
- BGG rank
- BGG #350
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Lost Cities
- 2 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 1999

Rules assistance for Sokrates
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.
Sokrates is a board game released in 1994 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Reiner Knizia and its main mechanics are Set Collection.
He who believes he knows something still does not know enough. But he who has a little luck, weighs his chances, and joyfully takes risks can win the most cards. But the risk does not always pay off. As Sokrates said: "I know that I do not know anything!" Sokrates is a light card game where players attempt to collect sets of numbers or colors. The deck consists of 54 cards: three each of values 2 to 5 in red, yellow, green, and blue, as well as 6 wild Sokrates cards. Each player tries to collect as many cards as possible. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins.
Sokrates supports 2–4 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 Sokrates 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 Sokrates 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.
Sokrates has a complexity rating of 1.2 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.
Sokrates belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Set Collection. 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 Sokrates 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 Sokrates 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.