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== Introduction ==
== Overview ==
Hanabi is a cooperative game. Your goal, as a team, is to build a fabulous fireworks show. You do this by playing the cards in the correct order. However, you cannot see your own cards; you can only see the cards of your team mates.


'''Final Score Ratings'''
* Hanabi is a cooperative game. Your goal, as a team, is to build a fabulous fireworks show.
* You have to put together fireworks by playing each individual colour ''(red, yellow, green, blue and white)'' in series (1 ⇨ 2 ⇨ 3 ⇨ 4 ⇨ 5).
* Each colour in the deck has {{card|1}}{{card|1}}{{card|1}}, {{card|2}}{{card|2}}, {{card|3}}{{card|3}}, {{card|4}}{{card|4}}, {{card|5}}.
* You cannot see your own cards; you can only see the cards of your teammates.
* You can only communicate with your teammates via '''clues''', '''playing''' and '''discarding''' cards (see below).
* No other communication is allowed.


{| class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|-
|+Final Score Ratings
!Points
!Points
!Overall impression
!Overall impression
|-
|-
|5 or less
|0-5
|horrible, booed by the crowd...
|horrible, booed by the crowd...
|-
|-
|6-10
|6-10
|mediocre, just a spattering of applause.
|mediocre, just a spattering of applause.
|-
|-
|11-15
|11-15
|honourable, but will not be remembered for very long...
|honourable, but will not be remembered for very long...
|-
|-
|16-20
|16-20
|excellent, crowd pleasing.
|excellent, crowd pleasing.
|-
|-
|21-24
|21-24
|amazing, will be remembered for a very long time!
|amazing, will be remembered for a very long time!
|-
|-
|25
|25-29
|legendary, everyone left speechless, stars in their eyes
|legendary, everyone left speechless, stars in their eyes!
|}
|-
|30
|Divine, the display outshines the stars!
|}Note: '''25''' is the maximum score with '''Normal: 5 colors'''.


== Card distribution ==
== Setup ==
In a game of Hanabi on NORMAL DIFFICULTY, the deck contains 50 cards. Each has exactly one colour: either Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, or White.


There are 10 cards in each colour:
<div style="display:flex;gap:2rem;align-items:center;">
* three 1s
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
* two 2s
|+Deal
* two 3s
!# Players
* two 4s
!2-3
* one 5
!4-5
|-
!# Cards
|5
|4
|}
{{Hclue|8}} clue tokens
</div>


===Multicolour cards===
== Game play ==
There are three variants that add a 6th colour: the multicolour.


# TRICKY DIFFICULTY adds 10 multicolour cards to the normal game. These cards get marked by a separate multicolour clue.
Players take turns to either:
# HARD DIFFICULTY adds '''5''' multicolour cards to the normal game: one of each number. These cards get marked by a separate multicolour clue.
# VERY DIFFICULT DIFFICULTY adds 10 multicolour cards to the normal game. These cards get marked by ANY colour clue.


== Gameplay ==
* Give a '''clue'''
You each take turns. During a turn, a player may take one (1) of three actions. After your action, the turn ends and it is the next player's turn.  
* '''Play''' a card, or
* '''Discard''' a card
 
=== Clue ===
 
Possible with at least {{Hclue|1|size=1.5}} available:
* '''All''' cards of a colour, or
* '''All''' cards of a number, or
* '''No''' cards of a colour, ''e.g. "'''Player1''' to '''Player2''': you have no red card"'' or
* '''No''' cards of a number ''e.g. "'''Player1''' to '''Player2''': you have no 5"''
 
# The active player selects a card in another player's hand.
# The active player selects a clue option.
# {{Hclue|1|size=1.5}} is moved from 'available' to 'used'.
 
=== Play ===
 
# The active player selects a card in their hand.
# The active player selects the 'Play selected card' button.
#* If the played card fits in any of the sequences, it is placed in the appropriate colour stack on the table.
#* If the played card does not fit, it is placed in the discard pile and the team gets a ''misfire'' token.
# A replacement card is drawn.
 
=== Discard ===
 
Possible with fewer than {{Hclue|8|size=1.5}} available:
# The active player selects a card in their hand.
# The active player selects the 'Discard selected card' button.
# The discarded card is placed in the discard pile.
# {{Hclue|1|size=1.5}} is moved from 'used' to 'available'.
# A replacement card is drawn.
 
