How to Play Entropy
Master the eternal battle between Order and Chaos
Created by Eric Solomon in 1977 • Also known as "Hyle 7"
What Does a Game Look Like?
Here's an example of a completed Entropy game board
A completed 7×7 Entropy board with palindromic patterns
From the Mind Sports Olympiad 2019 - Entropy World Championship (at 1:05:00)
Quick Start
The Goal
Order tries to create palindromic patterns (reads same forwards and backwards) to score points, while Chaos tries to prevent these patterns.
Basic Turn
- Chaos draws a counter from the bag (color unseen) and places it
- Order can slide any counter (including the just-placed one) or pass
- Repeat until all 49 cells are filled
- Score all palindromic patterns in complete horizontal and vertical lines
ABA Pattern = 3 points
Video Tutorial
Watch a complete game walkthrough to see Entropy in action
The Game Board
Board Layout
- • 7×7 grid with 49 squares
- • 7 colors: Red, Yellow, White, Purple, Black, Green, Blue
- • 7 counters of each color (49 total)
- • Coordinates: columns a-g, rows 1-7
Movement Rules
- • Order can slide any counter horizontally or vertically
- • Counters move like chess rooks (straight lines)
- • Cannot jump over occupied squares
- • Must land in an empty square
Empty 7×7 Board
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
Game Setup
Counter Bag
×7
×7
×7
×7
×7
×7
×7
7 counters of each color = 49 total
Starting the Game
- Empty 7×7 board is prepared
- All 49 counters (7 of each color) go in the bag
- Chaos player draws the first counter (unseen)
- Game begins with Chaos placing this first counter
- Order then gets to slide any counter or pass
Important Rules
- • Order can move the just-placed counter immediately
- • Counters move like chess rooks (straight lines, any distance)
- • Cannot jump over occupied squares
- • Order may pass instead of moving
Chaos Player
Role: Prevent Patterns
- • Draw counters randomly from bag
- • Place on any empty square
- • Try to disrupt Order's plans
- • Create awkward positions
Order Player
Role: Create Patterns
- • Slide any counter on the board
- • Build palindromic sequences
- • Can pass (skip turn)
- • Maximize scoring opportunities
Scoring System
Pattern Recognition
A palindromic pattern reads the same forwards and backwards. Patterns are found in complete horizontal and vertical lines only (no diagonals, no partial patterns).
AA
Two identical = 2 points
2 pts
ABA
Basic palindrome = 3 points
3 pts
ABBA
Nested patterns = 6 points
6 pts
Advanced Scoring
- • Nested patterns within larger patterns also score
- • Overlapping patterns each count separately
- • Pattern length = base points (AA=2, ABA=3, ABBA=4, etc.)
- • Example: ABCBA = 8 points (5 for ABCBA + 3 for BCB)
Complete Scoring Reference
All 30 possible palindromic patterns and their point values
Basic Patterns
AATwo identical2 pts
ABABasic three-pattern3 pts
ABBAFour mirrored6 pts
ABCBAFive with unique center8 pts
ABCDCBASeven fully unique15 pts
Identical Patterns
AAAThree identical7 pts
AAAAFour identical16 pts
AAAAAFive identical30 pts
AAAAAASix identical50 pts
AAAAAAASeven identical77 pts
Five-Length Patterns
AABAAFive with inner pattern12 pts
ABABAFive alternating14 pts
ABBBAFive with double center12 pts
Six-Length Patterns
AABBAASix with double center16 pts
ABAABASix with pattern18 pts
ABBBBASix with triple center22 pts
ABCCBASix with double center12 pts
Seven-Length Patterns
AAABAAASeven with different center29 pts
AABABAASeven with complex inner25 pts
AABBBAASeven with triple center23 pts
AABCBAASeven with different centers19 pts
ABAAABASeven with inner identical25 pts
ABABABASeven alternating27 pts
ABACABASeven with different center21 pts
ABBABBASeven with inner pattern27 pts
ABBBBBASeven with quadruple center37 pts
ABBCBBASeven with different center19 pts
ABCACBASeven with inner pattern15 pts
ABCBCBASeven with alternating pattern21 pts
ABCCCBASeven with triple center19 pts
Scoring Notes:
- • A, B, C, D represent different colors
- • Nested patterns within larger ones also count
- • Overlapping patterns each score separately
Match Structure
Complete Match
- Setup: All 49 counters go in the bag, Chaos goes first
- Game 1: Player A is Chaos, Player B is Order
- Game 2: Player A is Order, Player B is Chaos (role reversal)
- Winner: Highest total score across both games
Typical Scores
- • Average: ~75 points
- • Good: 100+ points
- • Poor: <50 points
- • Expert: 120+ points
Strategy Tips
For Chaos
- • Place counters to break forming patterns
- • Create gaps that are hard to fill usefully
- • Force Order to make awkward moves
- • Consider remaining colors in the bag
For Order
- • Build toward multiple potential patterns
- • Control the edges of the board
- • Minimize empty spaces Chaos can exploit
- • Sometimes passing is the best move