Dixit: Rules, Instructions & Winning Strategies

Introduction

Dixit is a captivating and innovative card game that encourages creativity and imagination. It is a game that combines the elements of storytelling and interpretation, making it a unique and enjoyable experience for players of all ages. The game was designed by Jean-Louis Roubira and first published by Libellud in 2008. Since then, it has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Spiel des Jahres, the German Game of the Year, in 2010.

The game is played with a deck of cards, each featuring a unique and beautifully illustrated image. The goal of the game is to interpret the images on the cards and guess the storyteller’s card based on a clue given. The game requires a minimum of three players and can accommodate up to six players. The equipment needed to play Dixit includes the Dixit cards, score markers, and a scoring track.

Rules for playing Dixit

1. The game begins with each player drawing six cards from the deck.
2. One player is chosen as the storyteller for the round. The storyteller looks at their cards and comes up with a sentence or phrase that describes one of their cards. The clue can be anything – a word, a phrase, a song lyric, or even a sound.
3. The storyteller says their clue out loud, without revealing their card. All other players then select a card from their hand that best matches the clue.
4. The chosen cards are shuffled and revealed. Players then vote on which card they believe is the storyteller’s.
5. Points are awarded based on the votes. The storyteller gets points if at least one player, but not all players, guessed their card correctly. Other players get points if their card received votes or if they correctly identified the storyteller’s card.
6. The game continues with the next player becoming the storyteller. The game ends when the deck is empty or when a player reaches the end of the scoring track. The player with the most points wins.

While these are the official rules of Dixit, players can introduce ‘house rules’ to add variations to the game. For example, players can agree to use only movie titles or song lyrics as clues.

How to Win at Dixit

Winning at Dixit requires a balance of creativity, intuition, and strategy. Here are some tips to help you win the game:

1. Be vague, but not too vague: As the storyteller, your clue should be vague enough that not everyone can guess your card, but not so vague that no one can guess it. If everyone or no one guesses your card, you won’t get any points.
2. Know your audience: The game is as much about understanding the other players as it is about interpreting the cards. Pay attention to the clues given by other players and how they vote. This can give you insights into their thought processes and help you make better guesses and give better clues.
3. Use your cards wisely: Don’t waste your best cards early in the game. Save them for when you are the storyteller and can use them to give a good clue.
4. Don’t forget about the other players’ cards: When you are the storyteller, remember that the other players will be trying to match their cards to your clue. Try to give a clue that can’t be easily matched by the other cards in play.

Best Strategies for playing Dixit game

Here are some strategies to consider when playing Dixit:

1. Think outside the box: The more creative and original your clues are, the harder it will be for other players to guess your card. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and come up with unusual or unexpected clues.
2. Play to your strengths: If you are good at storytelling, use that to your advantage. If you are better at interpreting images, focus on guessing the storyteller’s card correctly.
3. Keep track of the cards: Try to remember the cards that have been played. This can help you make better guesses and give better clues in later rounds.
4. Don’t underestimate the power of bluffing: Sometimes, the best strategy is to mislead the other players. If you can convince them to vote for your card instead of the storyteller’s, you can score extra points.

Scenarios for Dixit

Playing Dixit can lead to a variety of scenarios, both good and bad. Here are some common scenarios and how to handle them:

1. You are the storyteller and no one guesses your card: This can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. Try to learn from it and adjust your clues in the future. Maybe your clue was too vague or too obscure. Remember, the goal is to be understood by at least one player, but not all.
2. You are the storyteller and everyone guesses your card: This means your clue was too obvious. Try to be more subtle next time. Remember, if everyone guesses your card, you won’t get any points.
3. You are a player and you have no idea what the storyteller’s clue means: This can be challenging, but don’t give up. Try to think creatively and interpret the clue in different ways. Even if you don’t guess the storyteller’s card, you can still score points if other players vote for your card.
4. You are a player and you keep guessing the wrong card: This can be discouraging, but don’t lose hope. Try to understand the way the storyteller thinks and adjust your guesses accordingly. Remember, the game is as much about understanding the other players as it is about interpreting the cards.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Dixit game

What happens if two players give the same clue? In the rare case that two players give the same clue, the second player must give a new clue.

Can I give a clue that is a direct reference to the image on my card? Yes, but remember that if your clue is too obvious, everyone might guess your card and you won’t get any points.

Can I give a clue in a foreign language? Yes, as long as all players understand that language.

What happens if I run out of cards? If you run out of cards, draw a new hand of six cards from the deck.

Can I play Dixit with more than six