== Game end ==


The game can end in several ways:
The game can end in several ways:
* All cards have been drawn from the deck. After this happens, each player has one more turn. The game ends with the score after the last turn.
* Your team played all possible cards. In this case, the game ends immediately.
* Your team made three mistakes that caused misfires. In this case, all players lose the game and receive -10 ELO points.
* Your team concedes the game. All players receive -10 ELO points.
* A player quits the game. Only the player that quit first receives -10 ELO points. All other players' ELO is unchanged.
== Conventions ==
* There are not enough {{Hclue|size=1}} to clue both colour and number of every played card, so the team must agree on a set of clue, play and discard interpretations, known as a convention.
* Many players use different conventions and if teammates have very different clue interpretations, the game becomes unsuccessful.
* Read about some of the most common conventions in '''[https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26863 this forum post]''' by [https://boardgamearena.com/player?id=84207926 Romain672].
''Note: the BGA list of conventions does not cover all conventions, so please respect the convention the table creator wants to play. This is why there is an option to display the convention for the table.''
=== Finesse ===
Players assume:
* Every marked card will be playable at some point.
* The oldest, unmarked (chop) card is safe to discard.
* Cards known to be trash are discarded in priority ''e.g. cards marked blue when the blue stack is completed.''
* Play clues may also include the '''newest, unmarked''' cards in every hand.
[Please review my major change to Conventions in Discussion.]
==== Save clue ====
* A (number) clue that marks a (unique) chop card¹.
* Focus is the chop card.
¹''Exception: 2 player game with 2+ consecutive saves.''
==== Play clue ====
* A clue that does not mark a (unique) chop card¹.
* Focus is the newest card.
Priority:
# Lead to plays in other hands.
# Lower rank.
==== Fix clue ====
* A follow-up clue on the same hand as an initial play clue.
* Required to change the focus (and prevent a misfire).
==== Bad clue ====
* Tell a lie ''e.g. a clue that marks {{Hr|2}} as playable without the required {{Hr|1}}.''
* Mark unknown trash or duplicate cards ''e.g. mark '''4'''s in another hand when your hand could have a copy of that '''4'''.''
==== Marked card discard ====
If a non-trash marked card is discarded it means:
* A copy of that card is already marked in someone else's hand (''sarcastic discard''); or
* A copy of that card must be marked in a future save clue (use with caution); or
* An unmarked copy of that card is playable (''gentleman's discard'')
==== Examples ====
{{infoBoxes3 |maxWidth=650 |state=collapsed
|title1=Save clue
|body1=
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw}} Discarded: {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3}}{{Hw|5}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|4}}{{Hy|3}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hw|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Bob: this card is a 5.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw}} Discarded: {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|4}}{{Hy|3}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hw|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Bob knows that there is only one 5 of each colour in the deck, so all 5s need to be marked to keep them from being discarded.
* Bob sees Cathy's oldest card is {{Hw|2}} and checks the discard pile to see if he needs to save it from being discarded. There is already a {{Hw|2}} in the discard pile and Bob knows there are only two 2s of each colour, so Cathy has the last remaining {{Hw|2}} and Bob must save it.
* Bob to Cathy: this card is a 2.
: Good job Bob.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw}} Discarded: {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|4}}{{Hy|3}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hw|2|n=}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy looks at the played cards to see if 2s are all playable. The {{Hw|1}} has not been played yet, so she cannot be sure it is playable yet.
* Next Cathy looks at the discard pile to see if there is a 2 in the discard pile.
* There is a {{Hw|2}} discarded, so she interprets this number clue marking her oldest card as a save clue to prevent her from discarding it.
: Nice one Cathy.
|title2=Play clue
|body2=
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|4}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|4}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hr|3}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are red.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|4}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2|c=}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3|c=}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|4}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hr|3}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Bob now knows his newest card is the next playable in the sequence ({{Hr|2}}), and the other marked card is {{Hr|3}}, {{Hr|4}} or {{Hr|5}} (because every marked card will be playable at some point).
|title3=Fix clue
|body3=
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|5}} {{Hb|5}} {{Hw|5}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|4}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|3}}{{Hw|3}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy's {{Hr|3}} must play next.
* The focus of a 3 clue on its own will be {{Hw|3}} and the focus of a red  clue will be {{Hr|5}}.
* Alice to Cathy: these 2 cards are red.
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|5}} {{Hb|5}} {{Hw|5}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|4}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|5|c=}}{{Hr|3|c=}}{{Hw|3}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Bob to Cathy: these 2 cards are 3s - this fix clue changes the focus from {{Hr|5}} to {{Hr|3}} (now visible).
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|5}} {{Hb|5}} {{Hw|5}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|4}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|5|c=}}{{Hr|3|n=|c=}}{{Hw|3|n=}} |Cathy 🡲}}
}}
{{infoBoxes3 |maxWidth=650 |state=collapsed
|title1=Prompt
|body1=
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|4}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|5}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3|c=}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|2}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hr|4}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Cathy: this card is red.
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|4}}
{{cardholder|{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} |Alice 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|5}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3|c=}}{{Hw|5|n=}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|2}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hr|4|c=}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy now knows her marked card is the next playable in the sequence ⇨ {{Hr|4}}, because {{Hr|3}} is already marked.
* Bob now knows his marked red card is {{Hr|3}} and he must play it now.
|title2=Finesse
|body2=
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hg|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Cathy: this card is blue.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2|c=}}{{Hg|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy now knows her marked card {{Hb|2}} is playable.
* Bob knows that Cathy will bomb her {{Hb|2}} as {{Hb|1}} unless a {{Hb|1}} is played first.
* Bob does not see the connecting {{Hb|1}}, so assumes he has to play it now.
* Bob does not have a marked card that could be {{Hb|1}}, so Bob '''blind plays his newest unmarked card'''.
* {{Hb|1}} successfully plays.
|title3=Reversed finesse
|body3=
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hg|2}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Bob: this card is blue.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2|c=}}{{Hg|2}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Bob now knows his marked {{Hb|2}} is playable.
* Bob sees the newest, unmarked card in Cathy's hand is of the same colour '''and''' playable now. Bob assumes it is a finesse with the players in reversed order and his blue card is {{Hb|2}}.
}}
{{infoBoxes |maxWidth=650 |state=collapsed
|title1=Bluff
|body1=
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hg|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Alice to Cathy: this card is blue.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hr|5}}{{Hb|3}}{{Hw|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|5}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hb|2|c=}}{{Hg|2}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy now knows her marked card {{Hb|2}} is playable.
* Bob does not see the connecting {{Hb|1}}, so assumes he has to play it now.
* Bob does not have a marked card that could be {{Hb|1}}, so Bob '''blind plays his newest unmarked card'''.
* {{Hw|1}} successfully plays and the bluff is revealed.
* Before Bob played, Cathy thought her marked card was {{Hb|1}}.
* After Bob plays, Cathy knows her marked card is another valuable blue card.
All conventions interpret Cathy's card as a valuable, not-yet-playable blue card.
Some interpretations are more stringent, also must be a ''1-away-from-playable'' {{Hb|2}}.
|title2=Long finesse
|body2=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Bob: this card is a 4.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hw|4|n=}}{{Hg|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hw|3}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}}{{Hy|1}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Bob has been given a play clue and does not see a playable card in any hand, so Bob blind plays his draw card.
* {{Hw|1}} successfully plays.
* Cathy sees that Bob has {{Hw|2}} in front of {{Hw|4}} but {{Hw|3}} is missing, so Cathy knows she must play {{Hw|3}} at the correct moment.
* Cathy discards, Alice discards and Bob blind plays his 2nd slot {{Hw|2}}.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|5}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hw|4|n=}}{{Hg|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hy|2}}{{Hw|3}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}} |Cathy 🡲}}
* Cathy blind plays her 2nd slot {{Hw|3}}.
* Alice discards and Bob plays the marked {{Hw|4}}.
}}
=== Layered Finesse ===
Players assume:
* BGA Finesse convention above.
* Finessed cards can be layered behind other unrelated, but playable cards.
==== Examples ====
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650 |state=collapsed
|title=Layered finesse
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are blue.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw|4}}
{{cardholder|{{Hb|2|c=}}{{Hb|5|c=}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hg|1}} |Bob 🡲}}
{{cardholder|{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|2}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}} |Cathy 🡲}}


#All cards have been drawn from the deck. After this happens, everybody gets 1 more turn. The game ends with the score at the last turn.
* Bob sees a playable {{Hb|1}} in Cathy's hand, layered behind other playable cards {{Hr|2}} and {{Hy|2}}.
#Your team played all possible cards. In this case, the game ends immediately and you receive the maximum possible score.  
* Bob discards and Cathy blind plays for {{Hb|1}}. {{Hr|2}} successfully plays.
#Your team made three mistakes that caused misfires. In this case, you lose the game and get negative ten (-10) points.  
* Cathy knows this cannot be a bluff because Bob would not discard unless he sees a playable {{Hb|1}} in Cathy's hand.
#Your team 'abandons' the game. Although discouraged, you receive zero (0) points.
* So Cathy knows she is promised {{Hb|1}} and keeps playing each slot from left to right until her {{Hb|1}} is played.
}}


== Turn ==
=== Definitions ===
During your turn, you have one (1) action. You can choose to do one of the following:


#'''Give a colour or number clue to a teammate:'''  This costs one clue-token (-1). You cannot give a clue if there are zero (0) clue-tokens left. When you give a clue, you must indicate ALL cards of a certain colour, or ALL cards of a certain number.
<div style="columns:20rem auto;column-gap:2rem;">
#'''Play a card:'''  When a card is played, it is evaluated.  If the card fits in one of sequences, it is placed in the appropriate colour stack on the table. If it does not, it is placed in the discard pile and the team gets a misfire-token.
==== {{text|Basic|c={{r}}|w=700|f=cursive|s=1.05}} ====
#'''Discard a card:'''  When you discard, the card is placed in the discard pile and you get a clue-token (+1). Note: cards on the discard pile are out of the game and can never return.


