Rules
Minus Auction is an auction for 3 to 7 players where nobody wants what is on sale. Every cube is worth minus points, and the only way to avoid one is to pay a chip.
Setup
There are 33 numbered cubes, from -3 to -35. One is removed at random without anyone seeing it, so 32 cubes are auctioned. Each player starts with 9 chips, held in the hand where others cannot count them. A random player goes first.
An auction
- A random cube is revealed.
- Starting with the current player and going round the table, each player either takes the cube, along with every chip already on it, or refuses by paying 1 chip onto it.
- A player with no chips cannot refuse and must take the cube.
- Whoever takes the cube starts the next auction. Taken cubes stay face up in front of their owner. There is no trading.
Scoring
When all 32 cubes are taken, add up your cubes and add 1 point per chip. In a run of consecutive values, only the value closest to zero counts. For example, -5, -6 and -10 with 3 chips scores -5 + -10 + 3 = -12. The highest score wins.
Our version
- Each decision has a 20-second timer. If it runs out, you refuse automatically when you have a chip, and take the cube when you have none.
- Chips are hidden, as on the show: you see your own count and the chips on the cube on offer, never another player’s total. Taken cubes are public, so each player’s row shows a live score from their cubes only; your own score includes your chips.
- The player list shows who refused the current cube, so you can keep count of chips if you like.
- Cubes are grouped into runs on screen. Cubes that do not count are struck through.
- At the end, every player’s chips, runs and final score are revealed, along with the removed cube.
- Ties share a place. If first place is shared, nobody wins outright. The rules sources do not say how the show broke ties.
- The game picks a random first player instead of a random seating order.
- Against the computer you play with 4, 5 or 6 players in total (default 5). The AI players take turns at three styles: bold (refuses longer to collect chips), steady and cautious (takes early). Easy AI judges a cube by its face value, medium also sees how it fits its own runs, and hard counts gaps that unseen cubes could fill and lets a cube that fits its run go round once more to collect chips. They only know what you would know.
- Online rooms take 3 to 7 players, and the host can fill seats with AI players.
- The “Take preview” helper (on by default) shows what taking the cube now would do to your score.
Sources: fan wikis and the show’s rule cards.
Strategy
Price a cube by what it does to you, not its face value. A -30 is a disaster on its own but costs nothing if you already hold -29. A cube that joins two of your runs can even raise your score.
Let cubes that fit your run go round. If nobody else wants a cube that extends your run, refuse it once and collect the chips others pay when it comes back. Do not push your luck when a rival’s run also touches it.
Chips are your freedom. With no chips you must take whatever comes. Keep a few in reserve, especially late in the game when the big cubes are still out.
Watch other players’ runs. A cube next to someone’s run is cheap for them, so they will take it early. Counting refusals tells you who is running low and will be forced to take soon.
Remember the missing cube. One value never appears. A gap you are waiting to fill may never come.