Hanabi Complete Guide: Cooperative Card Game

Hanabi is a unique cooperative card game where players hold their cards facing away from them — you can see everyone else's cards but not your own. Players give each other clues about their hands to cooperatively build a fireworks display of cards in 5 colors, numbered 1-5. Designed by Antoine Bauza, it won the Spiel des Jahres in 2013.

Game Components

What's in the Box

• 60 cards (5 colors × 10 cards each: three 1s, two 2s, two 3s, two 4s, one 5)
• 5 rainbow cards (multicolor — optional 6th suit)
• 8 clock tokens (for giving clues)
• 3 fuse tokens (for mistakes)
• Designed for 2-5 players (best with 3-4)
• Typical game duration 20-30 minutes

How to Play

Setup

1. Choose whether to play with 5 colors or 6 colors (including rainbow).
2. Shuffle the deck and deal cards face-down:
   • 2-3 players: 5 cards each
   • 4-5 players: 4 cards each
3. Each player picks up their cards and holds them facing away — you see the backs, others see the fronts.
4. Place 8 clock tokens and 3 fuse tokens in the center.
5. The oldest player goes first.

Taking a Turn

On your turn, choose one of three actions:

1. Give a Clue (Costs 1 Clock Token)

Point at specific cards in another player's hand and give ONE type of clue:

• Color clue: "These cards are red" — touch all red cards in their hand.
• Number clue: "These cards are 3s" — touch all 3s in their hand.

You must point at ALL cards of that type in their hand — you cannot point at only some. If you give a "red" clue and they have 3 red cards, you must point at all 3.

Clock tokens start at 8. If you have 0 clock tokens, you cannot give a clue.

2. Play a Card

Choose one card from your hand and play it to the center:

• If it correctly continues a firework stack (next number in that color, starting from 1), place it successfully.
• If it does NOT fit any stack, it is a misplay:
  • Place the card in the discard pile.
  • Flip a fuse token to its fire side.
  • If all 3 fuses are lit, the game ends immediately (loss).
• After playing, draw a new card from the deck.

3. Discard a Card

Choose one card from your hand and place it in the discard pile:

• Gain 1 clock token (return to the supply).
• Draw a new card from the deck.

This is your only way to recover clock tokens.

Firework Stacks

Build 5 (or 6) stacks in the center:

• Each color starts with 1, then 2, 3, 4, and ends with 5.
• Cards must be played in order — you cannot play a blue 3 until the blue 2 is on the stack.
• Maximum score: 25 points (5 colors × 5) or 30 with rainbow.

Game End

The game ends when:

1. All 5s are played — perfect game! Score all stacks.
2. 3 fuses are lit — game over. Score what you have.
3. Deck runs out — each player gets one more turn, then score.

Strategy Tips

1. Clue Efficiency

• Each clue costs a precious clock token — make every clue count.
• A single clue that informs about multiple cards is more efficient.
• "These are 1s" pointing at three 1s is better than pointing at one card.

2. The "Is Played" Convention

• When someone gives you a number clue, it often means: "play this card."
• When someone gives you a color clue on a card you already know the number of, it often means: "play this card."
• Develop conventions with your group for consistent communication.

3. Save Critical Cards

• Each color has only one copy of the 5 — if it is discarded, that stack cannot be completed.
• Protect 5s by giving clues about them early.
• Discard cards that are already complete on the stacks (e.g., discard a red 2 if the red stack already has 1-2-3).

4. Track Information

• Remember every clue given — write nothing down (that is cheating).
• Track which cards have been discarded and which are still needed.
• If two red 3s have been discarded, no more red 3s exist.

5. Discard Wisely

• Only discard when you have no useful plays and need clock tokens.
• Choose to discard the card you know least about.
• Never discard a card you know is critical (a 5, or the last copy of a needed card).

Game Variations

Hanabi: Multicolor (Included in some editions)

• Adds rainbow cards as a 6th color
• Requires specific clues for rainbow (not wild)
• Harder variant

Hanabi: Wild Rainbow

• Rainbow cards can be any color
• Rainbow 1 can start any firework stack
• Easier variant, good for beginners

Hanabi: Black Powder

• Adds black cards as a 7th color
• Maximum score becomes 35 points
• Very challenging variant

Hanabi Deluxe

• Premium tiles instead of cards
• Beautiful fireworks-themed card holders
• Same gameplay with upgraded components

Game History

Origins

• Designed by Antoine Bauza (also designed 7 Wonders, Tokaido) and published by Asmodee in 2010
• Bauza wanted to create a game about communication and trust
• The reverse-hand mechanic was inspired by the idea of "seeing others better than yourself"

Awards

• Won the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) in 2013
• Over 1 million copies sold worldwide
• Considered the best pure cooperative card game by many
• Translated into 20+ languages

Statistics

• Designed for 2-5 players (best with 3-4)
• 60 cards (5 colors × 10 cards + 5 rainbow)
• Card distribution per color: three 1s, two 2s, two 3s, two 4s, one 5
• 8 clock tokens (for clues)
• 3 fuse tokens (for mistakes)
• Maximum score: 25 (5 colors) or 30 (with rainbow)
• Hold cards facing away — you see others' but not your own
• Clue types: color or number (point at ALL matching cards)
• Game end: all 5s played, 3 fuses lit, or deck empty + 1 round
• Over 1 million copies sold
• Won Spiel des Jahres 2013
• Typical game duration 20-30 minutes
• Suitable for ages 8 and up
• Designed by Antoine Bauza
• Published by Asmodee

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