The best hand management games 2023
Looking for a game where the combination of cards makes them stronger and more powerful? Then check out our list of the best hand management games.
What does "Hand Management" mean in board games?
Hand management games are games with cards that reward players for playing the cards in specific sequences or groups. The optimal sequence/grouping can vary depending on the order of players, the cards still available, and the cards played by opponents. Managing your hand means getting the most value from the cards available under the circumstances. Cards can be used for more than one purpose in some games. This can disguise one's actions.
Examples of games with hand management
A good example of a hand management game is the Ticket to Ride series. Here, one manages one's hand by first collecting different colored train cars and then cleverly combining them.
Another example is Love Letter: here you always have a choice between two cards you have in your hand. For example, if you have a baron and the princess, you can safely kick another player out of the game.
List of the best hand management games 2023
SCOUT
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for The Crew: Mission Deep Sea- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Love Letter
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Love Letter
Sushi Go Party!
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go Party!- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Jaipur
Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.
More details for Jaipur- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Nominated for 21 awards and won 12.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2016
More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 1- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Love Letter
Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.
More details for Love Letter- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Love Letter
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
Nominated for 24 awards and won 12.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020
More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Skull
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Skull- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Skull
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Junk Art
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Junk Art- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
For Sale
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for For Sale- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Unmatched: Cobble & Fog
Nominated for 3 awards.
🔥 Deal: 9% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Unmatched: Cobble & Fog- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!32€ at
.deCentury: Golem Edition
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Love Letter: Premium Edition
- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!17€ at.deVideo reviews for Love Letter: Premium Edition
Wingspan
- 1 - 5 Players
- 40 - 70 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!38€ at.deVideo reviews for Wingspan
Star Realms: Colony Wars
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Star Realms: Colony Wars- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Flamme Rouge
Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.
More details for Flamme Rouge- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Flamme Rouge
Hanamikoji
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Hanamikoji- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!13€ at.deVideo reviews for Hanamikoji
Sushi Go!
Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go!- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!10€ at.deThe Quest for El Dorado
Nominated for 13 awards and won 6.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2017
More details for The Quest for El Dorado- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Quest for El Dorado
Lost Cities
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Lost Cities- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!17€ at.deUnmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Unmatched: Battle of Legends, Volume One- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Marvel United: X-Men
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Marvel United: X-Men- 1 - 5 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Rhino Hero
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Rhino Hero- 2 - 5 Players
- 5 - 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Star Realms
Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.
More details for Star Realms- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Fantasy Realms
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Unmatched: Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!26€ at.deTicket to Ride: Europe
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Ticket to Ride: Europe- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!35€ at.deVideo reviews for Ticket to Ride: Europe
Marvel United
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Marvel United- 1 - 4 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
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