Jaipur
MASTERPIECE 2-PLAYER CARD-BASED TRADING GAME by SÉBASTIEN PAUCHON + GAMEWORKS/ASMODEE (Switzerland, 2009). 2 players compete as MERCHANTS in Jaipur trying to become Maharaja's official trader by selling GOODS (Diamonds, Gold, Silver, Cloth, Spice, Leather, Camels). Draft cards from Market, sell for POINTS + BONUS TOKENS. Best-of-3 rounds. Fast 30-min games; perfect couples game + travel game. Considered THE BEST 2-PLAYER CARD GAME. Sold 1.5M+ copies. Digital app award-winning.
What is Jaipur?
JAIPUR is a MASTERPIECE 2-PLAYER CARD-BASED TRADING GAME designed by SÉBASTIEN PAUCHON + published by GAMEWORKS (Switzerland, 2009; later distributed by ASMODEE). 2 PLAYERS compete as MERCHANTS in JAIPUR (INDIA) trying to become the MAHARAJA's OFFICIAL TRADER. Setting: 17th-century Rajasthan trading bazaar. GOODS: DIAMONDS (best), GOLD, SILVER, CLOTH, SPICE, LEATHER (worst), and CAMELS (herd currency). GAMEPLAY: MARKET of 5 face-up cards; each turn choose 1 of: (1) TAKE 1 GOOD from market (draw replacement immediately); (2) TAKE MULTIPLE GOODS (exchange hand cards + camels for equal number of Market cards); (3) TAKE ALL CAMELS from Market (add to Camel Herd — separate zone; camels are hand-limit-free); (4) SELL GOODS (all of one type; get GOLD chips = points, decreasing value; if selling 3+ get BONUS TOKENS). Each type has diminishing token values (early Diamonds worth more than late Diamonds). BONUS TOKENS for 3-card, 4-card, 5-card sales. HAND LIMIT = 7 cards (Camels don't count). Round ends when 3 goods stacks empty. Highest points wins round; player at MOST CAMELS at round end gets CAMEL BONUS (5 points). BEST-OF-3 ROUNDS wins game (called SEAL OF EXCELLENCE). Fast 30-min games; perfect couples game + travel game. Considered THE BEST 2-PLAYER CARD GAME. Sold 1.5M+ copies. DIGITAL APP (iOS/Android/Steam by Asmodee Digital) AWARD-WINNING + faithful adaptation.
Quick facts
Category
Card Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
Small tabletop
Country of origin
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Estimated origin
2009 original; 2020 App Award-winning digital version
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Win 2 of 3 rounds; each round earn most points via strategic trading of goods.
Rules
Basic rules
5 cards face-up in Market
Central pool.
Take 1 good, take multiple (exchange), take all camels, or sell
4 turn options.
Sell goods for gold chips (decreasing value per goods type)
Early sales worth more.
Sell 3+ for bonus tokens
Bulk sales rewarded.
Hand limit 7 (excluding camels)
Manage cards.
Round ends when 3 good stacks empty; camel bonus 5 pts if you have most
Race + tempo.
Scoring
Gold chip points per round; best-of-3 rounds.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Sell Diamonds (7,7,5,5,5) | First sales worth more |
| Sell Gold (6,6,5,5,5) | |
| Sell Silver (5,5,5,5,5) | |
| Sell Cloth (5,3,3,2,2,1,1) | |
| Sell Spice (5,3,3,2,2,1,1) | |
| Sell Leather (4,3,2,1,1,1,1,1,1) | |
| 3/4/5+ good bonus (3=1-3pts, 4=4-6pts, 5+=8-10pts) | Bulk sale bonus |
| Most Camels at round end | +5 point Camel Bonus |
Win condition · Win 2 of 3 rounds (Seal of Excellence).
Playing area
Called
Small tabletop
Dimensions
Small tabletop or coffee table
Home tabletop; portable + travel-friendly.
Equipment
Jaipur ($20 USD)
Base game; all-in-one
Jaipur digital app ($5-10)
iOS/Android/Steam by Asmodee Digital
Strategies
Sell 3+ cards for bonus tokens
Bulk sales are efficient.
Camels: take all for +5 end bonus + hand freedom
Central mechanic.
Sell high-value goods early (Diamonds, Gold, Silver)
Early sales worth more.
Deny opponent by taking cards they need
Interactive drafting.
Timing: end round when you're ahead
Race conditions.
Terminology
- Market
- 5 face-up cards to trade.
- Good
- Diamond/Gold/Silver/Cloth/Spice/Leather (6 types).
- Camel
- Herd currency; hand-limit-free.
- Bonus Token
- Bulk sale reward (3/4/5+ goods).
- Seal of Excellence
- Best-of-3 rounds match win.
- Diminishing goods
- Later sales worth fewer points.
- Hand limit (7 excl camels)
- Card cap for goods.
Major competitions
Casual + family; no formal competitions
N/A · worldwide · since 2009
Deutscher Spiele Preis 2010 nomination
annual · Germany · since 2010
Where it is played
Governing bodies
GameWorks (publisher)
Founded 2001 · Zurich, Switzerland
Asmodee (distributor)
Founded 1995 · Paris, France
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Sébastien Pauchon (CH) — Designer
- Alexandre Roche (FR) — Illustrator
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy Jaipur ($20)
Small box; complete game.
intermediate
- 1
Try Jaipur digital app for solo/AI practice
Well-designed adaptation.
advanced
- 1
Best-of-3 tournaments with friends
Casual competitive.
Frequently asked
What is Jaipur?+
MASTERPIECE 2-PLAYER CARD-BASED TRADING GAME by SÉBASTIEN PAUCHON + GAMEWORKS/ASMODEE (Switzerland, 2009). 2 players compete as MERCHANTS in Jaipur trying to become Maharaja's official trader by selling GOODS (Diamonds, Gold, Silver, Cloth, Spice, Leather, Camels). Draft cards from Market, sell for POINTS + BONUS TOKENS. Best-of-3 rounds. Fast 30-min games; perfect couples game + travel game. Considered THE BEST 2-PLAYER CARD GAME. Sold 1.5M+ copies. Digital app award-winning.
Jaipur vs 7 Wonders Duel — which 2-player game?+
BOTH EXCELLENT 2-PLAYER GAMES. JAIPUR ($20, 2009): trading/drafting, 30 min, best-of-3 rounds, casual + accessible + travel-friendly. 7 WONDERS DUEL ($35, 2015): civilization card draft, 30 min, single game, deeper + more strategic. RECOMMENDATION: JAIPUR for lighter/relaxing 2-player time; 7 WONDERS DUEL for deeper strategic 2-player experience. Both are top-tier 2-player. Jaipur is more portable + travel-friendly; 7 Wonders Duel has more strategic weight.
Sources & provenance
- GameWorks — Jaipur— GameWorks
- Wikipedia — Jaipur— Wikipedia