Octopus Action Cards Library

Details and commentary on the rules for each Octopus Action Card in the Throw Octopus game including the following cards:  Throw Octopus! |  Magic Touch |  Shark Attack |  Stinky Inky  |  Tile Party  |   Octo Shield  |  Bonus Turn  |  Go Fishing 

Throw Octopus!:

The Throw Octopus! card allows the player to select any player (or next player depending on the card) and do the following actions: 1) Throw the octopus plushie at them … IF YOU HIT THE PLAYER WITH THE PLUSHIE* … THEN 2) They have to draw 2 tiles from the Tile Pile AND 3) They lose their next turn. This card must be played immediately and may not be saved for later use. The only way the other player can stop this power is if they have an Octo Shield card. The Octo Shield card provides immunity against a Throw Octopus! attack.

*when throwing the plushie, you must be at least 2 feet away from your target to allow them space to dodge your throw. If you miss hitting them, they do not have to draw 2 new tiles, nor lose their next turn. Players must stay in the same room (no hiding outside or in another room), and the plushie must be thrown within 30 seconds to ensure the game play continues at a reasonable pace.

Discard After Use: Once the Throw Octopus! card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile), even if the other player used the Octo Shield.

Magic Touch:

The Magic Touch card can be saved for later use (one use only). When its your turn, you can use this card to allow you to move another played tile (limited to the colors designated on the card) to allow you to make a play. Here are two examples of how to use this power …

Example 1:

Above (left): You have the mid-section yellow tile in your hand (shown above card) but you’re unable to play it.

Above (right): By using the “Magic Touch” card, you can move or slide the corner yellow tile on the seascape outward then you can play your middle section tile in between the two corners.

Example 2:

Above (left): You have the corner yellow tile in your hand (shown above card) but you’re unable to play it.

Above (right): By using the “Magic Touch” card, you can move the corner yellow/blue tile (see circled tile on left of the above left photo) so it fits underneath the blue/orange tile (see circled tile in lower right photo, rotate tile to fit), then you can play the corner yellow tile.

Note: Once you move a tile (to help make your play), before you end your turn, you must make sure the seascape retains its integrity. This means you can not leave tiles hanging diagonally or not properly connected. You may only move nearby tiles (within 2 tiles distance) to help fix a potential problem you created once you moved the tile. If you can not fix the problem, you must return the tiles to their original state before your turn started. Then you must end your turn by drawing a new tile from the Tile Pile.

Discard After Use: Once the Magic Touch card is played (one use only) you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Shark Attack:

The Shark Attack card allows you to pick another player and give them one of the tiles in your hand. This card must be played immediately and may not be saved for later use.

Discard After Use: Once the Shark Attack card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Stinky Inky:

The Stinky Inky card forces you to immediately draw 2 new tiles from the Draw Pile. Yes, you may cry if you draw this horrible card! This card must be played immediately and may not be saved for later use.

Discard After Use: Once the Stinky Inky card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Go Fishing:

The Go Fishing card allows to exchange one of the tiles in your hand with a mystery tile from the Tile Pile. This power works great when you have a tile that is very difficult to play. This card must be played immediately and may not be saved for later use.

Discard After Use: Once the Go Fishing card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Octo Shield:

The Octo Shield card gives you immunity against a Throw Octopus! attack.

The Octo Shield card can be saved for later use (one use only). Once drawn, place this card face up on the table in front of you to show others that you have this power. If another player draws the Throw Octopus! card and they have the choice of selecting any player, they may opt to choose another player since you’re immune for 1 attack, or they can use on you to take away your power in the future. If they select you or if they have to use the Throw Octopus on the next player (and that’s you) then you must “use the card” and receive immunity from the attack.

Discard After Use: Once the Octo Shield card is used you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Tile Party:

The Tile Party card forces all the other players (except you) to draw one tile. This card must be played immediately and may not be saved for later use.

Discard After Use: Once the Tile Party card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).

Bonus:

The Bonus Turn card allows you to take another turn (and play another tile). The Bonus Turn card can be used immediately or saved for later use (one use only). When used, this card allows you to take 2 turns in a row and can be quite powerful near the end of the game.

Discard After Use: Once the Bonus Turn card is played you must discard the card to the discard pile (or place on the bottom of the draw pile).