When you remove a card from your hand, by either playing or discarding, at the end of your turn, you draw a new card.
'''Convention''': Agreed set of clue, play and discard interpretations. ''e.g. a number clue that marks the chop card should be interpreted as a unique card save (if there is a unique card of that number).''


== Options ==
'''Strategy''': Plan to achieve the highest score. ''e.g. to mark first copies of cards.''
 
'''Marked''': A card touched by a clue.
 
'''Focus''': The target card of a clue.
 
'''Play clue''': Clue that marks a focused card to play.
 
'''Playable''': A card that can be marked by a play clue.
 
'''Trash''': A card that can never be played successfully.
 
'''Bomb''': A play that causes a misfire.
 
'''Draw''': The newest card in a hand.
 
'''Chop''': The oldest, unmarked card in a hand.
 
'''Unique''': The last remaining card of its rank and colour (that can be played successfully at some point).
 
'''Save''': A (number) clue that marks a chop card to prevent discard.
 
'''Prompt''': A play clue that causes connecting marked card(s) to play.


=== Black Powder ===
==== {{text|Intermediate|c={{g}}|w=700|f=cursive|s=1.05}} ====


* You may not give clues regarding the colour black.
'''Good Touch Principle''': All marked cards will eventually be played.
* Black cards must be played in reverse order, from 5 to 1.
* In the deck there are 3 black fives, 2 black fours, 2 black threes, 2 black twos, and 1 black one.


=== Five Flamboyants ===
'''Splash''': Additional new colour or rank information of cards that are not the focus.


After playing the last card of a colour, randomly select one of the following bonuses for immediate use:
'''Locked''': A hand with all cards marked without any plays.


* Gain a clue token.
'''Reclue''': A repeated clue that causes marked card(s) to play.
* Gain a clue token and recover a life.
* Give a clue regarding a colour.
* Give a clue regarding a number.
* Shuffle a discarded card into the deck.
* Play a discarded card, if possible.


== Lingo ==
'''Fix clue''': Follow-up clue required to change the focus of a play clue (and prevent a misfire).
When you play with others, certain words are used to describe certain objects or situations. Here is a short list.


*'''MARKED''': A card that is highlighted by a clue.
'''Discard clue''': Clue that marks trash card(s) to be discarded (to prevent a misfire or unwanted discard).
*'''UNMARKED''': A card that is not clued.
*'''CHOP''': The oldest, unmarked card. The card that you have no information on and will chop from your hand.
*'''DRAW''': The newest, unmarked card. The card that you have no information on and was freshly drawn.
*'''TO BOMB''': A play that causes the third misfire-token. Sometimes called '''EXPLOSION'''
*'''UNIQUE''': A card that has no copy (left) in the deck.
*'''DOUBLE DISCARD''': Discarding the (usually CHOP) card when it can be Unique (or the last copy of the card in the discard pile).
*'''DOUBLE SAVE''': To mark a card that is useless, because the copy of the card is already played, or marked.
*'''STRATEGY''': A set of rules / guidelines / conventions on how to interpret actions by players (including spending of clue-tokens).


== ELO rating ==
'''Stall clue''': A clue given to avoid discarding.
If you are playing with ELO rating on, your ELO may be changed at the end of the game.


Here is how it works:
'''Finesse''': A play clue that causes connecting unmarked card(s) to play.


#Every player on the team is temporarily considered as having the average ELO rating of the team.
'''Bluff''': A play clue that causes a non-connecting unmarked card to play.
#The system will generate a bot associated with the score your team has achieved (let’s call it '''Hanabot'''). Hanabot’s ELO rating depends on the variant you are playing (50 cards, 60 cards, 60 cards multicolor), the number of players on the team and, most importantly, your team's score. All Hanabot’s ELO ratings have been set by an experienced player, they are not random or simply proportional to the score/number of players.
#Your team (actually your team's average ELO) will now compete against Hanabot. The system will calculate your team’s ELO gain/loss as though your team had tied with Hanabot.


If your score is below 18 (50-card game) or below 21 (60-card game), Hanabot's ELO is always 1000.
'''Bluff seat''': The player directly before the player who is bluffed.¹


'''Bottom-decked''': When the remaining copy of a playable card is too near the bottom of the deck to achieve a perfect score.


<code>
'''Early save''': A save clue with a known playable card in the same hand, or does not mark the chop card¹. ''i.e. a play clue.''
You can find all bots' ELO ratings here: http://forum.boardgamearena.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4814


The 55-card variant (50 cards + 1 of each value in the sixth color) cannot be played with ELO rating on. This is because this variant is highly dependent on draw and a team’s score may not always reflect the players’ skills.
'''Double save''': Two consecutive saves in the same hand.


If you achieve the perfect score and this should cost you ELO points, you will be considered as having beaten the bot associated with the score, so that you lose no ELO points.
'''Double discard''': Two consecutive players discard copies of the same chop card, resulting in a unique discard. ''A special problem, since, to each of the consecutive players, a number clue that marks their chop card does not look like a save clue (and therefore looks like a play clue).''
</code><br>
To be confirmed: I think the ELO-system has had an overhaul.


== About "cheating" ==
'''Sarcastic discard''': Discard of a duplicate marked copy of a card in another hand.
In the "real life Hanabi", you can talk. That's why we chose to let the chat open for the online version.


As a consequence, it is very easy to cheat at Hanabi. However, as you can imagine, cheating is very stupid and has no interest... except for ELO boosting. This is why there is no international ranking for this game (ie: best player, second best player) and no trophies associated to it.
'''Skip''' / '''steal''': When a player gives a clue that could have been given by one of the skipped players.


==CONVENTIONS==
'''Scream discard''': An unexpected discard to save a unique card in another hand.
If people just play in a very basic way, meaning that they wait until they have received the colour and number to play each card, it is generally difficult to achieve a high score.
Common sense, observation and combination of given information allow to visualize which card(s) should be played according to a single clue (thus saving precious clue-tokens and speeding up the game in order to reach a better score).
However, many players have elaborated conventions in order to codify the sequence of actions and thus simplify the thinking process.


In the following section, colours are indicated by their first letter: R - Red, Y - Yellow, G - Green, B - Blue, W - White. For example, 2Y means the card with number 2 and colour yellow.
==== {{text|Advanced|c={{m}}|w=700|f=cursive|s=1.05}} ====


===Most standard convention===
'''Long finesse''': A finesse of three or more cards lasting more than one complete round.
In 4 words : ''Play left, discard right''.


- When a clue designates several cards, it is generally the card furthest to the left that must be played.
'''Layered finesse''': A finesse with unrelated playable card(s) in front of the target card(s).


Indeed, the new cards arriving from the left, a playable card already in hand would have been indicated earlier whereas it is more likely that one wants to play the freshly drawn.
'''Scream play''': An unexpected chop play to save a unique card in another hand.
For example, if a player's hand is (1R, 4Y, 5B, 2Y, 2G), it is necessary and enough to give the clue 2 to make him play his 2Y.


