
- BGG rank
- BGG #224
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Modern Art
- 3–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1992

Rules assistance for Meister Makatsu
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Meister Makatsu is a board game released in 2025 for 2–6 players, 20–30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Reiner Knizia and its main mechanics are Hand Management.
In Meister Makatsu, players compete with their ninjas for the favor of the renowned master by demonstrating their mastery of perfect timing and strategic moves. Everyone has their own deck of 24 cards, with cards numbered 1-8 in three colors. You must play these cards wisely over three rounds because each turn whoever plays the highest card in a suit receives points equal to the round number. Played cards are removed from the game, whereas unplayed hand cards return to your deck for use in subsequent rounds. In the end, whoever has the fewest points wins.
Meister Makatsu supports 2–6 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 Meister Makatsu is 20–30 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 Meister Makatsu 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.
Meister Makatsu has a complexity rating of 1.3 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.
Meister Makatsu 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 Meister Makatsu are: Reiner Knizia. 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 Meister Makatsu 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.