Splendor

To set up Splendor, first separate the 90 development cards into three decks based on the color on their backs (green for level 1, yellow for level 2, blue for level 3). Shuffle each deck individually and stack them face-down on the table, with the level 1 deck at the bottom, level 2 in the middle, and level 3 at the top. Then, reveal the top four cards from each deck, placing them face-up in a row next to their respective decks. Next, shuffle the 10 noble tiles and place a number of them face-up equal to the number of players plus one (e.g., 3 nobles for 2 players, 4 for 3 players, 5 for 4 players), returning any unused nobles to the box. Finally, arrange the gem tokens in separate piles by color. For a two-player game, use four tokens of each color; for a three-player game, use five of each; for a four-player game, use all seven tokens of each color. All five gold tokens are always used, regardless of the number of players.

The objective of Splendor is to be the first player to accumulate 15 or more prestige points. Prestige points are primarily gained from development cards and by attracting noble tiles. Players strategically collect gems to purchase development cards, which in turn provide permanent gem bonuses and prestige points, ultimately helping them meet the requirements to attract nobles for additional prestige.

On your turn, you must choose and perform exactly one of three possible actions. The first action is to take gem tokens: you can either take three different colored gem tokens (excluding gold), or take two gem tokens of the same color, provided there are at least four tokens of that color remaining in the pile. The second action is to buy a development card: you pay the cost of a face-up development card or a previously reserved card using your gem tokens and permanent gem bonuses from owned development cards. The purchased card is placed face-up in front of you, and a new card is immediately drawn from its deck to replace it. The third action is to reserve a development card: you take one face-up development card or the top card from any of the three development decks (without looking at it if from a deck) and place it face-down in your hand. When you reserve a card, you also take one gold token, which acts as a wildcard. You can hold a maximum of three reserved cards at any time.

Prestige points are accumulated throughout the game. Each development card you purchase may have a number of prestige points indicated on it. Additionally, noble tiles grant prestige points if you meet their specific requirements (a certain number of permanent gem bonuses of particular colors) at the end of your turn. The number of prestige points each noble provides is clearly marked on the tile. The player who reaches 15 or more prestige points triggers the end of the game, and the player with the highest total prestige points at the end of that round wins.

The game immediately ends when a player reaches 15 or more prestige points at the end of their turn. However, the current round is completed, meaning all other players get one final turn to try and surpass the leading player's score. After everyone has had an equal number of turns, players compare their total prestige points. The player with the highest prestige points wins. In case of a tie in prestige points, the tied player with the fewest development cards in their possession (including reserved cards) is the winner. If there's still a tie, the player who is closest to the starting player in turn order wins.