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How to play Splendor (2026): Splendor is a gem-trading game for two to four players. You collect gem tokens, use them to buy development cards, and each card you own gives a permanent discount on future cards. Build up enough bonuses and nobles visit you for extra points. The first to reach 15 prestige points triggers the end of the game. This guide follows the publisher's current rulebook and covers setup by player count, the four actions, nobles, the token limit and the end of the game.
The game you need: Splendor (base game)
The box includes 40 tokens (seven each of emerald, sapphire, ruby, diamond and onyx, plus five gold jokers), 90 development cards in three levels and 10 noble tiles.
Price band: $30+ (about $32) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Splendor setup
- Shuffle each level of development cards separately and stack them in a column: level 1 at the bottom, level 3 at the top.
- Reveal four cards from each level beside its deck, making a grid of 12 cards.
- Shuffle the noble tiles and reveal one more than the number of players.
- Place the gem tokens in six piles by color within reach of everyone.
| Players | Nobles | Gems per color | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
The youngest player goes first, and play continues clockwise. A full game usually takes about 30 minutes once everyone knows the rules.
The four Splendor actions
On your turn, take exactly one of these actions:
- Take three gems of different colors. Gold tokens cannot be taken this way.
- Take two gems of the same color. Only allowed if that pile holds at least four tokens before you take them.
- Reserve one card and take one gold. Take a face-up card, or the top card of any deck, into your hand. You may hold no more than three reserved cards. If no gold is left, you can still reserve.
- Buy a card. Pay for one face-up card or one card from your hand. Spent gems go back to the supply; gold works as any color.
When you take a face-up card, replace it right away from the matching deck.
How card bonuses work
Every development card shows a gem bonus in its corner. Each bonus reduces the cost of future cards by one gem of that color. If you own two sapphire bonuses and a card costs three sapphires, you pay just one. Own enough bonuses and some cards become free. Many cards also show prestige points in the top left. Level 1 cards are cheap and mostly give bonuses; level 3 cards are expensive and give big points.
Nobles
Each noble tile shows a set of bonuses, such as three emerald, three sapphire and three diamond cards. At the end of your turn, if your cards match a noble's requirement, that noble visits you automatically and you take the tile for 3 prestige points. You cannot refuse a noble, and you can receive only one noble per turn, even if you qualify for more. Nobles care about card bonuses, not tokens.
The 10-token limit
At the end of your turn you may not hold more than 10 tokens, gold included. If you have more, return tokens of your choice until you are down to 10. This keeps players from hoarding and forces you to spend.
End of the game and winning
When a player reaches 15 prestige points, finish the current round so that everyone has had the same number of turns. Then the player with the most prestige points wins. If players are tied, the one who bought the fewest development cards wins.
Splendor strategy tips
- Start cheap. Early level 1 cards build the discounts that make level 2 and 3 cards affordable.
- Pick two or three colors. Focusing your bonuses makes expensive cards cheaper faster.
- Watch the nobles. Aim your bonuses at nobles that match your colors, and note when a rival is one card away.
- Reserve to block. Reserving a card a rival needs can be worth more than taking gems.
- Count to 15. Plan your last two or three turns so you finish strong in the final round.
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Splendor rules questions
Can you take two gems of the same color in Splendor?
Yes, but only if that pile has at least four tokens before you take them.
How many cards can you reserve in Splendor?
Up to three at a time. Reserving also gives you one gold token if any remain.
How many points do you need to win Splendor?
Reaching 15 prestige points triggers the end; finish the round, and the highest score wins. The base game plays two to four.