In complicated situations where the card to be indicated is neither the leftmost of its color nor the leftmost of its number, two players must complement each other by giving one of the elements each, although this rarely happens.
'''Clued misplay''': A play clue that causes a misfire to prevent a unique discard in the same hand.
For example, if a player's hand is (1R, 4Y, 5B, 2G, 2Y), it is necessary to give him both the clue ''Yellow'' and the clue ''2'' to make him play his 2Y.


- When a player, having no clue to give nor a card to play, is about to discard, he must discard his card furthest to the right among those without a clue. (the ''chop'').
'''Positional misplay''': An unexpected play that marks the same slot position in another hand to play immediately.


Indeed, the new cards arrive from the left, the cards on the right are older, and therefore less likely to be used since the other players have had more time to say that they should be played if necessary.
'''Gentleman's discard''': Discard of a playable card to play an unmarked copy in another hand.


This allows other players to anticipate which cards are about to be discarded and therefore protect them if necessary. So for example, when a 5 (card present in a single copy and therefore particularly valuable) arrives in a player's discard position, the others know that it risks being discarded and therefore give the clue ''5'' to be preserved ('' saving clue ''). It should be understood from the position of the card that it is thus to be preserved and not to be played, paying attention to the cards already discarded (last copy).
'''Play refusal''': Instead of playing, a player clues or discards their '''chop'''.


In complicated situations where all of our cards have a clue and therefore theoretically no card should be discarded (since cards with clue should not be discarded) and where it is impossible to play, it is preferable to give a clue, even if it is not very relevant.
'''Hesitation play''': After a play refusal of a playable card, another player may be able to blind play an unmarked card.


Obviously, if a player has a card that he is sure he will never be able to play (for example a card on which he has a blue hint when the blue pile has already been completed), such card must be discarded in priority.
'''Generation discard''': An unexpected discard to gain {{Hclue|1}}.


===Advanced conventions===
</div>¹bluff seat is an [https://hanabi.github.io/level-11/#the-bluff-seat H-Group concept]. Note that this concept is unhelpful for understanding how bluffs work since outside of H-Group, it is possible to bluff any player given the right conditions.
The 3 most classical advanced conventions are: ''finesse'', ''bluff'' et ''reverse''.


====''Finesse''====
== Options ==
- An example is more telling than a long speech: suppose it is player 1's turn and no card has yet been played, nor any clue given:


1) ?  ?  ?  ?
=== Colors ===


2) 1B 5Y 3B 1W
==== Normal: 5 colors ====


3) 5R 2R 2B 2G
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|+50 cards
!Red (r)
|{{Hr|1}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hr|1}}
|{{Hr|2}}{{Hr|2}}
|{{Hr|3}}{{Hr|3}}
|{{Hr|4}}{{Hr|4}}
|{{Hr|5}}
|-
!Yellow (y)
|{{Hy|1}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hy|1}}
|{{Hy|2}}{{Hy|2}}
|{{Hy|3}}{{Hy|3}}
|{{Hy|4}}{{Hy|4}}
|{{Hy|5}}
|-
!Green (g)
|{{Hg|1}}{{Hg|1}}{{Hg|1}}
|{{Hg|2}}{{Hg|2}}
|{{Hg|3}}{{Hg|3}}
|{{Hg|4}}{{Hg|4}}
|{{Hg|5}}
|-
!Blue (b)
|{{Hb|1}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hb|1}}
|{{Hb|2}}{{Hb|2}}
|{{Hb|3}}{{Hb|3}}
|{{Hb|4}}{{Hb|4}}
|{{Hb|5}}
|-
!White (w)
|{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|1}}{{Hw|1}}
|{{Hw|2}}{{Hw|2}}
|{{Hw|3}}{{Hw|3}}
|{{Hw|4}}{{Hw|4}}
|{{Hw|5}}
|}


4) 4G 1Y 1R 3Y
==== Tricky: 6th color (10 cards) ====


If player 1 gives the blue clue to player 3, it clearly indicates his 2B, while the expected card is a 1B. This means that the card which fills the hole is somewhere upstream, in this case in the hand of player 2. The latter, seeing that indeed the 1B is missing, understands that it is a question of a "finesse" and plays his 1B according to the convention "play left, discard right".
* These cards are marked by a separate ''multicolour'' clue.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|++10 cards
!Multicolour (m)
|{{Hm|1}}{{Hm|1}}{{Hm|1}}
|{{Hm|2}}{{Hm|2}}
|{{Hm|3}}{{Hm|3}}
|{{Hm|4}}{{Hm|4}}
|{{Hm|5}}
|}


If the 1B had been in any other position in Player 2's hand, he would have needed a prior clue to know which one. Thus he would have played the card furthest to the left among his corresponding marked cards (in this case a 1 card or a blue card if the 1B and the 5Y had been reversed).
==== Difficult: 6th color (5 cards) ====


Player 3 then only has to play his 2B: two cards have been played thanks to a single clue.
* These cards are marked by a separate ''multicolour'' clue.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|++5 cards
!Multicolour (m)
|{{Hm|1}}
|{{Hm|2}}
|{{Hm|3}}
|{{Hm|4}}
|{{Hm|5}}
|}


- In situations like the following :
==== Avalanche of Colors: Multicolor (10 multicolor) ====


1) ?  ?  ?  ?
* These cards are marked by '''any colour clue'''.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|++10 cards
!Multicolour (m)
|{{Hm|1}}{{Hm|1}}{{Hm|1}}
|{{Hm|2}}{{Hm|2}}
|{{Hm|3}}{{Hm|3}}
|{{Hm|4}}{{Hm|4}}
|{{Hm|5}}
|}


2) 1B 5Y 3B 3W
=== Black Powder ===


3) 4G 1Y 1R 3Y
* Clues cannot be given for the colour black.
* Black cards must be played in '''reverse order''' 5 ⇨ 4 ⇨ 3 ⇨ 2 ⇨ 1.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|++10 cards
!Black Powder (p/k)
|{{Hk|5}}{{Hk|5}}{{Hk|5}}
|{{Hk|4}}{{Hk|4}}
|{{Hk|3}}{{Hk|3}}
|{{Hk|2}}{{Hk|2}}
|{{Hk|1}}
|}


4) 5R 2R 2B 2G
=== 5 flamboyants ===


where player 1 gives a clue ''blue'' to player 4, this can point to either player 2 and 3. To find out which one is designated, each looks at the other's cards. In this case, player 2 sees that finesse cannot be addressed to player 3 since he has a 4G card on the far left and not a 1B. Player 2 therefore plays his own card.
After playing the last card of a colour, randomly draw a bonus card and apply its effect:
# Gain {{Hclue|1|size=1.2}}
# Gain {{Hclue|1|size=1.2}} and recover a life.
# Give a colour clue.
# Give a number clue.
# Shuffle a discarded card into the deck ''(optional)''.
# Play a discarded card ''(optional)''.


==== '' Bluff '' ====
=== Convention used ===
'' Bluff '' looks like a '' finesse '', except that the player who plays his card is in a way "trapped": he does not play the card he expects from ' 'finesse'.


