The abstract game of Qwirkle comes with 108 wooden blocks with six different shapes in six different colors. There is no board, players use any available flat surface.

Players start the game with six blocks. The first player places blocks of a single matching attribute (color or shape but not both) on the table. Thereafter, players adds blocks adjacent to at least one previously played block. Blocks must all be played in a line and match, without duplicates, either the color or shape of the previous block.

Players score a point for each block played plus all blocks adjacent. It is possible for a block to score in multiple directions. If players completes a line containing all six shapes or colors, an additional six points are scored. The player then refills their hand to six blocks.

The game ends when the draw bag is empty and one player plays all of his remaining blocks, earning a six point bonus. The player with the high score wins the game.