Master the Mayhem: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Throw Throw Burrito

Get ready for a game that combines the thrill of card collecting with the chaotic joy of… well, throwing squishy burritos! Throw Throw Burrito, from the creators of Exploding Kittens, isn’t your average card game. It’s a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud experience that will have you dodging, chucking, and maybe even developing some impressive burrito-evasion skills. This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know to master the mayhem and become a true Throw Throw Burrito champion.

What is Throw Throw Burrito?

At its core, Throw Throw Burrito is a card-collecting game. But here’s the twist: instead of simply holding your cards, you’re also trying to match sets of three to score points. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, the ‘burrito’ element throws (pun intended!) a wrench into the plan. When certain cards appear, it’s time to grab one of the two included squishy burrito toys and engage in a hilarious battle of speed and reflexes. These burrito battles can range from a quick duel to an all-out burrito-throwing frenzy, making each round unpredictable and outrageously fun. This unexpected physical element is what truly sets Throw Throw Burrito apart from other card games.

What’s in the Box?

Before we dive into the rules, let’s take a look at what you’ll find inside the Throw Throw Burrito box:

• 120 Cards: These are your standard playing cards, and come in a variety of types such as sets, duel cards, burrito brawl cards, and more.
• 2 Squishy Burritos: These are the stars of the show! Soft and squishy, these burritos are safe for throwing and are central to the game’s physical challenges.
• 1 Game Badge: This token signifies the starting player for the round.
• Instruction Manual: While this guide is comprehensive, it’s always a good idea to have the official rulebook handy.

Setting Up the Game

Getting ready to play Throw Throw Burrito is quick and easy, ensuring you can dive right into the action:

1. Gather Your Players: The game is designed for 2-6 players. The more the merrier, as more people can make it more fun.
2. Shuffle the Deck: Thoroughly shuffle all 120 cards.
3. Deal the Cards: Deal 15 cards to each player, placing the remaining cards face-down to form a draw pile in the center of the playing area.
4. Place the Burritos: Put the two squishy burritos within easy reach of all players.
5. Determine the First Player: Give the game badge to a random player to begin the first round.

The Basics of Gameplay

Now, let’s get into the meat (and beans!) of how to actually play Throw Throw Burrito. A round consists of these main phases:

1. Drawing and Discarding

Each player begins a round with 15 cards in their hand. Simultaneously and as quickly as possible, all players are doing the following:

• Drawing a Card: Grab the top card of the draw pile and add it to your hand.
• Discarding a Card: Choose a card from your hand and discard it face-up into a discard pile, located next to the draw pile.

The goal of this phase is to quickly make sets of 3 matching cards. Matching cards are indicated by an identical picture on the card. This is all happening simultaneously, so you will see people drawing and discarding cards very quickly.

2. Making Sets

As you are frantically drawing and discarding cards, you are also trying to match sets of 3 cards with identical pictures. These sets are worth points at the end of the round. You are able to place down multiple sets if you have them, and you can put them down at any point in the round, but remember to always be drawing and discarding cards. Once you have placed down a set you may not use them again.

3. Burrito Battles

The real fun begins when you draw a special card. There are three types of special cards that trigger burrito battles. Each one has a different effect. Here’s a breakdown of each type:

• Burrito Brawl Cards: If you draw a card that says “Burrito Brawl” on it, it triggers a brawl. Only the players holding two cards with matching pictures fight in this brawl. Everyone else is safe until the next burrito brawl. These two players must quickly grab one burrito each and try to hit the other player with it. The first player to successfully hit the other player with the burrito wins the brawl and earns points for winning the brawl. More details on how to do this in the section below, “How to win Burrito Battles”.
• Burrito Duel Cards: If you draw a card that says “Burrito Duel” on it, it triggers a duel. The player that drew the duel card, and the player with the card matching the picture on the duel card must engage in a burrito duel. Everyone else is safe until the next duel or brawl card is drawn. Like in a brawl, both players grab a burrito and try to hit the other player. The first player to successfully hit the other player with the burrito wins the duel and earns points for winning the duel.
• Burrito War Cards: If you draw a card that says “Burrito War” on it, it triggers a war. Everyone immediately engages in the war, except for the person that drew the war card. Everyone immediately grabs for the squishy burritos and throws them at the other players. The last player who is not hit by a burrito is the winner and earns points.

