Ohanami

Ohanami

Card GameNumber
Players
2-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
3 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
20 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
8+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
1.2 / 5
Year
2019

About the game

Ohanami is a drafting and set-collection card game for two to four players using a deck numbered 1 through 120, where players build personal rows of ascending or descending cards across three scoring rounds. Each round, players choose two cards from their hand to keep and pass the rest, aiming to collect valuable blue, green, and gray cards while chasing pyramidal bonus points from pink cherry blossom cards. The direction cards get passed alternates by round, adding a shifting drafting rhythm. Careful row planning across all three rounds determines who ends with the highest score.

Hobbli's Notes

Ohanami takes a deceptively simple drafting-and-sequencing idea and layers just enough scoring complexity to keep it interesting across three full rounds. Steffen Benndorf's numbers-and-symbols design sensibility, also seen in Qwixx, shows through in its clean, elegant structure. It's a satisfying light-to-mid card game for players who enjoy careful set-collection puzzles.

What we like

  • Elegant drafting mechanism creates meaningful decisions each round.
  • Multiple scoring categories reward different collection strategies.
  • Alternating pass direction keeps the drafting rhythm fresh.
  • Short playtime fits well into a lighter game night.

Keep in mind

  • Scoring across three rounds and card types adds bookkeeping.
  • Limited player interaction beyond card passing.
  • Number-based cards may feel abstract compared to more thematic games.

Who it's for

Good for casual to mid-weight gamers ages 8+, in groups of 2-4 who enjoy drafting and set-collection card games.

Mechanics

DraftingOrderingSet Collection

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