Abalone

(Unknown), Abalone Games, abalone s.a. · Board game · 1987
2 · best 2 30 min Weight 2.2/5
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 25.86
7.3 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a good strategic duel, Abalone is a classic worth having in your collection! It's fast, elegant, and full of tactics.

Highlights
  • Elegant and fast-paced
  • Surprising tactical depth
  • Easy to learn
  • Quality components
Keep in mind
  • Strictly two-player
  • Can feel abstract
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Abalone is an abstract strategy game for two players set on a hexagonal board. Each player controls a group of colored marbles, and the goal is to push six of the opponent's marbles off the board. The core mechanic revolves around group pushes: you need to use more marbles than your opponent to move them. Planning your moves is crucial, as the board offers six possible directions, making a complete defense a challenge. The game's beauty lies in its simple rules but emergent tactical depth. Every move counts, and anticipating your opponent's plays is key to victory. It's a pure battle of wits, where the position and strength of your marble group determine success. The game has also won awards in game design competitions, recognizing its originality and gameplay. With optional expansions, it's even possible to adapt the game for up to six players, although the classic experience is for two. Prepare for a direct and elegant confrontation, where each push could be your opponent's last... or yours!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

Duel · 2 players
2 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Category: Combinatorial Components: HexHex5 Grids Components: Marbles Containers: Hexagonal Boxes Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: PlayStrategy Digital Implementations: Steam Game: Abalone Misc: Mensa Select Players: Games with expansions that change player count Players: Two-Player Only Games Series: Games to go (Parker) Versions & Editions: Travel Versions of Non-Travel Games
Publisher (Unknown), Abalone Games, abalone s.a., Anne, asmodee, Belleville (Бельвіль), Boardgame Space, Brio AB, Carrom Art, Creative Crafthouse, Esdevium, FoxMind, Fun Connection, Galoob, Goliath Games, Hasbro, Jumbo, Korea Boardgames, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, Ludens Spirit, Mitra, Oficina do Aprendiz, Oliphante, Parker Brothers, Parker Spiele, Piatnik, Rebel Sp. z o.o., Schmidt International, Schmidt Spiele, Tactic, Tsukuda Hobby, University Games, Week End Games, Zygomatic
Designer Laurent Levi, Michel Lalet
Artist Laurent Levi

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play Abalone?
The base game is designed for 2 players. Expansions exist to allow play with up to 6 people, but the classic experience is for two.
How long does a game take?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting around 30 minutes. Perfect for those who want a quick and strategic game.
Is Abalone difficult to learn?
No, the rules are quite simple and you'll get the hang of it quickly. The complexity comes from the strategic decisions you make.
What are the game's components?
The game comes with a hexagonal board, colored marbles (usually black and white), and a rulebook.
Is it a good game for beginners to board games?
Yes! Because it's easy to learn and fast-paced, it's a great entry point into abstract and strategy games.
Are there any digital versions of Abalone?
Yes, Abalone has digital implementations on platforms like Board Game Arena and Steam.

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