A BJJ Card Game

ChainGrapplers

Rules

Learn the game fast, then check the full rules.

Start with the short version, then move into the exact chain logic, submission pressure, and special card effects.

Quick Rules

  1. Give the youngest player the Takedown card.
  2. Shuffle the deck and deal the cards.
  3. Each player starts with 6 cards.
  4. The round opens with Takedown.
  5. On your turn, you may play up to 2 cards.
  6. Most cards follow the chain. Your card's Start color must match the current card's Result color.
  7. If a player attacks, the opponent must answer with a matching defensive card.
  8. At the end of your turn, you may draw 1 card unless you are holding Fatigue.
  9. If a submission is active, the defender must escape. With no playable card, they get one Hail Mary draw. If it is not playable, the defender is submitted.

How to Read a Card

Each positional card shows a move from one position into another.

  • Start color: where the move begins.
  • Result color: where the move ends.
  • Green: neutral exchange.
  • Yellow: stronger pressure and control.
  • Orange: major advantage and finishing pressure.
  • Red: submission threat or submission escape.

Visual Guide

How the chain works

This example shows how cards connect through matching colors.

Takedown card Yellow to green defensive card Green to orange offensive card Orange to red offensive card Red to green escape card

Full Rules

Setup

Legal cards and turns

Submissions and Hail Mary

Special Cards

  • Mat Enforcer: draw 3 cards.
  • Teenage Rage: the next card may be any follow-up.
  • The Black Belt: pick up the most recently played card, except Takedown.
  • Fatigue: blocks drawing while it is in your hand.
  • Ultra Heavy: steal 1 random card from your opponent.

Winning

  • Submission: win when the opponent cannot answer a submission.
  • Card advantage: if the deck is exhausted and the chain stops, fewer cards left wins.
  • Draw: if both players are equally stuck, the round is a draw.