Love Letter
Also known as: Love Letter card game
16 cards, brutal deduction. Draw one, play one, read your opponent. Games take 5 minutes.
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What You'll Need
About This Game
A 16-card microgame of deduction and bluffing. Each turn you hold one card and draw another, then play one. Cards have powers: peek at hands, compare values, swap cards, or eliminate opponents. Last player standing or highest card when the deck runs out wins.
How to Play
**Setup:** 16 cards total (Princess 8, Countess 7, King 6, Prince 5×2, Handmaid 4×2, Baron 3×2, Priest 2×2, Guard 1×5). Remove 1 card face-down (unknown). Deal 1 card to each player.
**Gameplay:** Draw a card so you hold 2, then play one face-up and resolve its effect:
- **Guard (1):** Name a non-Guard card. If opponent has it, they're eliminated
- **Priest (2):** Look at opponent's hand
- **Baron (3):** Secretly compare hands. Lower value is eliminated
- **Handmaid (4):** You're protected until your next turn
- **Prince (5):** Force a player (can be yourself) to discard and draw a new card
- **King (6):** Trade hands with opponent
- **Countess (7):** Must be played if you also hold King or Prince
- **Princess (8):** If you play or discard this, you're eliminated
**Winning a round:** Last player standing, or highest card when the deck empties. Win tokens equal to the player count to win the game.
History & Background
Seiji Kanai designed Love Letter in 2012 in Japan. Kanai wanted a game that could be played with the fewest possible components while still being deep. The original 16-card design was a breakthrough in microgame design. Alderac Entertainment Group published the English version and it won the 2014 Golden Geek Award for Best Card Game. It has been rethemed dozens of times (Batman, Adventure Time, Lovecraft).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Love Letter with 2 players?
Yes, Love Letter works great with 2 players. The game is well-suited to a duo and you'll have a fantastic time together.
What changes when playing Love Letter with 2 players?
With 2 players, Love Letter plays smoothly — the main difference is a more direct, head-to-head dynamic. You'll interact more closely with your opponent, which can make each round feel more personal and strategic.
How long does Love Letter take to play?
A typical game of Love Letter takes about 5-10 min. This can vary based on players' experience level and how quickly decisions are made.
What do you need to play Love Letter?
To play Love Letter, you need: Love Letter card game. That's it — no special equipment required.
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