plankstickdice

Plankstickdice is a tabletop balancing and dexterity game for 2–4 players that uses a wooden plank as a base, a supply of short wooden sticks, and a standard six-sided die. The objective is to maintain a stable configuration on the plank while taking turns altering the structure according to the die roll. A player who causes the structure to collapse is eliminated, and play continues until only one player remains.

Origin and name: The concept emerged in hobbyist maker and indie board-game communities in the early 2010s. The name reflects the three core components: plank, sticks, and dice. Early DIY versions circulated online, with varying starting structures and house rules.

Setup and play: The plank is placed on a non-slip surface. A simple central core is formed from sticks on the plank. On a player's turn, they roll the die to determine the number of sticks they may add or remove. The player selects whether to place or remove sticks and where, with the constraint that the structure remains upright and balanced. If a move causes any part of the structure to topple, the player is eliminated. The game continues with the remaining players until one winner remains.

Variants and strategy: Official or user-made variants include multiple plank configurations, alternate starting structures, or using different dice (such as d8 or d10) to modify difficulty. Strategy focuses on balance, predicting how the remaining pieces distribute weight, and reading opponents' potential moves.

Reception and variants: Plankstickdice is appreciated for its tactile, hands-on appeal and low equipment cost, but critics note limited variability between games and the potential for wear on the plank and sticks. It is often played as a casual party game or in maker spaces. See also: Jenga; balance games.