Shootout

SHOOTOUT is a minimalist tabletop sports game designed for 2 players that perfectly replicates the raw tension of a football penalty shootout. By stripping away the fat, SHOOTOUT delivers a lightning-fast micro-game that balances hidden psychological strategy, calculated risk management, and the chaotic bounce of the ball.

Can you read your opponent's mind, or will you smash it into the stands?

 How It Works

A standard match lasts 5 intense rounds. One player takes the role of the Kicker, while the other steps up as the Keeper.

1. The Mind Game: Both players secretly choose a direction card (LEFT, CENTER, or RIGHT) and reveal them simultaneously.
2. The Strike: The Kicker rolls the Shot Die (1 to 6) to set the target zone.
3. The Dive: If the Keeper guessed the wrong direction, they only get 1 Save Die to try and match the Kicker's number. If they guessed right, they cover the angle and get 3 Save Dice to find a match.
4. The Result: If any of the Keeper's dice match the Kicker's roll exactly, it's an epic SAVE! If not, it's a GOAL!

Built on Real-World Math

No bloated mechanics here. By balancing a 1-die desperate save against a 3-dice anticipated save, SHOOTOUT naturally mirrors professional soccer statistics over a large scale, yielding a realistic 75% goal rate and a 25% save rate. The rules are clean, but the probability curve is bulletproof.

What You Need to Play

SHOOTOUT is a Print-and-Play (PnP) "pub game" designed to fit in a pocket or a mint tin. To play, you just need to bring:

• 6 Cards total: 3 Direction Cards per player (LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT).
• 4 Standard Dice (d6): 1 for the Kicker, 3 for the Keeper.

What's Included in the Download?

• Official Rule Sheet: A high-visibility, simplified 9-step instruction manual.
• Print-and-Play Cards: A clean, minimalist black-and-white card asset sheet ready for home printing.

🕹️ Game Details

• Players: 2
• Play Time: 1 to 3 minutes per match
• Ages: 6+
• Mechanics: Rock-Paper-Scissors, Hidden Hand Selection, Dice-Matching, Risk Management

Designed by a soccer fan, engineered by probability. Download the PnP files below and see if you have the composure to win the cup!