How to Play Catan: The 5-Minute Rules

Catan looks intimidating and plays simple. Here's everything you need for a first game, in the time it takes to set up the board.

The goal

First to 10 victory points wins: settlements are 1 point, cities 2, and Longest Road / Largest Army are 2 each.

Your turn, in three moves

1) Roll: every hex with that number pays its resource to anyone with a settlement touching it — not just the roller.
2) Trade: deal with other players, or 4-of-a-kind to the bank.
3) Build: roads, settlements, cities or development cards.

The robber 🥷

Roll a 7: nobody collects, anyone holding more than 7 cards discards half, and the roller moves the robber to block a hex and steal one card.

Three beginner mistakes

• Ignoring probability — 6s and 8s pay most often.
• Hoarding cards into a rolled 7.
• Refusing to trade — trading is the game.

Ready? Get original Catan here, add the 5–6 player extension for bigger families, and browse all family game night picks.