An example speaks louder than a long speech: suppose it's player 1's turn and no card has yet been played, nor any clue given:
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
!Name
!Summary
!References
|-
|'''Unspecified'''
|No convention, so don't assume any conventional moves!


1) ?  ?  ?  ?
Ask the table host if they will be following any convention.
|N/A
|-
|'''Finesse'''
|BGA convention with blind-plays
|Finesse convention above


2) 1W 5Y 3B 3W
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzgN6WoeYwh5NYtHECzUNZqFvpVcg-EdObU-YNMlyhc Hanabi "reference" for bga]
|-
|'''Layered finesse'''
|BGA Finesse convention with additional unrelated blind-plays
|Layered Finesse convention above


3) 5R 2R 2B 2G
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzgN6WoeYwh5NYtHECzUNZqFvpVcg-EdObU-YNMlyhc Hanabi "reference" for bga]


4) 4G 1Y 1R 3Y
[https://en.doc.boardgamearena.com/User:Sammy_McSam/Hanabi User:Sammy_McSam/Hanabi]
|-
|'''H-Group'''
|Comprehensive, level-based and chop-focused
|[https://hanabi.github.io H-Group]
|-
|'''Other'''
|Not listed above
|Other conventions below
|}


If player 1 gives the blue clue to player 3, it clearly indicates his 2B, while the expected card is a 1B. As before, player 2 then assumes that his leftmost card is a 1B. So he plays it. Surprise, it's a 1W! Player 3 then understands that it is a bluff and DOES NOT PLAY his blue card. However, he knows that it is a 2, and keeps it for later, when he can play it.
=== Preset deck ===


Unlike "finesse", to avoid any ambiguity, it is better to "bluff" only on the person who follows us immediately in the turn order.
Preset decks are useful for comparing teams/conventions using the same deck:
* No (cards are shuffled)
* Preset deck #1 of the day
* Preset deck #2 of the day
* Preset deck #3 of the day
* Preset deck #4 of the day
* Preset deck #5 of the day
Preset decks are changed at [https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=48600#p48600 0:00 (?)] UTC


==== '' Reverse '' ====
=== Unofficial variant ===
'' Reverse '' looks like '' finesse '', except that the player given the clue is located before the one with the card that fills the gap.


This convention is riskier because it is sometimes possible that the player to whom the hint is given does not realize that it is a '' reverse '' and plays his card.
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
|+Deal
!# Players
!2
!3
!4
!5
|-
!# Cards
|'''6'''
|5
|4
|'''3'''
|}


An example speaks louder than a long speech: suppose it's player 1's turn and no card has yet been played, nor any clue given:
== Other conventions ==


1) ?  ?  ?  ?
{|class="wikitable" style="width:auto;" border="2"
!Name
!Summary
!References
|-
|'''Logical Leftism'''
|No convention, just logic
|[http://hanabilogic.eklablog.com/basics-level-1-a117610126 hanabi logic]
|-
|'''Conventional Leftism'''
|Another name for Finesse
|[http://hanabilogic.eklablog.com/no-conventional-leftism-a117757604 hanabi logic]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sz3if8-9JJDAcbvdi3MHEAv9L5ljyHHnTSEACKk5RUY/edit#heading=h.q88fl7o62h8c Postmans]
|-
|'''Hat-guessing'''
|Clues relate to slot position, not the cards marked
|[https://github.com/hanabi/hanabi.github.io/blob/main/misc/hat-guessing.md H-Group]


2) 5R 2R 2B 2G
[https://github.com/fpvandoorn/hanabi/blob/master/doc_hat_player.md Robert Kaspar]


3) 1B 5Y 3B 3W
[https://github.com/hanabi/hanabi.github.io/blob/main/misc/empty-clues.md H-Group empty clues]
|-
|'''Closest Friend'''
|Clue interpretation depends on which player gave the clue
|[https://github.com/hanabi/hanabi.github.io/blob/main/pdf/newest-friend.pdf H-Group]
|-
|'''Secret convention'''
|Each player randomly selects a secret '''[https://perchance.org/e6dtm5lj3r restriction]'''
|[https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26863 Secret variant]


4) 4G 1Y 1R 3Y
[https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=71264#p71264 Secret hanabi restriction]
|}


If player 1 gives the blue clue to player 2, it clearly tells him his 2B, while the expected card is a 1B. He might think that it is indeed a 1B, but he sees a 1B in question in Player 3's hand and therefore plays something else (for example, he gives the clue to Player 4). Player 3, as before, seeing that the reverse cannot be addressed to player 4, plays his 1B. In the next turn, player 2 can play his 2B.
== Chat ==


==== '' Off discard '' ====
* It is against the rules of the game to share information that influences a player's move beyond the game actions of cluing, playing, or discarding.
It happens that in his turn a player no longer has a clue token and that a card must absolutely be played, it is then possible for him to discard another card than his card furthest to the right. This move tells the next player to play the card in the same position as the one that was discarded.
* Even a single question mark sent in chat can influence the decisions of all players. e.g. a missed finesse or some other unexpected move.
* This is why it is best to wait until the end of the game to discuss moves.


Example: it's player 1's turn, there are no more clue tokens, a 1B has already been played and a 2B card has already been discarded (in bold the clues known by the players):
== ELO rating ==


1) a? b? c? d? e?
'''[https://forum.boardgamearena.com/viewtopic.php?t=33785 Rating is visibly hidden around tables]''' with the 7 distinct ELO skill levels:
: {{Beginner}} {{Apprentice}} {{Average}} {{Good}} {{Strong}} {{Expert}} {{Master}}.


2) 4Y 5R 2R 2B 2'''G'''
# '''''Hanabot''''''s ELO is generated from:
#* Final score¹
#* Average team ELO
#* Colour option²
# ELO change is calculated as if tied with Hanabot.


3) 2G 1'''B''' 5Y 3'''B''' 3W
'''''[https://forum.boardgamearena.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4814 Hanabots' ELO ratings]''' were set by an experienced player - i.e. ratings are not random or simply proportional to score or players' ELO.''


Player 1 discards card d? instead of the e? card. This indicates to the player that he must play his card in the same position (therefore 2B), which avoids losing it and thus condemning the blue pile.
¹''Hanabot's ELO = 0 with scores < 18 (5 colours) and < 21 (6 colours).''


This movement is risky because the discarded card can be important or even blocking for the rest of the game. This movement should therefore only be used if there is no other solution.
²''+5 card multicolor option is unrated (too dependent on draw to reflect skill).''
It is up to the other players to make sure, before leaving a player without a clue token, that the card he could discard to give this clue is not essential for the rest of the game.

Latest revision as of 00:37, 22 October 2025

Overview

  • Hanabi is a cooperative game. Your goal, as a team, is to build a fabulous fireworks show.
  • You have to put together fireworks by playing each individual colour (red, yellow, green, blue and white) in series (1 ⇨ 2 ⇨ 3 ⇨ 4 ⇨ 5).
  • Each colour in the deck has 111, 22, 33, 44, 5.
  • You cannot see your own cards; you can only see the cards of your teammates.
  • You can only communicate with your teammates via clues, playing and discarding cards (see below).
  • No other communication is allowed.
Final Score Ratings
Points Overall impression
0-5 horrible, booed by the crowd...
6-10 mediocre, just a spattering of applause.
11-15 honourable, but will not be remembered for very long...
16-20 excellent, crowd pleasing.
21-24 amazing, will be remembered for a very long time!
25-29 legendary, everyone left speechless, stars in their eyes!
30 Divine, the display outshines the stars!

