The Great Split

The Great Split

Card Game
Players
2-7
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
5 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
45 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
8+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
2.1 / 5
Year
2022

About the game

The Great Split is a drafting card game where players split their hand of riches -- gems, gold, artwork, and tomes -- into two piles each round before passing their 'wallet' to a neighbor, who can only return one pile. While you're deciding how to split your own cards, a neighbor on the other side is making the same offer to you, creating constant tension between generosity and self-interest. Once hands are set, players play their cards to build the most prestigious collection, with each type of riches scoring differently based on how everyone else builds their own collections. Mid-game scorings and evolving art market values keep every round's split decisions meaningful.

Hobbli's Notes

The Great Split has a clever negotiation-adjacent twist on card drafting -- deciding how to split your cards so your neighbor takes the pile you want them to take is a genuinely fun social puzzle. It scales impressively across a wide player range (2-7), which is unusual for a game this interactive. A great pick for groups who enjoy light-to-medium card games with a strong element of reading other players.

What we like

  • Clever split-and-pass mechanic creates constant social tension.
  • Scales unusually well from two to seven players.
  • Multiple scoring paths across different riches types add strategic variety.
  • Quick 45-minute playtime keeps games moving.

Keep in mind

  • Success depends heavily on reading and predicting other players' choices.
  • Newer, less established title with a smaller player community.

Who it's for

Great for groups of 2-7 who enjoy drafting and light social deduction-adjacent card games; suitable for ages 8 and up.

Mechanics

DraftingNeighbor ScopeScore-and-Reset GameSimultaneous Action SelectionTech Trees / Tech TracksVariable Set-up

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