Masterball has 32 segments: 16 large segments that form the UPPER AND LOWER BANDS of the ball and 16 small segments that form the POLES at the top and bottom of the ball. (See example below.)
Note: Whenever you pick up the ball, designate the Pole at the top as the NORTH POLE, and always keep it on top. You can tilt the ball slightly to move segments on the SOUTH POLE, but afterwards you must always return the NORTH POLE to the top.
There are three stages in solving Masterball. In Stage 1, you must match the colors of the NORTH POLE segments to those of the SOUTH POLE segments directly below them. In Stage 2, you must match the colors of the UPPER BAND segments to the LOWER BAND segments directly below them. In Stage 3, you must match the small and large segments so they are the same color, top to bottom.
You use two kinds of movements in playing Masterball: TWISTS and TURNS.
Example of a TURN: Hold Masterball with the NORTH POLE up. Lightly grasp one of the segments on the UPPER BAND and TURN right until you hear a CLICK. You can also TURN segments on the LOWER BAND and on the NORTH and SOUTH POLES. You can TURN to the left or to the right.
IMPORTANT: 1) Each time you make a TURN, listen for the click to make sure segments line up with those above and below. Continuing to move a ball when the segments are not lined up properly can cause the ball to break apart. 2) Be sure to grasp lightly or the segments won't TURN. 3) When you TURN segments on one BAND or POLE, segments on the other segments should not move.
Example of a TWIST: Hold ball, NORTH POLE up, with your fingers lining up along opposite sides of any VERTICAL GROOVE. Gently TWIST your right hand back, holding your left hand still, until you have TWISTED the ball 180 degrees and the small segments line up at the NORTH POLE. NOTE: If the segments do not line up properly, you can break the ball if you continue to move it.
Practice making TWISTS and TURNS until your Masterball is mixed up. NOW, YOU ARE READY TO PLAY! Follow these links to learn how to solve Masterball.
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