Note: 25 is the maximum score with Normal: 5 colors.

Setup

Deal
# Players 2-3 4-5
# Cards 5 4

8clue tokens clue tokens

Game play

Players take turns to either:

  • Give a clue
  • Play a card, or
  • Discard a card

Clue

Possible with at least 1clue tokens available:

  • All cards of a colour, or
  • All cards of a number, or
  • No cards of a colour, e.g. "Player1 to Player2: you have no red card" or
  • No cards of a number e.g. "Player1 to Player2: you have no 5"
  1. The active player selects a card in another player's hand.
  2. The active player selects a clue option.
  3. 1clue tokens is moved from 'available' to 'used'.

Play

  1. The active player selects a card in their hand.
  2. The active player selects the 'Play selected card' button.
    • If the played card fits in any of the sequences, it is placed in the appropriate colour stack on the table.
    • If the played card does not fit, it is placed in the discard pile and the team gets a misfire token.
  3. A replacement card is drawn.

Discard

Possible with fewer than 8clue tokens available:

  1. The active player selects a card in their hand.
  2. The active player selects the 'Discard selected card' button.
  3. The discarded card is placed in the discard pile.
  4. 1clue tokens is moved from 'used' to 'available'.
  5. A replacement card is drawn.

Game end

The game can end in several ways:

  • All cards have been drawn from the deck. After this happens, each player has one more turn. The game ends with the score after the last turn.
  • Your team played all possible cards. In this case, the game ends immediately.
  • Your team made three mistakes that caused misfires. In this case, all players lose the game and receive -10 ELO points.
  • Your team concedes the game. All players receive -10 ELO points.
  • A player quits the game. Only the player that quit first receives -10 ELO points. All other players' ELO is unchanged.

Conventions

  • There are not enough ​clue tokens to clue both colour and number of every played card, so the team must agree on a set of clue, play and discard interpretations, known as a convention.
  • Many players use different conventions and if teammates have very different clue interpretations, the game becomes unsuccessful.
  • Read about some of the most common conventions in this forum post by Romain672.

Note: the BGA list of conventions does not cover all conventions, so please respect the convention the table creator wants to play. This is why there is an option to display the convention for the table.

Finesse

Players assume:

  • Every marked card will be playable at some point.
  • The oldest, unmarked (chop) card is safe to discard.
  • Cards known to be trash are discarded in priority e.g. cards marked blue when the blue stack is completed.
  • Play clues may also include the newest, unmarked cards in every hand.

[Please review my major change to Conventions in Discussion.]

Save clue

  • A (number) clue that marks a (unique) chop card¹.
  • Focus is the chop card.

¹Exception: 2 player game with 2+ consecutive saves.

Play clue

  • A clue that does not mark a (unique) chop card¹.
  • Focus is the newest card.

Priority:

  1. Lead to plays in other hands.
  2. Lower rank.

Fix clue

  • A follow-up clue on the same hand as an initial play clue.
  • Required to change the focus (and prevent a misfire).

Bad clue

  • Tell a lie e.g. a clue that marks red2,with a red2clue, as playable without the required red1,with a red1clue,.
  • Mark unknown trash or duplicate cards e.g. mark 4s in another hand when your hand could have a copy of that 4.

Marked card discard

If a non-trash marked card is discarded it means:

  • A copy of that card is already marked in someone else's hand (sarcastic discard); or
  • A copy of that card must be marked in a future save clue (use with caution); or
  • An unmarked copy of that card is playable (gentleman's discard)

Examples

Save clue
red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue1,with a blue1clue, white,with a whiteclue, Discarded: white2,with a white2clue,

card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 red4,with a red4clue,yellow3,with a yellow3clue,red4,with a red4clue,white2,with a white2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Bob: this card is a 5.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue1,with a blue1clue, white,with a whiteclue, Discarded: white2,with a white2clue, card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 red4,with a red4clue,yellow3,with a yellow3clue,red4,with a red4clue,white2,with a white2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob knows that there is only one 5 of each colour in the deck, so all 5s need to be marked to keep them from being discarded.
  • Bob sees Cathy's oldest card is white2,with a white2clue, and checks the discard pile to see if he needs to save it from being discarded. There is already a white2,with a white2clue, in the discard pile and Bob knows there are only two 2s of each colour, so Cathy has the last remaining white2,with a white2clue, and Bob must save it.
  • Bob to Cathy: this card is a 2.
Good job Bob.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue1,with a blue1clue, white,with a whiteclue, Discarded: white2,with a white2clue, card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 red4,with a red4clue,yellow3,with a yellow3clue,red4,with a red4clue,white2,with a white2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy looks at the played cards to see if 2s are all playable. The white1,with a white1clue, has not been played yet, so she cannot be sure it is playable yet.
  • Next Cathy looks at the discard pile to see if there is a 2 in the discard pile.
  • There is a white2,with a white2clue, discarded, so she interprets this number clue marking her oldest card as a save clue to prevent her from discarding it.
Nice one Cathy.
Play clue
red1,with a red1clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue3,with a blue3clue, white4,with a white4clue,

card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 white4,with a white4clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,red4,with a red4clue,red3,with a red3clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are red.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue3,with a blue3clue, white4,with a white4clue, card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 white4,with a white4clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,red4,with a red4clue,red3,with a red3clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob now knows his newest card is the next playable in the sequence (red2,with a red2clue,), and the other marked card is red3,with a red3clue,, red4,with a red4clue, or red5,with a red5clue, (because every marked card will be playable at some point).
Fix clue
red2,with a red2clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green5,with a green5clue, blue5,with a blue5clue, white5,with a white5clue,

white1,with a white1clue,white1,with a white1clue,white2,with a white2clue,red4,with a red4clue, Bob 🡲 yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red5,with a red5clue,red3,with a red3clue,white3,with a white3clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy's red3,with a red3clue, must play next.
  • The focus of a 3 clue on its own will be white3,with a white3clue, and the focus of a red clue will be red5,with a red5clue,.
  • Alice to Cathy: these 2 cards are red.

red2,with a red2clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green5,with a green5clue, blue5,with a blue5clue, white5,with a white5clue, white1,with a white1clue,white1,with a white1clue,white2,with a white2clue,red4,with a red4clue, Bob 🡲 yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red5,with a red5clue,red3,with a red3clue,white3,with a white3clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob to Cathy: these 2 cards are 3s - this fix clue changes the focus from red5,with a red5clue, to red3,with a red3clue, (now visible).

