
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,235
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Quiddler
- 1–8 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1998

1990
Rules assistance for Palabra
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Palabra is a board game released in 1990 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Jim Kondrick and its main mechanics are Set Collection and Spelling.
From the back of the box: THE GAME IN A NUTSHELL Cards with color-coded letters create crafty new ways to score. Make words from cards of mixed colors From cards all the same color (scores double) With "straights" of three or more consecutive letters With starred cards that double or triple the value of words With "flushes" (five or more cards all the same color, no word necessary) By "building" on words played by opponents In other shrewd and wily ways Get help from three wild cards that can be substituted for any letter or any color Zap your opponent's big score with point-canceling "killer-card" (Joker) Game ends when all cards are used. Highest total score wins.
Palabra 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 Palabra is 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 Palabra for ages 12 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.
Palabra has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Palabra belongs to these categories: Card Game and Word Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Spelling. 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 Palabra are: Jim Kondrick. 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 Palabra 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.