Edition: Classic Spot It!, called Dobble outside North America, with 55 round cards and 8 symbols on each card. Last checked October 25, 2026
Spot It! Rules: How to Play Spot It (Dobble)
Spot It!, known as Dobble in Denmark and Europe, is a fast reaction game where any two cards always share exactly one symbol. The first to spot it and say it wins. Here are the five mini games and the rules that cause the most arguments.
- Players
- 2 to 8
- Age
- 6 and up
- Playing time
- 15 minutes
How to win: Find the matching symbol faster than everyone else. How you win depends on which mini game you play.
Who is right?
The classic arguments at the table when you play Spot It! (Dobble).
Who wins when two players call the symbol at the same time?
It depends.
The rules say the fastest player wins. When it is impossible to tell, the most common fix is a quick duel with two new cards.
Many families let the youngest player take the card instead.
Does it count if you call the symbol by a different name?
Yes, if everyone understands what you mean.
What matters is pointing to the right symbol and saying a name that makes sense. Whether you call it a clown or a face does not matter.
Some agree on names for the tricky symbols before starting, so there is no doubt.
Is it wrong to call a symbol that doesn't match?
Yes.
You have to call a symbol that is actually on both cards. A wrong answer does not win the card.
Many give a penalty for wrong answers, like sitting out the next card or taking an extra card.
Is there always only one matching symbol?
Yes.
Two cards always share exactly one symbol, never more and never less. The symbol may just be bigger or smaller on one of them.
No house rule changes that. If you find two, look again.
What you need
- A Spot It! or Dobble deck with 55 cards
Setup
- 1Choose which mini game you want to play.
- 2Shuffle the cards and deal them as the mini game says.
- 3Try a few cards together first so everyone knows the symbols.
How to play
- 1Everyone flips their cards at the same time.
- 2Find the symbol your card shares with the card you need to match.
- 3Say the name of the symbol out loud.
- 4The first to say the right symbol moves the card as the mini game describes.
- 5Keep going right away until the mini game is over.
The cards
Each card has 8 symbols. No matter which two cards you pick, they always share exactly one symbol. The symbol can be a different size on each card.
The five mini games
- The Tower: Everyone gets 1 card, and the rest go face up in a pile. When you spot the match between your card and the top card of the pile, take it and put it on your own. Most cards wins.
- The Well: Deal out all cards and put one in the middle. Find the match between your top card and the middle card, and play your card on the middle. First to get rid of all cards wins.
- Hot Potato: Everyone holds 1 card. Find a match with an opponent's card and give your card to that player. Whoever ends up with all the cards loses the round.
- Catch Them All: One card goes face up in the middle with as many face-down cards around it as there are players. Flip them and grab the ones that match the middle card. Most cards wins.
- The Poisoned Gift: Everyone gets 1 card, and the rest form a pile. Find a match between the pile's top card and an opponent's card, and put the pile's card on that opponent's card. Fewest cards wins.
House rules
Pick the rules you want to play with tonight. Everyone at the table has to agree.
Our Spot It! (Dobble) rules for tonight
Everything else follows the official rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in Spot It?
The classic game has 55 cards with 8 symbols on each.
Which Spot It mini game is best for young kids?
The Tower and The Well are easiest to understand, because everyone only compares with one card in the middle.
How many people can play Spot It?
2 to 8 players. With many players it gets fast and very lively.
Source: The publisher's rulebook for Spot It! and Dobble, explained in our own words. The rules are written in our own words. Ask the referee if you are unsure.