every turn.

Throughout the game, players compete to collect the highest-value cards while trying to obtain special TWEAK cards [T!], which allow them to alter the course of the game in their favor.

In addition to mental agility, the game requires strategy, observation, and adaptability.

2 – Basic Information

Players: 2 to 6
Recommended age: 8 and up
Duration: 15–25 minutes
Not recommended for children under 3 years old

3 – Game Components

The game TWEAK consists of 65 cards, divided into three types: numeric cards, TWEAK cards, and one special Target Sum card.

Numeric Cards (54 in total)

They come in 6 colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Each color includes: 2 cards with the number “1”, 2 cards with the number “2”, 2 cards with the number “3”, 1 card with the number “4”, 1 card with the number “5”, 1 card with the number “6”.

The front of the cards shows a value (from 1 to 6), which is used to create sum combinations.

The black back displays a number from 7 to 10, which represents the Target Sum to be reached on each turn.

4 – Before You Start

Depending on the number of players, more or fewer colors are selected to adjust the duration and pace of the game:

🔴 The red cards must always be included, as they have a higher value in the final scoring than cards of other colors.

Player License: The number of cards in play can be freely adjusted to suit your preferences. If you want longer games, simply add an extra color or use the full deck, even with fewer players. On the other hand, if you prefer shorter games, removing a color is enough to reduce the game time.

5 – Setup

Each round, a different player deals. The dealer is the person to the right of the one who dealt in the previous round. For the first round, the dealer is chosen at random.

The [T!] cards are shuffled separately and placed face down on one side of the table.

The special blue card, with the number 7 printed on both sides, is placed on the opposite side of the table.

The numeric cards are shuffled and 3 cards are dealt to each player. Then, 2 cards are placed face up in the center of the table. The remaining cards, with the black back facing up, are placed on top of the blue card to form the Central Deck.

6 – The Turn

Making the Sum: The player uses one card from their hand and combines it with others from the table to reach the Target Sum. The Target Sum is determined by the visible number on the first card of the deck. When the deck runs out, the Target Sum will always be 7, as indicated by the special blue card placed at the end of the deck, which will remain visible on the table. If the player has won a [T!] card during the game, they can use it in their turn as assistance to achieve the Target Sum.

Announcing the Sum: If the Target Sum is reached, the player must say it out loud (for example: “1 plus 3 is 4, plus 2 is 6, plus 3 is 9”) so that the other players can validate the combination. The combined cards are won by the player, and they will keep them face down to count their points at the end of the game.

Winning a TWEAK Card: If the player combines one of their cards with all the cards on the table and leaves none, they must say out loud “TWEAK.” In this way, they win a [T!] action card, which they will keep visible on the table face up and can play in future turns.

If the player cannot sum: If the player cannot combine a Target Sum, they must place one of their cards on the table. It is mandatory to play a card in every turn. It is recommended to play a card that is less useful for the opponents.

Ending the Turn: Always, at the end of their turn, the player draws cards until they have 3 in their hand. If the player has done a “TWEAK” and left the last card without combinations, they must draw 2 cards from the deck so that the next player can continue. If the deck runs out during this process, the player’s hand is replenished first, and then the table. If there aren’t enough cards, the turn continues with the available ones until they are used up.

7 – End of the Round:

The game ends when the Central Deck has been fully depleted, and all players, after taking their final turns one by one, have no cards left in hand.

Any cards left on the table that cannot form valid combinations are discarded and do not grant points to any player.

Once the game is over, each player takes the pile of their won cards (the ones kept face down) and adds up all the points shown in the top-right corner of each card.

8 – End of the Game:

TWEAK is played over multiple rounds. After each round, players record the points they’ve earned. The game ends when a player reaches or exceeds the target score based on the number of players:

9 – TWEAK [T!] Card Types and Their Effects

• The Thief (Steal from another player): Allows you to steal a random card from another player’s hand and place it on the table. The stolen player will have one less card in their hand on their next turn.
• The Joker (±1 Wild Card): Modifies the Target Sum by +1 or -1, according to the choice of the player who uses it.
• The Shifter (Change the target): Lets you take the top card of the Central Deck (which sets the Target Sum), place it on the table as a playable card, and reveal a new Target Sum card.
• The Bomb: Forces all other players to place one card from their hand face up on the table. On their next turn, those players will play with one fewer card.

10 – Clarification of Moves

If a player leaves on the table a card that could form a valid combination but does not claim it, they lose the opportunity and the round continues. No other player may claim that combination.

If, during a round, a player loses all 3 of their cards due to the effect of [T!] cards like The Bomb or The Thief played by others, they will lose their next turn due to having no cards to play. However, they must replenish their hand to 3 cards before passing the turn to the next player.

The order of actions must always be followed:

• First, refill cards in the hand.
• Then, refill cards on the table.

If there are not enough cards, refill as many as possible, and then the turn passes to the next player.

When the Central Deck runs out, the game continues with Target Sum = 7, as indicated by the special blue card that remains visible on the table, until the end of the round and all players have played all their remaining cards.

If a player runs out of cards in hand but still has unused [T!] cards, they may no longer use them. However, they can still add their points at the end of the round along with the rest of their won cards.

11 – Frequently Asked Questions

– Can multiple TWEAK [T!] cards be used at the same time?
No, you can only play one [T!] card per turn.

– Who wins the cards left uncombined in the last round?
No one. The cards that couldn’t be combined at the end of the game are discarded and do not score points for any player.

– When you draw cards with a [T!], do you keep them or place them on the table?
The [T!] cards are designed to improve your chances of creating a valid sum on the table. Whether you draw a card with The Thief (Steal from another player), all players discard cards with The Bomb, or you take a target card from the deck with The Shifter (Change the objective), in every case, the drawn cards must be placed on the TABLE, and then you will attempt to make a valid combination.

– What happens at the end of the game with unused [T!] cards?
Unused [T!] cards are added to the pile of won cards to calculate the final score. Each TWEAK is worth 2 points, whether it was used or not. Therefore, always try to collect as many cards as possible from the table to make a “TWEAK!”.