Setup
Each player receives 6 rings; all cards form one draw pile in the center.
In Duel mode, both players each receive exactly 6 Staka rings — this is all that is needed for this mode, as figure diagrams use at most 6 rings. All 39 cards are shuffled into a single face-down draw pile placed in the center of the table.
Turn structure
Duel mode is simultaneous — both players stack at the same time, not in turns.
In Duel mode, there is no first player and no turn order. Both players compete at the same time. The round begins when a card is drawn and placed face-up on the table, revealing the figure diagram. Both players immediately begin trying to stack their rings to match the diagram.
Scoring
The first player to correctly match the figure diagram wins the duel and takes the card.
In Duel mode, the first player who successfully stacks their rings exactly according to the figure diagram shown on the card wins that duel. They take the card and add it to their score pile. All other players must immediately stop stacking. The game then proceeds to the next round with a new card.
Endgame
The first player to collect 5 cards wins the Duel mode game.
In Duel mode, the first player to win 5 duels (and thus collect 5 cards) wins the overall game.
Setup
Separate cards into two piles (20 easy, 19 tricky); place rings, die, and score tracking materials within reach.
In Flash mode, the 39 cards are split into two separate face-down draw piles: one pile of 20 easy cards and one pile of 19 trickier cards. Both piles are placed in the center of the table. The storage column with Staka rings and the die are placed within reach of all players. Players also need paper and pen or a phone to track scores.
General
Before Flash mode begins, the group decides which card pile(s) to use and keeps that consistent within each round.
Before starting Flash mode, all players agree as a team whether to use the easy cards, the trickier cards, or a combination (e.g., alternating each round, or 3 rounds easy then switching to tricky on round 4). The critical rule is that all players must draw from the same pile of cards throughout any given round.
Turn structure
The player who most recently dropped something goes first as the stacker in Flash mode.
In Flash mode, the first stacker is determined by who most recently dropped something (any object). That player draws a card, shows it to all other players, and becomes the stacker for the first round.
Turn structure
The stacker draws a card and attempts to build the figure; the game starts the moment they pick up a ring.
In Flash mode, the stacker draws a card and shows it to all players. The card shows a figure diagram that must be built by stacking Staka rings. The game (and die rolling by the counter) begins the instant the stacker picks up a wooden ring.