PATOLLI RULES

QUICK START

FULL RULES

Setup

Each player starts with 6 pieces off the board (in reserve). In the traditional gambling version, each player also stakes 6 treasure items. The X-shaped board has 52 squares representing the Aztec Calendar Round.

Turn Order

Players alternate turns. On your turn, throw the 5 bean dice, then move one of your pieces the indicated number of spaces. You must move if able.

Bean Dice

Five beans with one marked side are thrown. Count how many land marked-side up: 1-5 moves that many spaces. Rolling 0 (no marked sides up) scores 10 - the highest roll! This special rule adds dramatic tension to each throw.

Movement

The X-shaped board has 52 spaces arranged as four diagonal arms meeting at a central intersection. Pieces travel clockwise around the entire circuit. To enter a new piece onto the board, you must roll exactly 1.

Corner Zones (Tribute Squares)

The four corner squares at the ends of each arm are tribute zones. Landing on a corner requires paying 1 treasure to the pot as an offering to the gods at the cardinal directions.

Captures

Landing on an opponent's piece captures it and sends it back to their reserve (they must re-enter with a roll of 1). The capturing player wins 1 treasure item from the opponent's stakes.

Gambling Stakes

In the original Aztec game, players wagered blankets, maguey plants, precious stones, gold ornaments, and agricultural produce. Desperate players would even wager their personal freedom - the final loss meant becoming a slave to the winner.

Victory

The game ends when a player exits all 6 pieces off the board after completing the circuit, OR when a player bankrupts their opponent by winning all their treasure through captures and corner tributes.

VARIANTS

High Stakes (Historical)

THE ORIGINAL AZTEC EXPERIENCE

Play with the full treasure system where captures and corner landings transfer stakes. Bankruptcy means defeat. This mode recreates the intense gambling culture of the Aztec nobility.

No Stakes (Family)

PURE RACE MODE

Remove the gambling mechanics entirely. Victory is achieved only by completing the circuit with all pieces. A more accessible version for casual play without the stress of bankruptcy.

Speed Patolli

REDUCED PIECE COUNT

Play with only 3 pieces per player instead of 6. Faster games while maintaining the core tension of the X-shaped race and capture mechanics.