red2,with a red2clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green5,with a green5clue, blue5,with a blue5clue, white5,with a white5clue, white1,with a white1clue,white1,with a white1clue,white2,with a white2clue,red4,with a red4clue, Bob 🡲

yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red5,with a red5clue,red3,with a red3clue,white3,with a white3clue, Cathy 🡲
Prompt
red2,with a red2clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue3,with a blue3clue, white4,with a white4clue,

card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 blue5,with a blue5clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 white2,with a white2clue,white4,with a white4clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,red4,with a red4clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Cathy: this card is red.

red2,with a red2clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue3,with a blue3clue, white4,with a white4clue, card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue,card back,with a clue, Alice 🡲 blue5,with a blue5clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue,red3,with a red3clue,white5,with a white5clue, Bob 🡲 white2,with a white2clue,white4,with a white4clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,red4,with a red4clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy now knows her marked card is the next playable in the sequence ⇨ red4,with a red4clue,, because red3,with a red3clue, is already marked.
  • Bob now knows his marked red card is red3,with a red3clue, and he must play it now.
Finesse
red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue,

blue1,with a blue1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Bob 🡲 red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Cathy: this card is blue.

red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue, blue1,with a blue1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Bob 🡲 red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy now knows her marked card blue2,with a blue2clue, is playable.
  • Bob knows that Cathy will bomb her blue2,with a blue2clue, as blue1,with a blue1clue, unless a blue1,with a blue1clue, is played first.
  • Bob does not see the connecting blue1,with a blue1clue,, so assumes he has to play it now.
  • Bob does not have a marked card that could be blue1,with a blue1clue,, so Bob blind plays his newest unmarked card.
  • blue1,with a blue1clue, successfully plays.
Reversed finesse
red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue,

red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Bob 🡲 blue1,with a blue1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Bob: this card is blue.

red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue, red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Bob 🡲 blue1,with a blue1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob now knows his marked blue2,with a blue2clue, is playable.
  • Bob sees the newest, unmarked card in Cathy's hand is of the same colour and playable now. Bob assumes it is a finesse with the players in reversed order and his blue card is blue2,with a blue2clue,.
Bluff
red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue,

white1,with a white1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Bob 🡲 red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Alice to Cathy: this card is blue.

red,with a redclue, yellow,with a yellowclue, green,with a greenclue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue, white1,with a white1clue,red5,with a red5clue,blue3,with a blue3clue,white1,with a white1clue, Bob 🡲 red5,with a red5clue,red2,with a red2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue,green2,with a green2clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy now knows her marked card blue2,with a blue2clue, is playable.
  • Bob does not see the connecting blue1,with a blue1clue,, so assumes he has to play it now.
  • Bob does not have a marked card that could be blue1,with a blue1clue,, so Bob blind plays his newest unmarked card.
  • white1,with a white1clue, successfully plays and the bluff is revealed.
  • Before Bob played, Cathy thought her marked card was blue1,with a blue1clue,.
  • After Bob plays, Cathy knows her marked card is another valuable blue card.

All conventions interpret Cathy's card as a valuable, not-yet-playable blue card.

Some interpretations are more stringent, also must be a 1-away-from-playable blue2,with a blue2clue,.
Long finesse
​
  • Alice to Bob: this card is a 4.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue,with a blueclue, white,with a whiteclue, white1,with a white1clue,white2,with a white2clue,white4,with a white4clue,green1,with a green1clue, Bob 🡲 white3,with a white3clue,blue1,with a blue1clue,green1,with a green1clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob has been given a play clue and does not see a playable card in any hand, so Bob blind plays his draw card.
  • white1,with a white1clue, successfully plays.
  • Cathy sees that Bob has white2,with a white2clue, in front of white4,with a white4clue, but white3,with a white3clue, is missing, so Cathy knows she must play white3,with a white3clue, at the correct moment.
  • Cathy discards, Alice discards and Bob blind plays his 2nd slot white2,with a white2clue,.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue,with a blueclue, white2,with a white2clue, blue5,with a blue5clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,white4,with a white4clue,green1,with a green1clue, Bob 🡲 yellow2,with a yellow2clue,white3,with a white3clue,blue1,with a blue1clue,green1,with a green1clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Cathy blind plays her 2nd slot white3,with a white3clue,.
  • Alice discards and Bob plays the marked white4,with a white4clue,.

Layered Finesse

Players assume:

  • BGA Finesse convention above.
  • Finessed cards can be layered behind other unrelated, but playable cards.

Examples

Layered finesse
​
  • Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are blue.

red1,with a red1clue, yellow1,with a yellow1clue, green1,with a green1clue, blue,with a blueclue, white4,with a white4clue, blue2,with a blue2clue,blue5,with a blue5clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,green1,with a green1clue, Bob 🡲 red2,with a red2clue,yellow2,with a yellow2clue,blue1,with a blue1clue,green1,with a green1clue, Cathy 🡲

  • Bob sees a playable blue1,with a blue1clue, in Cathy's hand, layered behind other playable cards red2,with a red2clue, and yellow2,with a yellow2clue,.
  • Bob discards and Cathy blind plays for blue1,with a blue1clue,. red2,with a red2clue, successfully plays.
  • Cathy knows this cannot be a bluff because Bob would not discard unless he sees a playable blue1,with a blue1clue, in Cathy's hand.
  • So Cathy knows she is promised blue1,with a blue1clue, and keeps playing each slot from left to right until her blue1,with a blue1clue, is played.

Definitions

Basic

Convention: Agreed set of clue, play and discard interpretations. e.g. a number clue that marks the chop card should be interpreted as a unique card save (if there is a unique card of that number).

Strategy: Plan to achieve the highest score. e.g. to mark first copies of cards.

Marked: A card touched by a clue.

Focus: The target card of a clue.

Play clue: Clue that marks a focused card to play.

Playable: A card that can be marked by a play clue.

Trash: A card that can never be played successfully.

Bomb: A play that causes a misfire.

Draw: The newest card in a hand.

Chop: The oldest, unmarked card in a hand.

Unique: The last remaining card of its rank and colour (that can be played successfully at some point).

Save: A (number) clue that marks a chop card to prevent discard.

Prompt: A play clue that causes connecting marked card(s) to play.

Intermediate

Good Touch Principle: All marked cards will eventually be played.

Splash: Additional new colour or rank information of cards that are not the focus.

Locked: A hand with all cards marked without any plays.

Reclue: A repeated clue that causes marked card(s) to play.

Fix clue: Follow-up clue required to change the focus of a play clue (and prevent a misfire).

Discard clue: Clue that marks trash card(s) to be discarded (to prevent a misfire or unwanted discard).

Stall clue: A clue given to avoid discarding.

Finesse: A play clue that causes connecting unmarked card(s) to play.

Bluff: A play clue that causes a non-connecting unmarked card to play.

Bluff seat: The player directly before the player who is bluffed.¹

Bottom-decked: When the remaining copy of a playable card is too near the bottom of the deck to achieve a perfect score.

Early save: A save clue with a known playable card in the same hand, or does not mark the chop card¹. i.e. a play clue.

Double save: Two consecutive saves in the same hand.

