- BGG rank
- BGG #22,279
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Split
- 2–5 players
- 10–15 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,879
- BGG rating
- 5.5
HELP!
2021
Rules assistance for HELP!
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 20 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for HELP!
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
HELP! is a board game released in 2021 for 3–5 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Kim Vandenbroucke and its main mechanics are Hand Management.
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About the game
In HELP!, you don't want to be stuck unable to play a card or unable to help a neighbor play. The game is played in rounds that alternate in clockwise and counter-clockwise order. The deck of cards is numbered 1-11, with more of the higher cards than lower ones; four types of special cards are also included in the deck. Deal each player a hand of four cards, then create a space next to the deck that can hold up to six cards. Whoever has the lowest card in hand plays that card next to the deck, then refills their hand. Each player in turn plays a higher card, and when the sixth card is played in the row, discard all six cards, with the next player then playing whatever card they want. If you can't play on a turn, ask the previous player whether they have a card you can play; if they do, the two of you exchange cards, then you play. You can play special cards — or pass them to or receive them from a neighbor — to get you out of a jam: X is a joker that can be inserted in the middle of a row or at the end, and it counts as one higher than whatever card it's next to. Switch allows you to replace a card in the row with a different card from your hand as long as the row is still in ascending order. Zap removes the last card in the row. No!, which is placed in front of you, serves as your play for the turn and also skips your next turn; additionally, you are skipped when a neighbor needs help. If you can't play a card and a neighbor can't help you, then the round ends and each other player scores 1 point. Alternatively, if you can't play and everyone else has a No! in front of them, which prevents them from helping, the round ends and you score 1 point because they failed you in that moment. Keep playing rounds until one or more players have 3 points and win the game.
Questions and answers
HELP! supports 3–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for HELP! is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists HELP! for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
HELP! has a complexity rating of 1.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
HELP! belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of HELP! are: Kim Vandenbroucke. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists HELP! as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.