Playing Dobble is a fun and engaging experience due to its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Dobble, including an explanation of its multiple mini-games:
Game Components
- 55 Circular Cards: Each card features 8 different symbols.
- Symbols: Each pair of cards shares exactly one symbol in common.
Objective
The primary goal in Dobble is to be the quickest player to spot the matching symbol between two cards. There are several game variations, but all are based on this simple premise.
General Rules
- Setup: Shuffle the deck and deal the appropriate number of cards according to the game variation you choose.
- Gameplay: Players compete to be the first to identify the common symbol between two cards.
- Winning: Points or cards are earned by correctly identifying symbols. The player with the most points/cards at the end wins.
Game Variations
Dobble offers multiple ways to play, each with its unique rules and objectives. Here are the five main game variations:
1. The Tower of Doom
- Setup:
- Place one card face up in the center of the table. This is the "Tower".
- Deal the remaining cards evenly to all players, face down.
-Gameplay:
- Players simultaneously flip their top card face up.
- Players race to identify the matching symbol between their card and the center card.
- The first player to correctly call out the matching symbol places their card on top of the tower.
- Winning:
- The game continues until a player has placed all their cards on the tower.
- The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.
2. The Well
- Setup:
- Place one card face down in front of each player. This is their "draw pile".
- Place one card face up in the center of the table. This is the "well".
- Gameplay:
- Players simultaneously flip their top card face up onto their draw pile.
- Players race to identify the matching symbol between their card and the card in the well.
- The first player to correctly call out the matching symbol places their card in the well.
- Winning:
- The game continues until the draw piles are empty.
- The player with the most cards in the well wins.
3. Hot Potato
- Setup:
- Deal one card face down to each player.
- Gameplay:
- Players simultaneously flip their cards face up.
- Players race to identify the matching symbol between their card and another player’s card.
- The first player to correctly call out the matching symbol gives their card to the other player.
- Winning:
- The round ends when one player collects all the cards.
- The player with the fewest cards at the end of several rounds wins.
4. The Poisoned Gift
- Setup:
- Place one card face up in the center of the table.
- Deal the remaining cards evenly to all players, face down.
- Gameplay:
- Players simultaneously flip their top card face up.
- Players race to identify the matching symbol between any two cards (another player's card and the center card).
- The first player to correctly call out the matching symbol places their card on top of the opponent's pile.
- Winning:
- The game continues until a player has accumulated all the cards.
- The player with the fewest cards at the end wins.
5. Triplet
- Setup:
- Place nine cards face up in a 3x3 grid in the center of the table.
- Gameplay:
- Players race to identify a set of three cards with the same matching symbol.
- The first player to correctly call out the matching symbol and collect the triplet keeps the cards.
- Winning:
- The game continues until no more sets are available.
- The player with the most sets collected wins.
Tips for Playing Dobble
1. Stay Focused: Concentrate on the cards and look for patterns rather than individual symbols.
2. Be Quick: Speed is crucial, so try to spot the match as quickly as possible.
3. Practice: The more you play, the better you’ll become at recognising symbols quickly.
4. Keep Calm: While speed is important, staying calm helps you focus better!
Dobble Variants
There are many themed variants of Dobble available, such as:
- Dobble Kids: Simplified symbols and fewer cards, ideal for younger children from 4 years and up
- Dobble Pixar: Features favourites from Toys Story, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo
Enjoy playing Dobble, and may the fastest eye win!
