Rules

How to play Jungle Duel

Jungle Duel is a quick strategy card game for one player against the computer, or two players on one device. Build the stronger side beside each clearing, spoil your rival's plans, and keep a surprise hidden until the end of the round.

The goal

Each round, five clearings sit in a row between you and your rival. When the round ends, each clearing goes to the side with the higher strength total beside it, and you score its value. Swamps are worth negative points, so sometimes you want to lose them. After three rounds, the higher score wins.

Setup

• Five clearings are dealt for the round. Most are worth points; Swamps are worth less than nothing; Bridges connect your side to your rival's.
• Each player draws four animals. One extra card is removed unseen, so you can never count the deck exactly.
• After every turn you draw back up to four cards.

Your turn: three moves

PLAY 2: build your side

Place two animals face-up on your side. This is the usual move: it raises your totals where the points are.

PLAY 1: send one across

Place one animal face-up on your rival's side. Use it to break up a formation, or to hand them a strong card at a Swamp so they win the negative points.

HIDE 1: keep a secret

Place one animal face-down on your side. It stays hidden until the round ends, then flips. You can never have more than one more hidden card than your rival.

Placement and pulls

• Cards fill the open slots nearest each clearing. Each side holds three cards per clearing.
• Placing an animal pulls an exposed matching animal from the clearing next door onto the same column.
• At a Bridge, a matching exposed animal on the far side is pulled across too.
• A team of three matching animals earns a fruit tree: plant it to add 1 point to any clearing.

Round end

The round ends automatically when the cards run out. Hidden cards flip, animal powers resolve, and every clearing is scored. A tied clearing scores for nobody.

The animals

Tips

• Spread your strength: a big total at one clearing wins only that clearing.
• Watch the Swamps. Winning one costs you points; sending your rival a strong card there can swing a round.
• Hold a hidden card for the clearing your rival is sure they have won.
• Keep a Mouse for the clearing where your rival has stacked a Lion.

Ways to play

• Solo battle: three rounds against the computer, on Easy, Standard or Expert.
• Jungle Trail: a 100-level campaign across nine chapters, each with its own rule and a Guardian boss. Chapter 1 is free without an account; sign in to save your progress and continue.
• Daily challenge: one new duel every day with a twist rule, three stars and a daily streak.
• Pass & play: two players sharing one device.