Overview

Carabande is a dexterity racing game where players flick wooden discs around a modular racetrack. Players take turns flicking their disc, trying to navigate curves, avoid flying off the track, and complete three laps before their opponents. The track is assembled from straight and curved segments with edge rails, allowing for a different layout every game.

Components

• 6 straight track segments
• 10 curve track segments
• 6 short edge rails
• 10 long edge rails
• 8 discs in four different colors (2 per color)
• 1 black obstacle/spacing disc
• 1 sheet of stickers
• 1 scoring pad (100 sheets)

Setup

1. Before the first game, apply stickers to the game discs.
2. Assemble track pieces into an enclosed loop. Place long edge rails on curves and short segments on straights.
3. Place the scoring pad and black spacing disc in the middle of the track area, along with a pencil.
4. Each player takes a disc. The youngest player receives disc 1 and plays first. With 2-4 players, each player may use 2 discs of the same color.

Turn Structure

1. Each race lasts 3 laps.
2. Player 1 places their disc behind the starting line and flicks it along the track. Other players follow in disc number order.
3. After all players have taken their first turn, play continues in disc number order. Each player flicks their disc from where it currently lies.
4. When a player crosses the start line, mark one lap on the scoring pad.
5. The first player to complete 3 laps wins the race.

Actions

On your turn, you flick your disc from its current position. You must use a snapping/flicking technique (pushing the disc is forbidden). Use your fingernail to contact the piece, snapping with your index finger, middle finger, or thumb.

Spacing: Before flicking, you may use the black spacing disc to create space between your disc and a wall or another disc. Place the black disc between them and slide your disc away. You may only move your own disc, never an opponent’s. You may not use the spacing disc if there is already a gap larger than the disc’s width.

Hitting other discs: You may knock other players’ discs by flicking your own disc into them, as long as you only physically touch your own disc.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The first player to complete 3 laps wins the race. Other players may continue playing to determine finishing order.

Tournament Scoring (Professional Rules): Points are awarded based on finish position across multiple races. Pole position is determined through elimination-style duels where players compete for the longest single shot.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Disc flies off track: Your turn ends. Return your disc to its position before the shot. If you knock another player’s disc off the track, return all displaced discs (including yours) to their positions before the shot. Your turn ends.
• Disc lands upside down (sticker side down): You miss your next turn. On that missed turn, your only action is to flip the disc back over. Other players may knock an upside-down disc; if knocked off the track, it returns upside-down to its pre-shot position.
• Bank shots: Bouncing off rails is a legitimate and useful technique for navigating difficult positions.

Professional Rules (two key differences):

1. No spacing disc: You must play discs where they lie. If blocked with no way to flick, you miss your turn.
2. Obstacle disc: The black disc is placed on the track as an obstacle. If you knock your own disc into the obstacle, you lose your turn and return your disc to its starting position. If another player’s disc is knocked into the obstacle, both the disc and obstacle stay where they land.

Pole Position (Professional): Before the race, players compete in duels (single flick for distance) to determine starting order. Procedures vary by player count (2-8 players), using elimination brackets.

Player Reference

Situation	Result
Your disc leaves the track	Return to pre-shot position, turn ends
You knock opponent off track	All discs return to pre-shot positions, your turn ends
Your disc lands upside down	Miss next turn (flip it back over on that turn)
Cross start line	Mark one lap complete
Complete 3 laps	Win the race
Professional: hit obstacle disc	Return your disc, turn ends