Double discard: Two consecutive players discard copies of the same chop card, resulting in a unique discard. A special problem, since, to each of the consecutive players, a number clue that marks their chop card does not look like a save clue (and therefore looks like a play clue).

Sarcastic discard: Discard of a duplicate marked copy of a card in another hand.

Skip / steal: When a player gives a clue that could have been given by one of the skipped players.

Scream discard: An unexpected discard to save a unique card in another hand.

Advanced

Long finesse: A finesse of three or more cards lasting more than one complete round.

Layered finesse: A finesse with unrelated playable card(s) in front of the target card(s).

Scream play: An unexpected chop play to save a unique card in another hand.

Clued misplay: A play clue that causes a misfire to prevent a unique discard in the same hand.

Positional misplay: An unexpected play that marks the same slot position in another hand to play immediately.

Gentleman's discard: Discard of a playable card to play an unmarked copy in another hand.

Play refusal: Instead of playing, a player clues or discards their chop.

Hesitation play: After a play refusal of a playable card, another player may be able to blind play an unmarked card.

Generation discard: An unexpected discard to gain 1clue tokens.

¹bluff seat is an H-Group concept. Note that this concept is unhelpful for understanding how bluffs work since outside of H-Group, it is possible to bluff any player given the right conditions.

Options

Colors

Normal: 5 colors

50 cards
Red (r) red1,with a red1clue,red1,with a red1clue,red1,with a red1clue, red2,with a red2clue,red2,with a red2clue, red3,with a red3clue,red3,with a red3clue, red4,with a red4clue,red4,with a red4clue, red5,with a red5clue,
Yellow (y) yellow1,with a yellow1clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue,yellow1,with a yellow1clue, yellow2,with a yellow2clue,yellow2,with a yellow2clue, yellow3,with a yellow3clue,yellow3,with a yellow3clue, yellow4,with a yellow4clue,yellow4,with a yellow4clue, yellow5,with a yellow5clue,
Green (g) green1,with a green1clue,green1,with a green1clue,green1,with a green1clue, green2,with a green2clue,green2,with a green2clue, green3,with a green3clue,green3,with a green3clue, green4,with a green4clue,green4,with a green4clue, green5,with a green5clue,
Blue (b) blue1,with a blue1clue,blue1,with a blue1clue,blue1,with a blue1clue, blue2,with a blue2clue,blue2,with a blue2clue, blue3,with a blue3clue,blue3,with a blue3clue, blue4,with a blue4clue,blue4,with a blue4clue, blue5,with a blue5clue,
White (w) white1,with a white1clue,white1,with a white1clue,white1,with a white1clue, white2,with a white2clue,white2,with a white2clue, white3,with a white3clue,white3,with a white3clue, white4,with a white4clue,white4,with a white4clue, white5,with a white5clue,

Tricky: 6th color (10 cards)

  • These cards are marked by a separate multicolour clue.
+10 cards
Multicolour (m) multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue,multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue,multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue, multicolour2,with a multicolour2clue,multicolour2,with a multicolour2clue, multicolour3,with a multicolour3clue,multicolour3,with a multicolour3clue, multicolour4,with a multicolour4clue,multicolour4,with a multicolour4clue, multicolour5,with a multicolour5clue,

Difficult: 6th color (5 cards)

  • These cards are marked by a separate multicolour clue.
+5 cards
Multicolour (m) multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue, multicolour2,with a multicolour2clue, multicolour3,with a multicolour3clue, multicolour4,with a multicolour4clue, multicolour5,with a multicolour5clue,

Avalanche of Colors: Multicolor (10 multicolor)

  • These cards are marked by any colour clue.
+10 cards
Multicolour (m) multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue,multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue,multicolour1,with a multicolour1clue, multicolour2,with a multicolour2clue,multicolour2,with a multicolour2clue, multicolour3,with a multicolour3clue,multicolour3,with a multicolour3clue, multicolour4,with a multicolour4clue,multicolour4,with a multicolour4clue, multicolour5,with a multicolour5clue,

Black Powder

  • Clues cannot be given for the colour black.
  • Black cards must be played in reverse order 5 ⇨ 4 ⇨ 3 ⇨ 2 ⇨ 1.
+10 cards
Black Powder (p/k) black powder5,with a black powder5clue,black powder5,with a black powder5clue,black powder5,with a black powder5clue, black powder4,with a black powder4clue,black powder4,with a black powder4clue, black powder3,with a black powder3clue,black powder3,with a black powder3clue, black powder2,with a black powder2clue,black powder2,with a black powder2clue, black powder1,with a black powder1clue,

5 flamboyants

After playing the last card of a colour, randomly draw a bonus card and apply its effect:

  1. Gain 1clue tokens
  2. Gain 1clue tokens and recover a life.
  3. Give a colour clue.
  4. Give a number clue.
  5. Shuffle a discarded card into the deck (optional).
  6. Play a discarded card (optional).

Convention used

Name Summary References
Unspecified No convention, so don't assume any conventional moves!

Ask the table host if they will be following any convention.

N/A
Finesse BGA convention with blind-plays Finesse convention above

Hanabi "reference" for bga

Layered finesse BGA Finesse convention with additional unrelated blind-plays Layered Finesse convention above

Hanabi "reference" for bga

User:Sammy_McSam/Hanabi

H-Group Comprehensive, level-based and chop-focused H-Group
Other Not listed above Other conventions below

Preset deck

Preset decks are useful for comparing teams/conventions using the same deck:

  • No (cards are shuffled)
  • Preset deck #1 of the day
  • Preset deck #2 of the day
  • Preset deck #3 of the day
  • Preset deck #4 of the day
  • Preset deck #5 of the day

Preset decks are changed at 0:00 (?) UTC

Unofficial variant

Deal
# Players 2 3 4 5
# Cards 6 5 4 3

Other conventions

Name Summary References
Logical Leftism No convention, just logic hanabi logic
Conventional Leftism Another name for Finesse hanabi logic

Postmans

Hat-guessing Clues relate to slot position, not the cards marked H-Group

Robert Kaspar

H-Group empty clues

Closest Friend Clue interpretation depends on which player gave the clue H-Group
Secret convention Each player randomly selects a secret restriction Secret variant

Secret hanabi restriction

Chat

  • It is against the rules of the game to share information that influences a player's move beyond the game actions of cluing, playing, or discarding.
  • Even a single question mark sent in chat can influence the decisions of all players. e.g. a missed finesse or some other unexpected move.
  • This is why it is best to wait until the end of the game to discuss moves.

ELO rating

Rating is visibly hidden around tables with the 7 distinct ELO skill levels:

rank Beginner rank Apprentice rank Average rank Good rank Strong rank Expert rank Master.
  1. Hanabot's ELO is generated from:
    • Final score¹
    • Average team ELO
    • Colour option²
  2. ELO change is calculated as if tied with Hanabot.

Hanabots' ELO ratings were set by an experienced player - i.e. ratings are not random or simply proportional to score or players' ELO.

¹Hanabot's ELO = 0 with scores < 18 (5 colours) and < 21 (6 colours).

²+5 card multicolor option is unrated (too dependent on draw to reflect skill).

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