How to Play Dixit
Welcome — Dixit is a gentle, creative party game that rewards imagination and clever clues. If you want a friendly walkthrough for family play or hobby nights, start here and check out Playmore for more guides.
Quick facts
| Game | Type | Players | Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixit | Storytelling and image-association game | 3–8 | Use the components included with the game |
What you are trying to do
The main goal is to earn points by giving clues and by guessing other players’ cards. Each round one player is the storyteller and creates a clue for one of their illustrated cards. Other players try to match that clue with a card from their hand. You score when your clue is clear but not too obvious, and when you correctly identify the storyteller’s card.
What you need and how to set up
Use the components included with the game. Typical pieces are a deck of richly illustrated cards, player voting tokens, a scoring track or board, and a storyteller marker. This is not a normal 52-card playing deck; it uses the game’s picture cards.
To set up: give each player a hand of picture cards (the exact number depends on your edition), place the scoring track where everyone can reach it, and put voting tokens in front of each player. Choose any player to start as the storyteller. Groups should check the official rules for the precise setup and card counts used in your version.
How to play
- The storyteller looks at the cards in their hand and chooses one. They think of a clue — this can be a word, a short sentence, a sound, or anything allowed by your group. The clue should relate to the picture but not be too obvious.
- The storyteller announces the clue aloud and places their chosen card face down.
- Each other player selects one card from their hand that best matches the clue and places it face down. These are the substitute cards.
- Shuffle all the chosen cards together (including the storyteller’s) and reveal them face up in a row. Number or arrange them so players can point to a specific card.
- All non-storyteller players secretly vote for the card they think is the storyteller’s. Use your voting tokens to mark your choice.
- Reveal the votes and resolve scoring according to the rules your group uses. (Exact points and special cases can differ by edition, so check the official rules for your copy.)
- Pass the storyteller role to the next player and repeat.
How a round or game ends
A round ends after votes are revealed and points are allocated. The overall game usually ends when a player reaches the final space on the scoring track or after a set number of rounds agreed at the start. Exact scoring totals and end conditions vary by edition and house rules, so check the official rules for the exact win condition for your copy.
Beginner tips
- As storyteller, avoid clues that are too specific or too vague. Aim for something only some players will match.
- Pay attention to how your group thinks. If friends are literal, a concrete clue helps; if they’re poetic, try something more abstract.
- Use non-verbal clues only if your group allows them. Agree on limits before starting so everyone is comfortable.
- Keep hand management in mind: choosing varied images makes it easier to respond to future clues.
- If playing with very young players, allow looser interpretation and cooperative scoring so everyone stays involved.
FAQ
Can I use any kind of clue?
Yes, clues can be words, short phrases, songs, or sounds if your group agrees. Some groups ban gestures or proper names. Agree on what’s allowed before you start.
What happens if everyone picks the storyteller’s card or nobody does?
Most versions have a special scoring rule for that case because it means the clue was too obvious or too obscure. Exact scoring is version-dependent, so check your game’s official rules for the precise outcome.
Is Dixit good for kids and parties?
Yes. The game scales well: younger kids can play more openly, while adults can play with subtle or literary clues. It’s great for family nights and casual parties.