Section 4: Players & Officials
Jenga may be played by two or more individuals. It also works as a team game when teammates alternate turns and may not physically assist one another. For very large groups, divide into smaller games so turns remain easy to follow.
Turn Order
Choose the first player by mutual agreement, a random method, or by assigning the player who built the tower to go first. Play then proceeds in a fixed clockwise or agreed order. A player who leaves temporarily may be skipped with the group's consent; changing the order to avoid a difficult tower position is not permitted.
Officials and Disputes
No official is required. The non-active players jointly observe each turn and should call violations promptly and consistently. If the group appoints a referee for a tournament or party event, that person should remain neutral, determine whether a move was legal, and rule on the cause of a collapse.
When observers disagree and no referee is present, settle the issue by unanimous agreement where possible. Otherwise, replay the round for an unclear external disturbance or apply the interpretation announced before play. Players should not touch the tower while discussing a ruling.
Conduct
- Players may talk and react, but may not touch, shove, startle, or obstruct the active player.
- Advice is allowed only if the group agrees before play; the active player must still perform the move alone.
- Players should disclose accidental contact with the tower or playing surface.
- Respect reasonable accessibility adjustments, such as additional reach time or seated positioning.