Last Updated on January 7, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

Love Letter is a strategic card game built around deduction, bluffing, and careful timing. Set in the city-state of Tempest, the game takes place in the wake of the arrest of Queen Marianna for high treason. With the royal residence closed and Princess Annette secluded within the palace, hopeful suitors must rely on trusted allies to deliver their letter of intent.

Each player represents one of these suitors, maneuvering through court politics, honesty, and deception to ensure their player’s letter reaches the Princess first. Across a series of rounds, players use character cards representing members of the royal family, loyal servants, and influential figures to eliminate rivals and protect themselves. The player who earns enough Tokens of Affection becomes the Princess’s ideal partner and wins the game of Love Letter.

Ages: 10+ | Number of Players: 2-6 | 20 Minute Playtime

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How to Play Love Letter

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Object of the Game

The goal of Love Letter is to be the suitor whose letter reaches Princess Annette most often. You do this by winning rounds and collecting Tokens of Affection. Each round represents a single day at court, and the game continues until one player has collected enough tokens based on the number of players.

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Number of Players

• 2 to 4 players (standard game)
• 5 to 8 players (expanded game using additional cards)

Love Letter works exceptionally well as a two-player game, but it truly shines with three or four players, where deduction and mind games become more layered.

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Components

A standard Love Letter set includes:

• 32 character cards (only 16 used in 2–4 player games)
• 8 reference cards (used as a memory aid)
• 25 Tokens of Affection
• 1 Jester token
• Card sleeves
• Rulebook

Each card features detailed graphic design and letter design inspired by the city-state of Tempest. At the bottom of each card, you’ll find the card’s effect, while the number in the corner shows how close that character is to the Princess.

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The Character Cards

Each card represents a different royal family member, ally, or court figure. Higher-value cards indicate closer proximity to Princess Annette.

Examples include:

• Guard – A loyal servant protecting the security of the royal family
• Priest – A quiet observer who peers into another player’s hand
• Baron – Forces a comparison of hands
• Handmaid – A self-conscious protector granting immunity
• Prince – Forces a player to discard their hand
• King – Trades hands, creating powerful mind games
• Countess – A symbol of diligence and persistence
• Princess – Princess Annette herself, whose arrest ends your round instantly

The effects of each individual card are summarized on the reference card and explained in detail in the rulebook.

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Setup (2–4 Players)

1. Select the 16 cards used for the standard game:
   • Princess
   • Countess
   • King
   • 2 Princes
   • 2 Handmaids
   • 2 Barons
   • 2 Priests
   • 5 Guards
2. Shuffle these cards to form a face-down draw deck.
3. Remove the top card of the deck and place it aside as a secret card.
4. In a two-player game, place three additional cards face up next to the deck. These are not used but are visible to both players.
5. Each player draws one card to form their player’s hand.
6. The winner of the previous round goes first. If it’s the first round, the youngest player or the most recent date-breaker starts.

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Love Letter Gameplay

Love Letter is played over a series of rounds. Each round continues until only one player remains or the deck runs out.

Taking a Turn

On your turn:

1. Draw the top card of the deck.
2. Choose one of the two cards in your hand and discard it face up in front of you.
3. Immediately resolve the card’s effect.
4. Your turn ends, and play moves clockwise to the next player.

Discarded cards remain in front of the player so others can track what has been played. This visibility is essential for deduction and predicting opponents’ hands.

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Being Knocked Out

If a card effect removes you from the round:

• Discard your remaining card face up
• Do not apply its effect
• You take no further actions until the new round begins

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End of a Round

A round ends in one of two ways:

1. Only one player remains – That player immediately wins the round.
2. The deck is empty at the end of a player’s turn – All remaining players reveal their hands.

The player holding the highest-value card wins. In case of a tie, compare the total value of discarded cards. If there is still a tie, all tied players win the round.

At the end of each round, the winner receives a Token of Affection.

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Tokens of Affection and Winning the Game

The number of tokens required to win depends on the number of players:

• 2 players: 7 tokens
• 3 players: 5 tokens
• 4 players: 4 tokens
• 5–8 players: 4 tokens

Once a player collects enough tokens, they become the undisputed ruler of Tempest’s romantic court and win the game.

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Special Rules and Honesty

Love Letter relies heavily on honesty. Players must correctly apply card effects and follow special cases, such as:

• Discarding the Countess when holding a King or Prince
• Truthfully responding to the Guard
• Respecting protection from the Handmaid

Cheating undermines the balance of the game and ruins the experience.

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Setup and Play (5–8 Players)

For larger groups:

• Use all 32 game cards
• Shuffle and remove one secret card
• Each player draws one card
• When a card requires naming a number, all cards with that number are affected

Because of the expanded effects, players can sometimes gain favor tokens without winning a round.

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FAQ – Love Letter Rules

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Strategy Tips

• Track discarded cards to predict opponents’ hands
• Use lower-value cards early to avoid forced discards later
• Protect yourself with the Handmaid before playing high-risk moves
• Don’t rush to hold the highest-value card—timing matters
• In larger games, expect more chaos and shifting alliances

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About the People

Each character card represents someone at the royal residence. Higher values mean closer access to Princess Annette. Most cards take effect when discarded.

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Characters (2–4 Players)

8 – Princess Annette
If you discard the Princess for any reason, you are immediately knocked out of the round. Other card effects do not resolve after this.

7 – Countess Wilhelmina
If you ever have the Countess and the King or Prince in hand, you must discard the Countess.

6 – King Arnaud IV
When discarded, swap hands with another player still in the round.

5 – Prince Arnaud
Choose a player (including yourself). That player discards their hand and draws a new card.

4 – Handmaid Susannah
You are immune to other players’ card effects until your next turn.

3 – Baron Talus
Secretly compare hands with another player. Lower value is knocked out. Ties do nothing.

2 – Priest Tomas
Look at another player’s hand in secret.

1 – Guard Odette
Name a player and a number (not 1). If correct, that player is knocked out.

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Additional Characters (5–8 Players)

9 – Bishop Vinizio
Name a player and number. If correct, gain a Token of Affection. Counts as 9, but loses to the Princess at round end.

7 – Dowager Queen Tummia
Secretly compare hands. Higher value is knocked out.

6 – Constable Viktor
If you are knocked out with this card in your discard pile, gain a Token of Affection.

5 – Count Guntram
At round end, increase your hand’s value by +1 when determining the winner (stacks).

4 – Sycophant Morris
Choose a player. The next targeting effect must include that player if possible.

3 – Baroness Fiona
Look at the hand of one or two players in secret.

2 – Cardinal Vesper
Choose exactly two players to swap hands, then look at one of them.

1 – Guard Dougaul
Same effect as Guard Odette.

0 – Jester Darius
Choose a player. If they win the round, you gain a Token of Affection.

0 – Assassin
While in your hand, if targeted by a Guard, reveal this card to eliminate the Guard instead. Then discard and draw a new card.

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Conclusion

Love Letter proves that a game doesn’t need a large board or complex setup to deliver deep strategy and memorable moments. With only a handful of cards, the game creates intense psychological play, clever bluffing, and constant interaction between suitors vying for Princess Annette’s favor.

Whether you’re navigating court intrigue as a loyal servant, a close ally of the royal family, or a scion of an esteemed house, Love Letter offers a refined, fast-paced experience that rewards observation, timing, and subtlety. It’s no surprise that this elegant game remains a favorite among casual players and seasoned strategists alike.

If you enjoy games driven by deduction, social play, and hidden information, Love Letter deserves a permanent place on your table.