Full Directions & Scoring Guide for Pickup Sticks

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Learn the instructions and fun variations of this retro dexterity game

Co-authored by Hunter Rising Reviewed by Ashton Wu

Last Updated: June 15, 2026 Fact Checked

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Setup

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Gameplay

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Scoring & Winning

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Variations

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Video

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Q&A

Pick up sticks is a classic game that’s simple for all ages to learn, but still challenging to play. Whether you’re learning the rules for the first time or just need a refresher, we’ve got you covered! Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through setting up pick up sticks along with how to keep score. If you’re looking for a new twist on the game, we even have fun new variations to try out!

Pickup Sticks Rules Overview

To play pick up sticks, hold the sticks vertically and drop them onto a flat surface. Take turns picking up one stick at a time without moving any others. If you get one, take another turn. If any others move, your turn ends. Score points for the different colors and win the game when you reach a predetermined score.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Set Up Pick Up Sticks

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1
Decide on goal score to reach during the game. Most games of pick up sticks are played until you reach a certain score. Decide with the other players what score you’ll all try to reach as a goal. For a shorter game, set the goal score between 200-300 points. If you want a longer and more challenging game, set the goal to 500 or even 1,000 points.
- You can play pick up sticks with 2 or more players, and it’s the perfect game for all ages.
Gather all of the pick up sticks into a bundle and hold them vertically in your hand above a table or the floor. Open your hand, and let the sticks fall freely onto your play surface. Once all of them come to rest and stop moving, you’re ready to start the game!^{[1]
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Section 2 of 4:

Rules for Pick Up Sticks

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Attempt to pick up a stick without moving others. Let the youngest player go first. On your turn, look for a stick that you can pick up without disturbing any others. Use your fingers to carefully lift the stick off of the pile and set it in front of you.^{[2]
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- Focus on sticks that are on top of the pile or that fell away from the pile during your first turns because they’ll be the easiest to collect.
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Take another turn if you pick up a stick without moving others. Every time you successfully pick up a stick without another one moving, you get to continue your turn and go for another one. As long as you don’t move any other sticks than the one you’re picking up, you can keep trying for more.^{[3]
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- If you want a game that’s a little more fair, set a limit on the number of sticks that someone can pick up on their turn.
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Use the black stick to move other sticks when you pick it up. If you manage to pick up the black stick, also known as the “master stick,” you can use it to help you for the rest of your turn. Use the stick to push or move other sticks out of the way of the stick you want to pick up.^{[4]
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- Only the black stick can be used to move other sticks without penalty.
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End and pass your turn if another stick moves. If you accidentally bump or move a stick other than the one you’re picking up, you must let go of the stick and end your turn immediately. The next person to the left of the current player takes the next turn, and they can either keep the sticks in their current position or collect them all and drop them again.^{[5]
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- If a player decides to re-drop the sticks, make sure you score points before returning any sticks you collected.

Section 3 of 4:

How to Score & Win Pick Up Sticks

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Earn points for each stick picked up on your turn. After each person’s turn, look at all the sticks they picked up. Each color stick is assigned a different point value. Add the values of the sticks together, and write down the person’s score for their turn on a sheet of paper.^{[6]
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- Black: 25 points
- Red: 10 points
- Blue: 5 points
- Green: 2 points
- Yellow: 1 point
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Win the game if you hit the goal score on your turn. After each person’s turn, add their score to what they’ve already earned from previous rounds. As soon as someone reaches the goal that you decided on in the beginning of the game, they win!
- Variation: Instead of playing to a specific score, stop the game when there are no more sticks left to pick up. Whoever was able to collect the most sticks wins the game instead!
- If you want to play again or start a new round, collect all the sticks and drop them again.

Section 4 of 4:

Pick Up Sticks Variations

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Use tweezers or tongs to pick up sticks instead of your hands. If you want more of a challenge, give players a pair of tweezers or tongs on their turn. Tweezers don’t give you as solid of a grip, so the sticks will be a lot harder to pick up without disturbing any others.
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Do a dare when you pick up a specific color. When you want to spice up your game night, choose one of the stick colors to use for dares. When someone picks up that color, they can do the dare to earn double the points for that color. If they choose not to do the dare, then they still earn the regular number of points.
- Need some inspiration? Check out our list of funny dares to find one that’s perfect for your game of pick up sticks.
- As an alternative, when someone picks up the stick color, they can challenge someone else to do the dare instead.
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Say something you’re thankful for after each stick. Instead of a competitive game of pick up sticks, share what makes you grateful any time you pick up a stick. What you say depends on the color of the stick you pick up. By the time you’re finished with the game, you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
- Black: Name someone that you love or admire.
- Red: Share something from nature that makes you smile.
- Blue: Mention something nice that a person has done for you.
- Green: Name a personal quality that you love about yourself.
- Yellow: Share a good memory that has stuck with you.
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Use glow sticks for a nighttime game. If you’re looking for a fun sleepover game, get a variety of glow sticks and drop them the same way you would for normal pick up sticks. Turn out the lights, and try to pick up one glow stick at a time without moving the others.

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Question

What if I have no black, green, or orange sticks?

Community Answer

There is always one stick that is different from all the others, so that can be used to move the other sticks regardless of what color it is.

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Question

Do you have to have black stick in your set? We have an orange but no black.

Community Answer

If you have an orange stick, then you can use that as a black stick.

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Question

Is the black stick only used during one turn, or do I get to use it over and over?

Community Answer

Once you have picked up the black stick, you can use it to pick up other sticks at any time, as many times as you want.

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