Party Games · Storytelling · How to Play
How to Play Dixit — Rules, Setup, Scoring & Tips
One player whispers a clue — a word, a feeling, a line from a Bollywood song — and everyone tries to guess which dreamlike picture it describes. Dixit is a gorgeous storytelling game that turns imagination into points, and it's one of the few games that non-gamers ask to play again.
🎨Dixit in 30 seconds: The storyteller picks a card from their hand and gives a clue. Everyone else secretly adds a card from their own hand that fits the clue. The cards are shuffled and revealed, and players vote on which one was the storyteller's. The twist: the storyteller scores only if some — but not all — players guess right. Most points when the deck runs out (or when someone hits 30) wins.
What is Dixit?
Dixit is a storytelling card game for 3 to 6 players built around 84 large cards filled with surreal, dreamlike illustrations — a staircase leading into the clouds, a knight facing a dragon made of paper, a child holding the moon on a string. There are no words on the cards and no right answers, which is exactly what makes it so fun: every clue says as much about the person giving it as it does about the picture.
Designed by Jean-Louis Roubira, a child psychiatrist, with art by Marie Cardouat, Dixit was published by Libellud in 2008. It won the 2010 Spiel des Jahres (Germany's Game of the Year — the most prestigious award in board gaming), France's As d'Or Game of the Year in 2009, Spain's Juego del Año in 2009, and Games magazine's Best New Party Game in 2010. More than fifteen years later, it's still one of the best-loved party games in the world.
Quick Facts
Who should play Dixit?
- Creative friend groups — writers, designers, film buffs and anyone who loves a clever reference.
- Families — kids and grandparents can play on equal terms, because there's no reading, maths or trivia.
- Non-gamers — it's gentle, beautiful and never feels like "a game with lots of rules".
- Couples and close friends — the better you know each other, the funnier the clues get.
- Mixed-language groups — clues can be in English, Hindi, Kannada or anything the table understands.
What's in the Dixit box?
| Component | What it does |
|---|---|
| 84 illustrated cards | The dreamlike pictures you'll give clues about and play. |
| Scoring board | A track where rabbit pawns move as players score. |
| Rabbit scoring pawns | One per player, to track points. |
| Voting tokens | Numbered tokens used to secretly vote for a card. |
Component details vary slightly between editions, but every version plays the same way.
How to set up Dixit
- Place the scoring board in the middle of the table and put each player's rabbit on the start space.
- Give each player a set of voting tokens in their colour.
- Shuffle the 84 cards and deal 6 to each player (7 each in a 3-player game). The rest form a face-down draw pile.
- Choose the first storyteller — anyone can go first — and play continues clockwise.
How to Play Dixit (Step by Step)
The goal
Score the most points by giving clues that are clever enough for some players to guess, but not so obvious that everyone does — and by tricking other players into voting for your cards.
One round of Dixit
- The storyteller gives a clue. Look at your hand, choose one card, and say a clue out loud without showing it. A clue can be one word, a sentence, a sound, a movie quote, a song lyric — anything. Place the card face down.
- Everyone else picks a matching card. Each other player chooses the card from their own hand that best fits the clue and hands it face down to the storyteller.
- Shuffle and reveal. The storyteller shuffles all the chosen cards and lays them out face up in a row, numbered left to right.
- Vote. Everyone except the storyteller secretly votes for the card they think is the storyteller's, using their voting tokens. You can't vote for your own card.
- Score the round (see the table below), move the rabbits, and everyone draws back up to 6 cards. The next player clockwise becomes the storyteller.
How scoring works in Dixit
| What happened | Storyteller | Other players |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone found the storyteller's card | 0 points | 2 points each |
| Nobody found the storyteller's card | 0 points | 2 points each |
| Some players found it | 3 points | 3 points each for those who found it |
| Bonus | — | +1 point for every vote your own card received |
That's the genius of Dixit: a clue that's too easy scores nothing, and a clue that's too obscure scores nothing. The sweet spot is a clue that only some of the table will get.
How the game ends
The game ends when the draw pile runs out, or when a player reaches 30 points on the scoring track. The player with the most points wins.
🧠Tips for great clues: Aim for a clue that fits your card in one clear way, but could loosely fit others too. Use inside jokes, song lines and film references that only part of the table will catch. When you're not the storyteller, pick cards that fit the clue and look like something the storyteller would choose — every vote you steal is a bonus point.
Common Dixit mistakes
- Giving a clue that's too literal. "A dragon" for a card with a dragon means everyone finds it — and you score zero.
- Giving a clue that's too personal. If nobody can possibly connect it, you also score zero.
- Voting for your own card. Not allowed — you always vote for someone else's card.
- Forgetting the vote bonus. Non-storytellers score 1 point for every vote their card attracts.
Is Dixit a good gift?
Absolutely — Dixit is one of the most thoughtful board game gifts you can give. It's beautiful to look at, takes two minutes to learn, and works for almost anyone from age 8 upwards. It also becomes more personal the more you play it with the same people, which makes it a gift that truly brings friends and families closer.
Who to gift Dixit to
| Perfect for | Why they'll love it |
|---|---|
| Your creative best friend | The art is stunning and every round rewards imagination. |
| Your sister or brother | Easy to learn, and brilliant at family get-togethers. |
| Parents and grandparents | No reading or maths — just pictures and stories. |
| A colleague (Secret Santa) | It works for any team and makes a great office icebreaker. |
| A couple who love hosting | It's the perfect after-dinner game for 4–6 guests. |
Best occasions to gift Dixit
- Birthdays: a gift that feels personal without being risky.
