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Bonsai

Bonsai

(Unknown) · 2023
2–420–30 min8+ yrs1.8/5 complexity7.2 BGG
short answer

How do you play Bonsai?

A game of thought and artistry. Players are bonsai tree gardeners competing for the title of "Master Gardener." Bonsai is a beautiful pattern matching tile-laying game where players use tiles to grow their tree and compete for the best overall submission.

To find the best price for Bonsai, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.

Watch It Played · Bonsai - How To Play
Bonsai - How To Play

Bonsai - How To Play

Watch It Played· 16 min· published Aug 29, 2023Community

A game of thought and artistry. Players are bonsai tree gardeners competing for the title of "Master Gardener."

Bonsai is a beautiful pattern matching tile-laying game where players use tiles to grow their tree and compete for the best overall submission. The game is played over the course of 12 turns depicted on the turn track.

Players take turns selecting and adding a branch tile to their flower pot. Each tile has a color: red, green, or yellow. When players have created a pattern that corresponds to a pattern card in play, they obtain that pattern card. As the game progresses players are given the opportunity to add foliage to their tree, but only to certain branches. This foliage can also count towards color patterns.

Trunk tiles and Large trunk tiles are placed on top of branch tiles. Trunks are worth VP, and build your tree "up" visually, which is very satisfying.

In the basic rules, players have a one-time use special power to trim their tree, or change the position of 1 tile. This happens more often in Advanced Play.

Scoring happens at the end of the game, when players easily count points for every pattern card completed, the number of visible points on tiles, and community goal cards. But watch out! If your tree has any spare branches, you're going to lose 1 point for each one!

🔬 game anatomy
Complexity1.8 / 5
BGG rating7.2 / 10
Play time
20–30 min
Players
2–4
Recommended age
8+ yrs

from Trișache · verified

Frequently asked questions

Q1How much does Bonsai cost?
No store is currently tracking Bonsai. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q2Where can I buy Bonsai cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q3How do you play Bonsai?
Bonsai is a environmental game, for 2–4 players, taking ~20–30 minutes, featuring contracts. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Bonsai — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q4How many players does Bonsai support?
Bonsai is played by 2–4 players.
Q5How long does a game of Bonsai take?
A game of Bonsai takes about 20–30 minutes. (The first game doesn't count. It never counts.)
Q6What age is Bonsai for?
Bonsai is recommended from age 8.
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