Edition: Classic Mikado with 41 sticks. Last checked October 25, 2026
Pick-up Sticks Rules: How to Play Mikado
Pick-up Sticks, known in Europe as Mikado, is a calm game for steady hands. The sticks are dropped in a pile, and you remove them one at a time without making any other stick move. Here are the rules and the points families argue about most.
- Players
- 2 to 6
- Age
- 5 and up
- Playing time
- 15 to 30 minutes
How to win: Collect sticks worth the most points. The player with the most points after the agreed number of rounds wins.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Pick-up Sticks (Mikado).
Can you use a stick you have won as a tool?
Only the Mikado stick.
Under the classic rule, only the Mikado stick may be used as a helper, and only after you have picked it up yourself.
Many families also allow the Mandarin sticks as tools, or any stick you have won.
How much does another stick have to move to end your turn?
Just a tiny bit.
Any movement counts, even if a stick only rolls or wobbles a little. The other players watch closely and decide.
With little kids, only movements everyone can clearly see count.
Who drops the sticks for a new round?
It depends.
Traditionally the player who starts the round drops them. Some rule sets let the player on the left drop them to avoid a staged drop.
Many families simply take turns, or let whoever lost the last round drop the sticks next.
Do you count points or the number of sticks?
Points.
In classic Mikado the sticks have different values, and the total points decide the winner.
With the youngest players, families often just count who has the most sticks.
What you need
- A set of pick-up sticks or Mikado sticks
- Paper and pencil for scoring
- A flat table or floor
Setup
- 1Find a smooth surface, ideally without a tablecloth.
- 2Agree on how many rounds you will play, for example 5, and who goes first.
- 3The starting player gathers all the sticks in one hand and holds them upright with the ends touching the table.
- 4Let go so the sticks fall into a random pile.
How to play
- 1The starting player tries to remove one stick from the pile without moving any other stick.
- 2You may lift it with your fingers, push it away, or press on the tip so it flips up.
- 3If you succeed, keep the stick and try for another one.
- 4Once you have the Mikado stick, you may use it as a tool to pry other sticks loose.
- 5If any other stick moves, your turn is over and the stick you were working on stays where it is.
- 6Play passes clockwise to the next player, who continues with the pile as it lies.
- 7When all sticks are taken, each player adds up their points.
- 8The next player drops the sticks for a new round. After the last round, the highest total wins.
Point values in a classic Mikado set
Many sets have 41 sticks. Check the box, because colors differ between brands and some sets use a simpler color chart.
- Mikado, 1 stick: 20 points. Often blue or with a spiral.
- Mandarin, 5 sticks: 10 points each.
- Bonze, 5 sticks: 5 points each.
- Samurai, 15 sticks: 3 points each.
- Kuli, 15 sticks: 2 points each.
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Pick-up Sticks (Mikado) rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many sticks are in a Mikado set?
A classic set has 41 sticks, but there are sets with fewer, such as large outdoor sets. Many simple pick-up sticks sets have around 30. Check the box for your set.
Which stick is worth the most in pick-up sticks?
The Mikado stick, worth 20 points in a classic set. There is only one. In color-based sets it is usually the single black or spiral stick.
Do you keep the stick if another stick moves while you take it?
No. The stick you were working on does not count and stays in the pile, and play passes to the next player.
Source: Classic Mikado rules from rulebooks and common family tradition. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.