Nain Jaune

Nain Jaune
A Nain Jaune board. The classic French game is named after the 7 depicted as a yellow dwarf in the centre.
OriginFrance
Alternative nameYellow Dwarf
Release datec. 1760
TypeShedding game
FamilyStops group
Players3–8
Skillscombinations, chance
Age range5+
Cards52
DeckFrench
Rank (high→low)K Q J 10 – 1
PlayAnticlockwise
Playing time30 min
Related games
Poch • Pope Joan

The game of Nain Jaune or Yellow Dwarf (French: Le jeu du nain jaune, pronounced [nɛ̃ ʒon]), also formerly called Lindor,[a] is an "attractive and unique traditional French card game" using a board comprising five compartments or boxes. It is a reasoned game of chance because it combines the hazards of card distribution with the strategy of building suits. Nain Jaune, which is considered a classic French game,[1] is named after the seven of diamonds, which is depicted as a yellow dwarf (French: nain jaune) in the centre of the game board.[2][3]

Nain Jaune first emerged in the mid-eighteenth century as one of the hocs group of games and is still a popular French family game today. The original rules were more challenging and the game could only be played by three or five players. By contrast, the modern rules are simple, the number of players is variable (3 to 8 players) and the game is suitable for old and young alike. It has been described as a "family game par excellence."[4]


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  1. ^ Comment jouer au Nain jaune. Traduit de l'anglais (2017)
  2. ^ L'AVANTCOUREUR, lundi 27 octobre 1760 (n° 41) at https://salondesjeux.fr/nain_jaune.htm.
  3. ^ "Histoire véridique du jeu du « Nain jaune »" ("The True Story of the Game of "Nain Jaune") by Theimer, François (2006) in l'Escale à Jeux. Retrieved 30 Jun 2019.
  4. ^ Règle du Nain Jaune at www.regles-de-jeux.com. Retrieved 30 Jun 2019