Dobble - the rules

Dobble is so simple that it takes very little time to understand its rules. Each game card contains 8 symbols, one of which is always the same on two cards. The key is to find that symbol as quickly as possible! This is a great card gametraining each player's reaction.

Dobble game

Other games for children

Probably all parents want to engage their children in as many different games as possible. Not all such games use cards. We suggest you try Twister game . Children will be able to move around, competing to see who will be the last one to survive the collapse. Trying to stay up without falling is very important for learning to balance as well as possible. After playing Twister, little ones will just fall into their beds because they will be so full. And what more do we need in this computer age - more movement.

Dobble rules and getting ready for the game

The game set includes:

  • 55 cards;
  • 8 symbols per card (only one matching on any two cards);
  • more than 50 characters in total.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How many people can play Dobble?

According to Dobble rules, you can play from  2 to 8 people.

❓ How old can I play Dobble?

According to the official rules, Dobble is for players from 8 years old. But in reality, even younger children love to play it.

❓ How long does it take to play one game of Dobble?

Game duration: approx. 15 minutes.

If this is your first time playing Dobble

If there is at least one person among the players who is new to Dobble, turn over two cards at random. Then look for the symbol that appears on both cards (same colour, same shape, only the size may differ). The first player to find a matching symbol names it and draws two new cards. The process is repeated until all players realise that there is only one matching symbol on the two cards.

The aim of the game

The key is to be the fastest and spot the matching symbol on two cards. Further actions depend on the rules of the mini-game being played. The symbol has to be named and the card has to be picked up, placed or discarded.

Examples of Dobble symbols

One Dobble game - five different mini-game rules

Mini-games are played by all players simultaneously. They can be played in a specific or random order, or one game can be played multiple times in a row. The main thing is to choose what you like best and have fun. Before starting each game, you need to read the rules or even play a demonstration round. This will ensure that all players understand how to play. 

Mini-game #1 - "Tower"

Preparing for the game:

All players are dealt 1 card face down. The remaining face-up cards are made into a deck and placed in a prominent place for all players to see.

Aim of the game:

Collect as many points as possible. Play until the deck runs out.

Tower mini-game

How the game works:

All players' cards are turned up simultaneously. The first player to find a matching symbol on his card and the one face up at the top of the deck calls out the name of the symbol. He then takes the card at the top of the deck for himself and places it face up on top of his existing card. He then looks for a matching symbol on his new card and the one now at the top of the deck.

End of game:

This Dobble game ends when the central deck of cards is exhausted. The winner is the one with the most cards.

Mini-game #2 - "The Well"

Preparing for the game:

Remove one card from the deck and place it face down on the table. The remaining cards are dealt equally to all players. After the cards have been dealt, the card that was left behind is turned face up and placed in a position within easy reach of everyone. Each player shuffles his cards and places them face down in front of him as a deck.

Aim of the game:

Get rid of your cards as soon as possible.

Mini-toy Well

How the game works:

All players must turn over the top cards of their decks at the same time. The first player to find a matching symbol on his or her own card and the centre card places his or her top card face up on the centre card and turns over the top card of his or her deck.

End of game:

This time, the winner is not the winner, but the loser. It is the last person to get rid of their deck of cards.

Mini-game #3 - "Hot potato"

Preparing for the game:

The game will last several rounds. Each player receives 1 card face down. The cards must be held in such a way that they can be turned over as quickly as possible. The remaining cards will be used for the next rounds.

Aim of the game:

Get rid of your playing card as soon as possible.

Hot potato mini-game

How the game works:

All players' cards are turned up simultaneously. They are held in the hand at all times. The first player to find a matching symbol on his or her own card and on any other player's card names it and then places his or her card on top of his or her opponent's card. This player now searches for matching symbols between the newly received card and the other opponents' cards. The other players also search for a matching symbol. When a player finds a matching symbol, he names it and then places all the cards in his hand on top of his opponent's top card.

End of game:

A round ends when one player has all the playing cards. Collected cards must be placed in front of the player who collected them. A new round then begins. The game may last for as many rounds as the players agree, but no less than 5. The game ends when there are no cards left in the deck. The loser is the player against whom the most cards have been placed.

Mini-game #4 - "Catch them all!"

Preparing for the game:

The game lasts several rounds. One card is placed face up in the middle, with as many face down cards around it as there are players. The remaining cards are left for the next rounds.

Aim of the game:

Collect as many cards as possible.

Catch 'em all mini-game

How the game works:

All cards are opened at the same time. You then need to look for the matching symbol on the centre card and on any other card. Whoever finds and names the symbol takes the matching card (not necessarily their own). The centre card cannot be taken. The card taken must be turned over and placed in front of you. Next, the matching symbols are searched for again on the central card and on the rest of the cards face up. If one player finds all the matching symbols in this round, he will take them all.

End of game:

When there are no more cards around, the centre card is placed at the bottom of the deck to start a new round. The order of play remains the same. The game ends when there are no cards left in the deck. The player with the most cards wins.

Mini-game #5 - "Poisoned Gift"

Preparing for the game:

Shuffle the cards. One is dealt to each player. The rest are placed in a deck in a place accessible to all.

Aim of the game:

Collect as few cards as possible before the end of the deck.

Mini-toy Poisoned Gift

How the game works:

All cards are opened at the same time. Players look for a matching symbol on the centre card and on any face-up card. Whoever finds a matching symbol takes the centre card and places it on the card with which it matches. A new centre card is then turned over and the game continues.

End of game:

At the end of the deck, the game is over. The player with the fewest cards wins.

Dobble is over

Whoever wins the most mini-games wins the whole game. If the players wish, a tournament can be played. Since Dobble cards based on a branch of mathematics - geometry, the game itself can be played mathematically by counting points.

If Dobble is played as a tournament, we calculate points as follows:

The tournament starts with the game "Tower". The losing player can choose another mini-game.

"Tower":

+1 a point for each card collected;

+ 5 points to the player who collects the most cards.

"The Well":

+10 points to the first player to get rid of all his cards;

-20 points to the last player to discard his cards.

"A poisoned gift":

+20 points to the player who collects the fewest cards;

+10 points to the second lowest scorer.

"Hot potato":

-5 points for losing a round;

"Catch them all":

+1 a point for each card collected.

When in doubt

The first person to name the symbol wins. If more than one player names it at the same time, the first player to pick up, put down or throw the card wins.

Draw

If there is a tie at the end of the mini-game, then the respective players are tied. Each draws one card. They are turned over simultaneously. The first player to find and name the symbol wins. If there are more than two players, the game is "Hot potato".