Abalone
French sumo-on-a-board — push your opponent's marbles off the hexagonal grid.
🌤indoor
What is Abalone?
Abalone is a modern two-player abstract strategy game invented in France in 1987. Each player starts with 14 marbles arranged in a triangular formation at opposite ends of a hexagonal board. Players push adjacent lines of one to three of their own marbles, and can push an opposing line if they outnumber it. Push six of your opponent's marbles off the board to win. Over 4.5 million sets have been sold worldwide.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇫🇷 France
Estimated origin
1987, Michel Lalet & Laurent Lévi (France)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified