Board game guide
Splendor
Build an engine. Make every gem count.
Splendor begins with a handful of gem tokens and ends with a compact engine of permanent discounts. The rules are light; the interesting part is deciding whether to claim a card now or invest in a better turn later.
- Players
- 2–4
- Time
- 30 min
- Experience
- Beginner-friendly strategy
- Track
- Final points
How to play
Give the table a clear rhythm.
Use this as a quick first-game guide, then keep the official rules close for edge cases and exact details.
Choose one action
On your turn, take gem tokens, reserve one development card or buy one development card. Complete just one of these actions before play passes clockwise.
Collect gem tokens
Take three differently coloured gems, or take two of one colour when at least four matching tokens are available before you take them.
Reserve a development
Take one face-up card or the top card of a deck into your hand. If a gold token is available, take it as a wild gem; you may hold no more than three reserved cards.
Buy and build your discount
Pay a card’s cost with tokens and permanent bonuses from cards you already own. Keep the new card face up so its bonus reduces future costs.
Claim nobles and finish the round
At the end of your turn, a qualifying noble visits automatically. Reaching 15 prestige triggers the final round; the player with the most prestige wins.
Before the first turn
Set up for a smooth start.
- Make three face-up rows with four development cards from each level.
- Use the token count specified for the number of players and place gold separately.
- Reveal one more noble tile than the number of players.
- Keep the ten-token hand limit visible to everyone.
Make it a season
Let efficient engines shape the season.
Record prestige and placement, then use total nobles or fewest purchased developments as a season tiebreak. A short series reveals who can adapt when the market changes.
Create your season- Result
- Prestige + placement
- Season points
- 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
- Tiebreak
- Fewest developments
- Cadence
- Best of four games