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Download on Google Play- Use a standard 52-card deck for 2-4 players.
- Deal 10 cards each; remaining cards form a draw pile.
- Draw one card from the draw pile or discard pile.
- Play cards to build walls with rows summing to a target value.
- A wall with 3+ rows is complete and scores points.
- End your turn by discarding one card.
- Complete wall (3 rows): 10 points plus face value of all cards.
- Tall wall (4+ rows): extra 5 points per row above three.
- Unfinished walls score zero.
Rules
Metselen, meaning 'bricklaying' in Dutch, is a card game where players build structures by layering cards in specific patterns. The name comes from the visual resemblance of the card arrangements to brickwork, making it a unique blend of card play and spatial construction.
Objective
Score the most points by building complete 'walls' of cards in structured patterns. Each completed wall earns points based on its size and the value of cards used.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 4 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 10 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face-down as a draw pile.
Gameplay
- Drawing: On your turn, draw one card from the draw pile or the top of the discard pile.
- Building: Play cards from your hand face-up in front of you to form walls. A wall consists of rows where each row must have cards totaling a specific value.
- Row rules: The bottom row of a wall requires two cards whose values sum to a target (such as 15). Each subsequent row stacks on top with its own sum requirement.
- Completing walls: A wall with three or more rows is complete and scores points. The cards are set aside and count toward your final total.
- Discarding: End your turn by discarding one card onto the discard pile.
Scoring
- Complete wall (3 rows): 10 points plus the face value of all cards in the wall.
- Tall wall (4+ rows): Additional 5 points per row above three.
- Unfinished walls: Score zero — incomplete constructions earn nothing.
Variations
- Speed Metselen: Players build simultaneously without taking turns, racing to complete walls first.
- Team Metselen: Partners combine their walls for a shared score.
Tips and Strategies
- Plan your walls before you start building — beginning a wall you cannot finish wastes cards and turns.
- Aim for walls using high-value cards to maximize the point bonus from card face values.
- Watch what opponents are collecting to avoid competing for the same cards.
Tips & Strategy
Commit to walls you can realistically complete. Starting multiple walls simultaneously spreads your cards too thin and increases the risk of incomplete constructions scoring nothing.
The tension between building tall walls for bonus points and finishing smaller walls for guaranteed scores is the central strategic decision. Read the game state to determine which approach is optimal.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The name Metselen literally means 'bricklaying,' and experienced players often describe their card arrangements using actual masonry terminology.
What does 'Metselen' mean in Dutch?
History & Culture
Metselen is a relatively modern Dutch card game that emerged from the tradition of combining spatial puzzle elements with card play. Its construction theme reflects the Dutch cultural emphasis on building and engineering.
Metselen represents a distinctly Dutch approach to card gaming, combining the nation's engineering spirit with social card play into a creative and engaging experience.
Variations & House Rules
Speed Metselen turns the game into a real-time race, while Team Metselen lets partners cooperate on larger and more ambitious wall constructions.
Vary the target sums for each row to adjust difficulty, or introduce wild cards that can represent any value in a wall.