4. End of the Round

Once the draw pile has been depleted, or if a designated amount of time has passed (such as 2-3 minutes), the round ends. Players count up their sets of 3 matching cards and points that they earned from the burrito battles. It’s important to note that unplaced sets in your hand are worth nothing. The player holding the game badge then passes the badge to the player on their left, and a new round begins with new cards and a new chance for chaotic burrito fun!

How to Win Burrito Battles

Burrito battles are the heart of the chaos in Throw Throw Burrito. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:

1. Grab a Burrito: When a brawl, duel or war card is triggered, quickly grab a burrito. If there aren’t enough, players who don’t have one are out of that particular burrito battle.
2. Hit Your Opponent: Throw the burrito at the specified opponent. The goal is to hit the other player with the burrito before they hit you.
3. First Hit Wins: The first player to successfully hit their opponent with the burrito wins the battle and will earn points for the victory.
4. No Headshots: Aim for the torso, legs, or arms. Headshots are generally frowned upon in the game, so try to avoid hitting anyone in the head.
5. Be Safe: Remember that you are playing with squishy toys, and it is all in good fun. You should throw the burritos gently and safely. It is always important to be mindful of your surroundings and make sure there are no breakable objects within range.

Scoring

Keeping score in Throw Throw Burrito is simple:

• Sets of Three: Each set of three matching cards you place face-up in front of you at the end of the round is worth 1 point.
• Burrito Battle Wins: Winning a brawl, duel or war earns you one point.

You can keep score using the game instructions or a sheet of paper. Keep tally each round until the predetermined number of rounds or game points have been achieved.

Winning the Game

The first player to reach a predetermined number of points, such as 10 points or 15 points, is declared the winner. You can also play a designated number of rounds, and the player with the most points at the end wins the game. Feel free to adjust this to your preference and the time you have available.

Advanced Strategies and Tips

Now that you have the basics down, here are some tips to up your Throw Throw Burrito game:

• Watch the Discard Pile: Keeping an eye on the discard pile can help you anticipate what cards might be coming up. This allows you to quickly draw sets and be ahead of the game.
• Prioritize Sets: While burrito battles are fun, don’t neglect collecting sets. A steady stream of points is often more reliable than relying on burrito-throwing skills alone.
• Be Prepared: Stay alert and have your hands close to the burritos. You never know when a burrito battle card will be drawn, and you will need to be quick to react.
• Strategic Discarding: Don’t discard cards randomly. Discard cards you know you don’t need, and plan your next draw. If you see people trying to match a certain type of card, you can try to hoard them to make it harder for others to make sets.
• The Art of the Toss: Don’t be afraid to practice your throwing skills! A well-placed burrito can be the difference between victory and defeat. Aim for the legs or chest for easier hits.
• Embrace the Chaos: Throw Throw Burrito is meant to be chaotic and unpredictable. Don’t get too stressed out about strategy and just have fun!

Variations and House Rules

Throw Throw Burrito is a game that begs for customization. Here are a few variations and house rules you can try to mix things up:

• Sudden Death Burrito Wars: If a round is tied, have a sudden death burrito war to determine the winner of that round.
• Card Draw Penalty: For every card in your hand at the end of the round, lose a point. This will encourage people to discard cards more strategically.
• Reverse Burrito: If you win a burrito battle, you must throw the burrito back to the other player for another battle. This can go on until someone does not hit their opponent.
• Team Play: Try playing in teams, with teammates working together to collect sets and win burrito battles.
• Themed Burrito Battles: Make up themed rules for each burrito battle, such as throwing while blindfolded or only being able to use your non-dominant hand.

Why You Should Play Throw Throw Burrito

Throw Throw Burrito is more than just a card game; it’s an experience. Here are a few reasons why you should add it to your collection:

• Unpredictable Fun: The combination of card collecting and physical challenges makes each game unique and unpredictable.
• Easy to Learn: The rules are simple enough for anyone to grasp quickly, making it a great option for game nights with friends and family.
• Highly Engaging: The fast-paced gameplay keeps everyone involved and laughing from start to finish.
• Great Icebreaker: The silly nature of the game is perfect for breaking the ice and getting people comfortable with each other.
• Portable: The game is easy to pack and take on the go, making it perfect for travel, parties, and picnics.
• Unique: No other game quite captures the same combination of cards and squishy burritos.

Final Thoughts

Throw Throw Burrito is a must-have for anyone who loves a good dose of silliness and chaos. Whether you’re a seasoned card game enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, this game is sure to provide hours of entertainment. So gather your friends, grab a burrito, and get ready to throw your way to victory! Don’t be afraid to embrace the randomness of the game, and laugh at each round! Happy Burrito throwing!