Teach the Game

A quick explanation of Splendor’s gem economy, development cards, nobles, and race to 15 prestige.

How you win

Build a network of development cards whose permanent bonuses make future purchases cheaper. Earn prestige from valuable cards and noble visits; the first player to reach 15 prestige triggers the end.

The boards

Splendor has no board. Three face-down decks form a market by level, with four cards of each level revealed. Gem tokens and noble tiles sit nearby. The five colors are white, blue, green, red, and black; gold is wild.

A round

On your turn take exactly one of four actions: take three different gem colors; take two of the same color if at least four were in the supply before you took them; reserve one visible or blind development card and take a gold token if available; or buy one card by paying its remaining cost. Your own bonuses reduce costs, one matching symbol per bonus. Refill an empty market slot from its deck after a purchase or reserve.

If your total gems exceed ten at the end of your turn, return gems until you hold ten. A reserved card stays private and you may have no more than three reserved cards.

How the game ends

When someone has at least 15 prestige at the end of a turn, finish the round so everyone has had the same number of turns. The most prestige wins; ties go to the tied player with fewer development cards.

Ways to score

Prestige is printed on some development cards and every noble tile. Most cards instead build a colored bonus engine: acquire different colors so you can qualify for nobles and lower later costs.

What each resource is for

Gem tokens pay card costs. Gold substitutes for any color. A card’s color bonus counts as one permanent gem of that color when paying later. Reserved cards are future purchase options, while a gold token compensates for taking one out of the shared display.

Teaching tips

Show the group that a card costs less after you buy cards with matching bonuses. Explain the two-gem action by checking the supply before taking the pair; the four-token minimum is easy to miss. Nobles are an automatic end-of-turn visit when your bonuses qualify, so players can plan toward the visible requirements.

Setup

For a labeled setup overview see Cards & Components. The number of gems and nobles changes with player count; card display and gold count do not.