Lovebirds
Azeri Games · Board game · 2026
3–5
20–30 min
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rating
Ludopedia
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rating
BGG
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rating
Ludopedia
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rating
BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy quick games with sealed bid auctions and a dash of bluffing, Lovebirds is the perfect choice to liven up your table and test your intuition against friends.
Highlights
- Clever sealed bid
- Intense interaction
- Fast-paced games
- Fun theme
- Simple rules
Keep in mind
- Can be cutthroat
- Interaction dependent
- Bluffing essential
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready for a dose of cuteness with a touch of cruelty in Lovebirds, the new card game from master Reiner Knizia! Designed for 3 to 5 players with quick 20-30 minute games, the goal is deceptively simple: pair up birds and prevent any from being left alone. But don't be fooled, the task is trickier than it sounds.
Each round, players secretly pick a number and reveal it simultaneously. The player with the highest card gets the female lovebirds, while the lowest bid attracts the males. The magic happens when you get one of each: they fly off together, and you're one step closer to a clean slate. The trouble starts when you accumulate unpaired birds, racking up 'sadness' points each round. And the worst part? You have no idea what your opponents are about to play!
Is it worth aiming for the middle to avoid both extremes, or will you go for broke on a 50 or a 1, hoping the birds you get are the ones you actually need? With nine turns per round and one round per player, the pile of lonely, 'heartbroken' birds is just waiting to punish anyone who wasn't paying attention. The player with the fewest Sadness Points at the end wins, and yes, everyone will absolutely blame you if their birds end up single! For those who think regular heartbreak isn't punishing enough, the game includes five optional variants to ramp up the challenge even further. It's a light, fast-paced game full of interaction, perfect for those who enjoy auctions with a touch of bluffing and plenty of laughs.
Each round, players secretly pick a number and reveal it simultaneously. The player with the highest card gets the female lovebirds, while the lowest bid attracts the males. The magic happens when you get one of each: they fly off together, and you're one step closer to a clean slate. The trouble starts when you accumulate unpaired birds, racking up 'sadness' points each round. And the worst part? You have no idea what your opponents are about to play!
Is it worth aiming for the middle to avoid both extremes, or will you go for broke on a 50 or a 1, hoping the birds you get are the ones you actually need? With nine turns per round and one round per player, the pile of lonely, 'heartbroken' birds is just waiting to punish anyone who wasn't paying attention. The player with the fewest Sadness Points at the end wins, and yes, everyone will absolutely blame you if their birds end up single! For those who think regular heartbreak isn't punishing enough, the game includes five optional variants to ramp up the challenge even further. It's a light, fast-paced game full of interaction, perfect for those who enjoy auctions with a touch of bluffing and plenty of laughs.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
3
OK
4
OK
5
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Azeri Games
Designer
Reiner Knizia
Artist
Gianfranco Giordano
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
6wishlist
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play Lovebirds?
Lovebirds is designed for 3 to 5 players, making it great for small to medium-sized groups.
What is the average playtime for a game?
Games are quite fast! They typically last between 20 and 30 minutes, perfect for fitting between other games or for a quick session.
Is the game too complex for beginners?
Not at all! The rules are very simple to learn, but the strategy of guessing other players' bids offers enough depth for more experienced players.
What are the main components of the game?
The game is essentially a card game, so you can expect many bird cards and perhaps some tokens for scoring, but the focus is on the cards.
Who is Lovebirds best suited for?
It's ideal for those who enjoy auction games with a touch of bluffing and a lot of player interaction. If you like quick games with a friendly 'cutthroat' element, you'll love it!
Are there any expansions or variants included?
Yes! The base game already comes with five optional variants for those who want to spice up the experience even further and make the challenge of avoiding 'single' birds even greater.
