Linq | Board Game Rules

Overview

Linq is a party game of bluffing and collusion. Two players are secretly spies who share a code word and must identify each other by giving verbal clues. All other players are double agents who do not know the code word but try to identify the spies (and bluff as if they know the word). Points are scored based on successful identification.

Components

50 scoring tokens in two colours (1-point and 5-point)
Two identical packages of 55 cards (spy cards with word lists, and double-agent cards with question marks)

Setup

Place scoring tokens in the centre as the bank. Give each player 3 points.
Place both identical decks of spy cards side-by-side, face-down. Do NOT shuffle them — decks must remain in the same order.
Place double-agent cards (question marks) in a separate pile — you need (number of players minus 2) of these.
Choose a start player who picks a number between 1 and 10. This is the code word number used on each card for the entire game. Numbers 1-5 are simpler (for beginners/younger players).

Turn Structure

Each round has three phases:

Briefing Phase

Take one matching card from each deck (verify identical by top-left corner numbers).
Take (players minus 2) double-agent cards.
Shuffle these together and deal one to each player.
Spies see the code word corresponding to the chosen number. Double agents see a question mark.

Action Phase (Two Rounds of Clue-Giving)

Round 1: Starting with the start player, each player says one word related to (or pretending to relate to) their code word.

You may say any word including proper nouns or conjugated verbs.
You may NOT say the code word itself or any word containing it.

Round 2: Each player repeats their first word, then says a second word.

Anyone may request a player repeat their words at any time.

Debriefing Phase

The start player counts to three. All players simultaneously point to the two people they believe are the spies (you may point at yourself).

Scoring:

Both spies identify each other: Each spy receives 3 points from the bank.
Either spy fails to identify their partner:
- Each double agent receives 1 point from the bank.
- Each spy who incorrectly chose a double agent gives 1 point to that agent.
Each spy gives 1 point to any double agent who correctly identified both spies.
Double agents who correctly identified both spies may attempt to guess the exact code word for 1 additional point from the bank (may whisper or write their guess).

If a player has no points to pay, they use points from the bank instead.

If the bank runs out, each player deposits 3 points (or all remaining) into the bank.

Actions

On your clue-giving turn:

Say one word (Round 1) or repeat your first word and say a second word (Round 2)
Spies: give clues that hint at the code word subtly enough to find your partner but not alert double agents
Double agents: bluff convincingly as if you know the code word

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Play one round per player in the game (start player rotates each round). The player with the most points at the end wins.

Tiebreaker: The tied player who was a spy wins. If still tied, spies share the victory.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Sleeper Agent Variant: Draw two sets of spy cards, randomly discard one set. One player may be a “sleeper” — holding a spy card with no partner. Spies score only 2 points if they identify each other.
Spy vs Spy Variant: Use two independent spy teams. Score each team independently. If a spy accidentally chooses the opposing team’s spy, they lose a point to the bank.
Silent Night Variant: Instead of speaking, each player does a 5-second charade.

Player Reference

Round Structure:

Briefing: Deal spy/double-agent cards
Action: Two rounds of word clues
Debriefing: Simultaneous pointing + scoring