OK Play

OK play is an abstract tile placement game, from publisher Big Potato Games, for 2-4 players. It is regarded as the world’s easiest to understand game and with minimal components and simple rules, it is no wonder it has been given this unofficial title. This game is a blast to play, it is super potable, can be played pretty much anywhere, with anyone and is very quick to play.

OK Play Overview

In OK Play each player takes one of the four stacks of coloured square tiles. The first player places a tile in the middle of the play area then each player places a tile in turn order. All tiles must be placed against another already played tile along its flat edge (No corner to corner placement). Once a player has depleted their stack they can re-position an already played tile.

The objective of the game is to make a line of five squares in your colour before your opponents. The line can go orthogonally or diagonally. Players continue to place or re-position tiles until a line of five is completed and the winner is declared.

Players will have to concentrate on their own tiles as well as all other players as there will be times when you will have to block another player from completing five in a row. The strategy comes in laying tiles in such a way that your opponent either can’t or misses the chance to block, whilst at the same time not ignoring your opponent’s tiles and letting them create five in a line.

There are no other rules, no other components and no complicated scoring objectives. Simple rules, simple game play and simple scoring.

Better Than OK (Play)?

OK Play has been given the title of the world’s easiest to understand game and it is no surprise why. There are no complicated turn phases, there is not a myriad of different things to do, there are no complicated rules which takes 20 minutes to explain, there is only one path to victory and game set-up takes…well no time at all as there is no set-up.

OK Play feels refreshing and a big change from some of the more recent games with complex rules, multiple components and multiple paths to victory. There is elegance in its simplicity. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place for the heavy hitters, but there is also a time and place for games such as OK Play. Let me explain…

I received the game just before going away for a long weekend. Naturally, the first thing I packed was the essentials. i.e. games. OK Play went straight in to the bag as a must. It was small, portable and ideal for travelling light. The first night we sat in the bar and cracked this open, it was an instant hit. I lost count how many times we played it over the weekend but it was in excess of 15. We had other guests and bar staff coming up to us and asking what we were playing.

I could explain the game and the rules in a minute or less without them glazing over and it piqued everyone’s interest. For me this is what games are about, enticing other people in to this wonderful hobby. For moments like this, OK Play is a fantastic game. It suited the situation perfectly and was a light, quick and simple game to play whilst having a relaxing time with friends/family.