
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,169
- BGG rating
- 5.9
We Didn't Playtest This Either
- 2–10 players
- 1–10 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2009

2009
Rules assistance for Win, Lose, or Banana
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 3 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Win, Lose, or Banana is a board game released in 2009 for 3 players, 1 minute per game, and ages 4 and up. It was designed by Chris Cieslik and its main mechanics are Roles with Asymmetric Information.
A super-light card game from Asmadi Games that made a minor splash at Origins in 2009. Players draw one of three cards, and whoever draws the "Win" card wins. The "Who's the Banana?" variant requires the winning player to guess which of the other two players has the "Banana" card.
Win, Lose, or Banana supports 3 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Win, Lose, or Banana is 1 minute. 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 Win, Lose, or Banana for ages 4 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.
Win, Lose, or Banana has a complexity rating of 1.1 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.
Win, Lose, or Banana belongs to these categories: Card Game and Humor. Its main mechanics are Roles with Asymmetric Information. 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 Win, Lose, or Banana are: Chris Cieslik. 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 Win, Lose, or Banana 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.