How to play Raise the Sum

Small numbers. Big moves.

Welcome to Raise the Sum. Beat the score on the table, or pass. The last player still in wins the round.

Set up the table

For two to four players, set the point cards and reference card aside. Shuffle the gameplay cards and deal five to each player. Put the rest in a draw pile, with space for discards. Choose a first player, then take turns clockwise.

Draw 3. Play 1 to 5.

Every turn starts by drawing three cards, even if you plan to pass. Play one to five cards to beat the last score. Ties do not count. An opening play can score anything, even zero.

Blue cards add together

Say the target is six. Play a plus three and a plus four: your score is seven. Seven beats six. Discard the old play. Your cards stay on the table, and seven is the new target.

Pass now. Save cards for later.

Or pass: keep your hand and sit out this round. Skip passed players. The target and its challenge stay. After playing or passing, discard down to seven cards if needed. Do not refill your hand.

Challenge the next reply

Green cards multiply your score. Red subtraction and yellow division cards challenge the next reply, not your own score. A successful reply replaces the old challenge. Passing does not clear it.

Always score in this order

The target is six, with minus two and divide by two incoming. You play plus five, plus four, and times three. First add: five plus four is nine. Then subtract two, leaving seven. Multiply by three to get twenty-one. Divide by two to get ten point five. Round down once at the end: ten beats six. A negative final score becomes zero. With no addition cards, start at zero.

Zero counters the challenge

Against a challenge, one black zero cancels all incoming subtraction and division for your play. With the same cards plus zero, nine times three makes twenty-seven. You still have to beat the target. Zero counts toward your five-card limit.

Last player in wins 1 point

When everyone else passes, take one point card. First to three points wins the match, unless you agreed on another target.

A new round. The same hand.

Everyone rejoins with their unused cards. Discard the standing play and clear the target and challenge. The round winner opens next, drawing three first. If the draw pile runs out, shuffle only the discards. If fewer than three cards are available, draw as many as you can.

Start simple. Add new challenges.

For younger players, start with blue addition cards only. Next add red subtraction and black zero. Add multiplication and division when ready. The turn rules stay the same. Pick your deck, draw three, and raise the sum.