Gembatan - Board game MindWare - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Board Game
Brand	MindWare
Model	Gembatan
Category	Strategy Board Game
Box Dimensions (approx.)	27 x 27 x 6 cm
Weight (approx.)	0.6 kg
Number of Players	2 to 4
Recommended Age	8 and up
Playing Time	30-45 minutes
Game Objective	Build the most valuable path of stones to score points
Game Type	Tile-laying / Pattern building
Difficulty Level	Medium
Language	English
Components	Game board, 60 stone tiles, 4 player markers, rules booklet
Rules Included	Yes, printed manual
Storage	Box with insert
Production Year	2020
Warranty	30 days against defects
Cleaning	Wipe with dry cloth; avoid moisture
Safety	Choking hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3

Frequently Asked Questions - Gembatan MindWare

How do I set up the game Gembatan?

Place the game board in the center. Each player chooses a color and takes the matching marker. Shuffle the stone tiles face down and place them in a draw pile. Each player draws 3 tiles to start.

What is the objective of Gembatan?

The objective is to build the most valuable path by placing stone tiles in a continuous line from one edge of the board to the opposite edge. Points are earned based on the patterns and colors of the stones.

How many players can play Gembatan?

Gembatan is designed for 2 to 4 players. The game scales well and maintains balance across different player counts.

What is the recommended age for Gembatan?

The recommended age is 8 years and up. Younger children may need assistance with strategy, but the basic tile placement is simple enough for ages 6+ with guidance.

How long does a game of Gembatan take?

A typical game lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the number of players and their experience level.

What are the basic rules of tile placement?

On your turn, draw one tile from the pile and add it to your path. Your path must start from your edge of the board and connect to previously placed tiles. Tiles can be rotated but must align with the grid.

Can I play Gembatan solo?

The official rules do not include a solo mode, but you can adapt the game by trying to beat a high score or creating a puzzle for yourself.

How do I score points in Gembatan?

Points are awarded for each tile placed in your path, with bonus points for completing patterns (e.g., three same-color stones in a row) and for reaching the opposite edge first.

What should I do if I lose a tile?

If you lose a tile, you can contact MindWare support to purchase replacements. Alternatively, you can mark the missing tile and play with a reduced number.

How do I clean and store Gembatan?

Wipe the game components with a dry cloth; do not use water or cleaners. Store the game in its original box in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

USER MANUAL Gembatan MindWare

OBJECT

To earn more points than your opponents by placing and making chains of gems on the board.

GAME SET UP

• Gather a pencil and paper to keep score.
- Arrange the tiles in the tray as shown.

• Place the gems face down in the gem tray.
  • Each player draws 4 gems and 4 tiles from the tray without looking and places the pieces face up in front of them for all players to see.
• Draw and place one tile face up in the middle of the table to start the board.
• Choose a player to go first.

GAME PLAY

On your turn, add one or more tiles to the board according to the rules of tile placement.

TILE AND GEM PLACEMENT

1. For every tile you play, you must also play the connecting gem with the colors aligned as shown below.

1. Gems may be placed in either a socket created when you add a new tile to the grid, or by filling in a socket left empty by another player.
2. Each tile you play after the first of your turn must connect to a tile you already played that turn.

1. Your tile cannot cut off a socket.
2. If placing a tile creates more than 1 socket, you are only required to place a gem in 1 of those sockets.

When your turn is over, play passes clockwise to the next player.

Score your play according to the scoring rules.

SCORING

Every gem you add to the grid counts for one point, this includes gems played to fill an existing open socket.

If a gem that you add creates a diagonal chain of 3 or more gems that share a color, score one point for each gem in the line. You cannot form horizontal or vertical chains.

You score points for every gem in the chain, even if you are adding to a chain created by another player.

If you form a chain that shares both colors on the gems, you earn points for each color separately.

If you are able to play all 4 of your gems on your turn, you have scored a Gembatan worth 4 bonus points. (You do not need to play all four of your tiles to earn this bonus, just your gems.)

See scoring examples on back page.

TRADING IN

If you can't play, or in place of your turn, you can turn in any or all of your gems and / or tiles.

• Set aside any gems or tiles that you want to discard.
• Draw enough new gems or tiles to refill your inventory to 4 gems and 4 tiles.
• Return any discarded gems to the gem tray and return discarded tiles randomly in the tile holder.

WINNING

Play continues until there are no gems left in the tray, and either:

• One player uses up all of their gems, or
• A round passes with no player able to make any plays.

Each player then deducts one point for each gem they have left. The player with the most points wins!

SCORING EXAMPLE 1

If you placed the center gem, you would receive 3 points for the red chain, 3 points for the blue chain and 1 point for placing the gem for a total of 7 points.

SCORING EXAMPLE 2

If you placed the top gem, you would receive 3 points for the red chain 3 points for the blue chain and 1 point for placing the gem for a total of 7 points.

STRATEGY TIP:

When making your chains, observe the tiles and gems that other players have. Make sure they won't be able to add to your chains on their turn!