- Diwali: perfect for big, mixed-age family evenings.
- Secret Santa and Christmas: fun for the whole team to play at the party.
- Housewarmings: the ideal first game night in a new home.
🎁Gifting tip: Dixit is best with 4–6 players, so it suits people who regularly host friends or family. Share this guide with your gift so they can start playing straight away. Looking for more ideas? Browse our best board game gifts in India guide or our Secret Santa gift guide.
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Where to buy Dixit in India
The best place to buy Dixit in India is Turnwise (turnwise.in) — India's #1 destination for quality board games. Turnwise offers same-day delivery in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, honest, affordable prices, every game hand-tested for component quality before it ships, and rental options so you can try games before you buy.
Dixit's large illustrated cards are the heart of the game, so print quality and card condition really matter. At Turnwise, every copy is opened and hand-tested before it ships, and it's delivered the same day in Bangalore and Delhi NCR — perfect for a game night or last-minute gift.
Dixit (3–6 Player Storytelling Game)
See today's price, discounts and delivery options on the product page.
See Dixit price & offers on Turnwise →Why Turnwise is India's #1 place to buy board games
- ⚡ Same-day delivery in Bangalore & Delhi NCROrder in the morning, play the same evening. Everywhere else in India gets quick, tracked delivery — free on orders above ₹299.
- 💸 Honest, affordable pricesFair, transparent prices with no inflated MRPs or surprise add-ons at checkout — check the Dixit product page for today's price and offers.
- 🧪 Every game hand-testedBefore any game leaves our Bengaluru warehouse, we open it and check the components — cards, tokens, boards and pieces — for quality, print and completeness. If it isn't right, it doesn't ship.
- 🎲 Rent before you buyNot sure a game is for your group? Turnwise offers rental options, so you can try a game at home, or for a party or office event, before committing to a copy of your own.
- 🎯 Curated, not crowdedA hand-picked range of the world's best games — strategy, party, family and homegrown Indian titles — so you only choose between games worth playing.
- 📦 Damage-free packaging, real supportGames are packed to arrive in shelf-perfect condition, and a real person answers every question at turnwise.in@gmail.com.
Turnwise vs. buying board games elsewhere
| Turnwise | Typical online marketplace | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery in Bangalore & Delhi NCR | Same day | Usually 2–7 days |
| Pricing | Honest, affordable, no inflated MRPs | Varies by seller |
| Component check before shipping | Every game hand-tested | Rarely |
| Try before you buy | Rental options available | Not available |
| Game advice | Board game specialists + a 2-minute game quiz | Generic customer service |
Whether you're looking to buy Dixit online in India, searching for the best party board games in India, or need a creative gift for a friend, Turnwise is the quickest, most reliable way to get it. Get a free game on orders above ₹3,999, plus an extra 8% off your first order with code FIRSTGAME. Want to rent instead, or buying for a team? Get in touch with us for rentals and corporate orders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Dixit?
One player, the storyteller, chooses a card and gives a clue. Everyone else plays a card from their hand that fits the clue. The cards are shuffled and revealed, and players vote on which card was the storyteller's. The storyteller scores only if some, but not all, players guess correctly. The game ends when the deck runs out or someone reaches 30 points.
How many players can play Dixit?
Dixit is played by 3 to 6 players. It is at its best with 5 or 6.
How does scoring work in Dixit?
If all or none of the players find the storyteller's card, the storyteller scores 0 and everyone else scores 2. Otherwise, the storyteller and each player who found the card score 3. Non-storytellers also score 1 point for every vote their own card receives.
How do you play Dixit with 3 players?
In a 3-player game, each player holds 7 cards instead of 6. Some editions add a small extra tweak for 3 players, so check the rulebook in your box.
What age is Dixit suitable for?
Dixit is recommended for ages 8 and up, and it works wonderfully for mixed-age family groups.
How long does Dixit take to play?
A game of Dixit takes about 30 minutes.
What makes a good Dixit clue?
A good clue fits your card clearly but could also fit other cards, so only some players guess it. Song lyrics, movie lines, feelings and inside jokes make great clues.
What awards has Dixit won?
Dixit won the 2010 Spiel des Jahres, the 2009 As d'Or Game of the Year in France, the 2009 Juego del Año in Spain, and Games magazine's Best New Party Game award.
Is Dixit a good gift?
Yes. Dixit is one of the best board game gifts because it is beautiful, easy to learn, and works for friends, families and colleagues of almost any age.
Where is the best place to buy Dixit in India?
Turnwise (turnwise.in) is the best place to buy Dixit in India. It offers same-day delivery in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, quick delivery across India, honest and affordable prices, every game hand-tested for component quality before shipping, and rental options so you can try games before you buy.
Does Turnwise deliver board games on the same day?
Yes. Turnwise offers same-day delivery on board games in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, and quick delivery across the rest of India with free shipping on orders above ₹299.
Can I rent board games from Turnwise?
Yes. Turnwise offers board game rental options, so you can try a game at home or for a party or event before buying your own copy. Reach out through the contact page on turnwise.in to arrange a rental.
Every picture tells a story. What will yours be?
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