La Boca is a cooperative building puzzle game where teams of two players sit across from each other and try to recreate building structures shown on challenge cards. Each player can only see their own side of the completed image, so they must communicate and work together while racing against a timer. Points are scored based on speed. Every player partners with every other player over the course of the game.
Components
11 building blocks (various shapes and colours)
1 base plate with board
Challenge cards (double-sided, showing different patterns for each player)
1 sand timer
Score track and scoring tokens
Player tokens
Setup
Place the base plate in the center of the table.
Place all 11 building blocks nearby.
Shuffle the challenge cards and place them in a deck.
Each player takes a scoring token and places it on the score track.
Determine player pairings for all rounds (each player partners with every other player once).
Turn Structure
The game is played in a series of rounds where different pairings of players work together:
Two players sit across from each other with the base plate between them.
A challenge card is drawn and placed upright between them so each player sees only their side.
The timer is started.
Players work together to build the structure using the blocks, trying to match the pattern shown on their respective sides of the card simultaneously.
When both players agree the build is correct, they stop the timer.
Points are awarded based on how quickly they completed the task.
Actions
Communicate: Tell your partner where to place blocks, what colours you need visible, etc.
Build: Physically place and rearrange blocks on the base plate.
Verify: Check that your side of the structure matches your card image before calling completion.
Scoring / Victory Conditions
Points are awarded based on speed of completion:
Faster completion = more points for both partners
If the timer runs out before completion, both players score 0 for that round
After all pairings have played, the player with the most total points wins.
At the end of each round, if the build is correct, both partners score the same number of points based on elapsed time.
Special Rules & Edge Cases
Players may not look at their partner’s side of the challenge card.
Players may switch seats at any time, but only their original side of the card determines their building requirements.
All 11 blocks do not need to be used – only the blocks required by the challenge card patterns.
A building is considered correct only if it matches both sides of the challenge card simultaneously.
The components do not have to stand on end.
Ascending blocks must be built from the base up (blocks cannot float).
Blocks must be placed within the base plate boundaries.
Player Reference
Scoring by Speed:
Completion Time
Points per Player
Very fast
High score
Medium
Medium score
Slow
Low score
Timer runs out
0 points
Pairing Formula:
3 players: 3 rounds (each pair once)
4 players: 6 rounds
5 players: 10 rounds
6 players: 15 rounds
Round Summary:
Pair of players sits across from each other
Draw and display challenge card (each player sees own side only)