Poison

Poison

Card Game
Players
3-6
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
5 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
30 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
2005

About the game

Poison is a quick, clever card game by Reiner Knizia (also known as Friday the 13th or Baker's Dozen) where 3-6 players try to avoid overflowing cauldrons of cards in the middle of the table. Players discard cards onto color-coded piles, and if a pile's total exceeds 13, that player must take the whole pile into their own collection. At round's end, majority suit-holders discard their cards for free while everyone else scores penalty points. It is a light, tense set-collection card game built for fast sessions.

Hobbli's Notes

Poison shows off Knizia's gift for turning simple push-your-luck math into genuinely tense decisions - every card played risks tipping a pile over into your own hand. It's quick to teach and quick to play, making it a great filler or family option. The scoring twist, where majority holders escape penalty entirely, adds a nice layer of risk-reward tension. A reliable, portable pick for groups who enjoy clever card games.

What we like

  • Clever push-your-luck tension from a respected designer.
  • Quick to teach and quick to play.
  • Portable, filler-friendly format works well for travel.
  • Rewarding risk-reward scoring twist for majority suit holders.

Keep in mind

  • Light strategic depth may not satisfy heavier gamers.
  • Can feel repetitive over many consecutive rounds.

Who it's for

Great for families and casual gamers (ages 8+) who enjoy light, tense card games, in groups of 3-6.

Mechanics

Hand ManagementSolo / Solitaire Game

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