Kero is a two-player game set in a post-apocalyptic world in which your ability to survive is based on how much kerosene you can find.

Each player has their own sandtimer that holds about sixty seconds worth of sand. On a turn, you must start your sandtimer, then roll the dice however many times you want, keeping results as desired and keeping fire because you have to. With the results of the dice, you purchase buildings and supplies that add to your holdings. Some buildings allow you to place soldiers in different territories, and three battles take place during the game for control of them. You can also gain special ability cards that modify actions or provide points.

If you run out of time, you can spend a turn buying it back — but you gain only as much time as it takes the opponent to roll fire on all the dice in the game.