Ways to play

One of the things we love about THE GAME OF TWO HALVES® is that there are lots of ways it can be played. So whether you have 15 minutes or half-an-hour to kill - or an hour, a few hours or longer - the game can be tailored to fit the time that you have.

What's more, the game can easily be resumed at a later date over a number of additional session/s, it doesn't have to be completed in one gameplay sitting.

A single match (estimated gameplay time: 15-20 minutes)

The quickest and simplest way to play THE GAME OF TWO HALVES®

2 players
Each player chooses their team*
Play the game by following the simple instructions
Whichever team wins the match, wins
For the winning team - don't forget how sweet the victory felt - if you're feeling confident try to maintain your winning streak next time you play
For the losing team - don't forget how it felt to lose - get your revenge the next time you play!

Best of 3 (estimated gameplay time: 45-60 mins)

2 players
Each player chooses their team*
Choose a different team per match - or play as the same team, whatever you prefer
Play each game by following the simple instructions
The first player to win 2 matches, wins
For the winning team - don't forget how sweet the victory felt - if you're feeling confident try to maintain your winning streak next time you play
For the losing team - don't forget how it felt to lose - get your revenge the next time you play!

Best of 5/7/9... (estimated gameplay time: 45-60 mins)

Play more matches to extend the gameplay - first player to win 3 matches (best of 5), first player to win 4 matches (best of 7), first player to win 5 matches (best of 9), etc
As every match is approx 15-20 minutes, you can work out how long the gameplay would be depending on which 'best of' number you choose

A full cup tournament (estimated gameplay time: 2-3 hours)

8 teams in the tournament
2-4 players
Each player chooses their team/s*:
- If 2 players, pick 4 teams each
- If 3 players, 2 pick 3 teams each and 1 picks 2 teams
- If 4 players, pick 2 teams each
In order that the teams are picked, write the name of the team onto a page of the cup notebook provided in the game box
Play each match by following the simple instructions
On the pad, write the name of the winning team onto the next round of the tournament
Each team that makes it through to the next round, select at random (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) to form the matches in the next round
- If two teams are picked to play a match that are from the same player, select one team at random to go through automatically to the next round (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) - and discard the team that isn't picked
Play through the rounds until there are only 2 teams left - this is the final
The team that wins the final is the overall tournament winner and has total bragging rights (until next time) - congratulations!

An extended cup tournament (estimated gameplay time: 3-6 hours)

Choose how many teams you want in the tournament -16, 32, 64
2-4 players
Each player chooses their team/s*
For a 16 team tournament:
- If 2 players, pick 8 teams each
- If 3 players, 2 pick 5 teams each and 1 picks 6 teams
- If 4 players, pick 4 teams each
For a 32 team tournament:
- If 2 players, pick 16 teams each
- If 3 players, 2 pick 11 teams each and 1 picks 10 teams
- If 4 players, pick 8 teams each
For a 64 team tournament:
- If 2 players, pick 32 teams each
- If 3 players, 2 pick 21 teams each and 1 picks 22 teams
- If 4 players, pick 16 teams each
In order that the teams are picked, write the name of the team onto a blank piece of paper (mirror the flow as shown in the cup notepad provided in the game box, but extend out on the earlier rounds to accommodate for an increased number of teams
Play each match by following the simple instructions
On the piece of paper, write the name of the winning team onto the next round of the tournament
Each team that makes it through to the next round, select at random (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) to form the matches in the next round
- If two teams are picked to play a match that are from the same player, select one team at random to go through automatically to the next round (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) - and discard the team that isn't picked
Play through the rounds until there are only 2 teams left - this is the final
The team that wins the final is the overall tournament winner and has total bragging rights (until next time) - congratulations!

A mini cup tournament (estimated gameplay time: 1-1.5 hours)

4 teams in the tournament
2-4 players
Each player chooses their team/s*:
- If 2 players, pick 2 teams each
- If 3 players, 2 pick 1 team each and 1 picks 2 teams
- If 4 players, pick 1 team each

In order that the teams are picked, write the name of the team onto a page of the cup notebook provided in the game box
Play each match by following the simple instructions
On the pad, write the name of the winning team onto the next round of the tournament
Each team that makes it through to the next round, select at random (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) to form the matches in the next round
- If two teams are picked to play a match that are from the same player, select one team at random to go through automatically to the next round (i.e. pull out of a hat, or close your eyes) - and discard the team that isn't picked
After the first round of matches have been played, there will be only 2 teams left - this is the final
The team that wins the final is the overall tournament winner and has total bragging rights (until next time) - congratulations!

League season (estimated gameplay time: 5+ hours)

2-6 players
Decide how many teams you want to feature in the league
Each player chooses the same number of teams each to form the league*
Each team must play each other team once:
- 3 points for a win
- 1 point for a draw
- No penalty shoot outs
- Goal difference does count
Take note of the fixtures and results (including goal difference)
Create an ongoing league table if you like (but no need to if you don't want to)
The team that scores the most points by the end of the league 'season', wins the league and carries all the kudos that goes with it!

Freestyle (estimated gameplay time: unknown, depends on the number of teams in play)

Or if you're feeling adventurous or a little bit rebellious, why not create a gameplay format of your choice. Just choose the number of players and the number of teams you want to feature, and then it's over to you!
We'd love to know how you decide to play the game - please let us know by emailing us: hello@thegameoftwohalves.co.uk

* Teams can be selected in different ways, whichever you prefer:

1a. Simply choose (in your head) the team that you want to be, and then write down the fixtures onto the pad/paper, or;
1b. Write down the name of each team that you want to feature in the match/cup/league (the number of teams depends on the gameplay mode that you select, as above), cut out and place in a bag/sock/container/etc
2. Then pick the team names out at random

Want some inspiration?

If you'd like a little help choosing the teams to feature on your game, we've listed out the teams from each division in the football pyramid from the men's Premier League through to National league North/South. Also including the top four divisions in Scotland, the top divisions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - and the Women's Super League too.

However you choose to play THE GAME OF TWO HALVES® , remember one thing: never lose hope because if you keep believing, everything is possible.

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Follow us as we celebrate teams living THE GAME OF TWO HALVES® spirit - those who overcome the odds to win, those who never give up when all seemed lost and those that come back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Oh, and stay tuned for clothing and accessory kit store updates too.