FITS | Board Game Rules

Overview

FITS (Fill-In-The-Spaces!) is a spatial puzzle game for 1-4 players, designed by Reiner Knizia. Each player has their own ramp and game board, and all players simultaneously try to arrange the same sequence of Tetris-like tiles onto their boards to maximize points. The game plays over 4 rounds with increasing complexity, as each round uses a different board with unique scoring rules. Points come from completing rows and covering/uncovering special spaces.

Components

64 Game tiles (16 each of red, green, blue, yellow — various Tetris-like shapes)
8 Game boards (printed on both sides, 2 per color)
4 Ramps (with 16 triangular anti-skid pads)
4 Transparent covers
4 Starting cards
16 Building cards

Setup

Each player receives all tiles of one color, both game boards of that same color, a ramp, and a cover.
Apply anti-skid pads to the bottom of each ramp (first game only).
In the first round, all players use Board 1. Insert the board into the ramp so the number is visible at the top. Place the cover over the ramp.
Shuffle the 4 starting cards into one face-down deck and the 16 building cards into a separate face-down deck.
Each player needs a sheet of paper and pencil for scoring.

Turn Structure

The game is played over 4 rounds. Each round consists of the following phases:

1. Inserting a Game Board

All players insert the same numbered board into their ramp (Board 1 in round 1, Board 2 in round 2, etc.). Boards 2, 3, and 4 have special spaces used for scoring.

2. Turning Over a Starting Card

Draw the top starting card from the pile. Each player finds the corresponding tile from their supply, chooses any column, and positions it in any orientation (up to 8 possible orientations). Place the tile at the top of the ramp on the cover tracks, then slide it down the ramp until it reaches the bottom or rests against previously placed tiles.

Players keep their starting cards until the end of each round.

3. Turning Over Building Cards

After all players have placed their starting tile, turn over the first building card. Each player chooses the corresponding tile, positions it, and slides it down their ramp.

The following rules apply:

All players use the same tile each turn.
If a building card is identical to a player’s starting card, that player misses the turn.
A player may choose not to place a tile (putting it aside). That tile cannot be used again during the round.
Tiles may not go over the left or right side of the ramp, but may go over the top edge.
Tiles may NOT be placed into gaps that are not accessible from above (no sliding into enclosed spaces).
Tiles may NOT be shifted left or right while sliding down.

After all players have positioned their tile, turn over the next building card. Place it face-up on top of the previous card. Continue until all 16 building cards have been played.

End of a Round

Once all building cards are used up, score the round. For the next round, insert the next numbered board and reshuffle both the starting and building card decks.

Actions

Tile Placement

On each turn, players must:

Select the tile matching the revealed card.
Choose any column to place the tile.
Choose any rotation/orientation (8 possible positions).
Slide the tile down the ramp from the top until it stops.

Scoring (varies by board)

Applies to ALL boards: Each row that is NOT completely covered at the end of the round counts as -1 penalty point (the only exception is the special spaces on Boards 2, 3, and 4).

Board 1: Each completed (fully covered) horizontal row counts as +1 point.

Board 2: Has special spaces with bonus points ranging from 1 to 5. Each number that is still visible at the end of the round counts as that number of points.

Board 3: Has special spaces with bonus and penalty points. Each number that is still visible at the end of a round counts either for or against you (positive = bonus, negative = penalty).

Board 4: Has special spaces with five different symbols. Each symbol appears twice.

Each pair of symbols still visible at the end of the round counts as +3 bonus points.
Each pair where only one symbol is still visible counts as -3 penalty points.
Pairs of symbols that are completely covered count neither as bonus nor penalty points.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The game ends after the fourth round. All points from the previous rounds are added up. The player with the most points wins. In the event of a tie, there are several winners.

Single Player Variant: Play all game boards 1 through 4 and record your points. Rating scale:

More than 30 points: Master Builder
26-30: Architect
21-25: Stone Mason
16-20: Handyman
11-15: Landscaper
6-10: The New Guy
Up to 5: Clean Up Crew

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Tile Cannot Fit: If a tile physically cannot be placed on your board, you must set it aside (unused for the round).
Sliding Rule: Tiles must be slid down from the top; they cannot be dropped into enclosed gaps.
Left/Right Overhang: Tiles may not extend beyond the left or right edges of the board, but may extend above the top edge.
Fewer Than 4 Players: Unused player colors are returned to the box.
Shorter Game: For a shorter game, play the boards in a different sequence or play fewer rounds.
Storage: After the game, store the tiles inside the ramps and secure them with the covers.
Grid Size: All boards use a 6x12 grid of dotted spaces.

Player Reference

Round Structure

Insert game board (all players use same number)
Draw starting card — place corresponding tile
Flip building cards one at a time — all players place the same tile simultaneously
Score the round when all 16 building cards are played

Scoring Summary

Tile Placement Rules

Choose any column and any orientation
Slide down from top (no lateral movement while sliding)
Cannot fill enclosed gaps from above
May skip a tile (set aside, cannot reuse)