RuneBags
Questions and answers
The questions people ask most about RuneBags.
Is RuneBags free?
Yes. RuneBags is free, with no advertising and nothing to buy.
Do I need an account?
No. You can play the computer and your friends without one. An account keeps your statistics across devices, gives you a rating and a public profile, and lets you challenge other players. It only needs an email address: you sign in with a one-time link, and there is no password.
How do I play with a friend?
Choose Play online, then Play with a friend. You get a room code, a link and a QR code to send. Games in a room are friendly: they don't change anyone's rating.
How do ranked games work?
Quick play pairs you with a player of a similar rating, and challenges can be ranked too; both players need an account. Everyone starts at an Elo rating of 1200, and each player has ten minutes on the clock.
What if nobody is online when I want to play?
Play by correspondence: choose Play online, then By correspondence, and close the app. The game starts as soon as someone else looks for one. You then have a day for each move, a notification tells you when it is your turn, and a move not played in time loses the game. Between two accounts it counts on the same ladder as quick play. While you wait, you can play the computer.
How strong is the computer?
There are five levels, from Easy to Expert. None of them sees your hand or the runes you will draw. In our tests, each level beat the one below it about two games out of three.
Can I take back a move, or review my game?
Against the computer, yes. Undo (or Ctrl+Z) takes back your last move for as long as the round is on. Once the game is over, Review the game gives your accuracy, sorts each of your moves from excellent to blunder and shows the turning point. Each move is judged as the Expert level would judge it, without seeing your opponent's hand.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes, in the browser of any phone, tablet or computer. You can also install RuneBags on your home screen: the home page offers it when your browser allows it.
Can I play at the table?
Yes. The free print-and-play kit has the board, a quick reference and labels for the tokens.
How long does a game last?
A round takes a few minutes. A game is played over several rounds, until one player holds the majority of the points still in play.
Which languages is it in?
French and English. The game follows your browser's language; you can change it in Settings or at the bottom of the home page.
Who makes RuneBags?
Piero Barrette, in Quebec, who also created Hexaequo, a strategy game for two.
What do you do with my data?
As little as possible: no cookies, no advertising, and visits are only counted as anonymous daily totals. The privacy policy has the details.