How To Play: Wonderland

Overview

If you want to rule Wonderland and make your friends cry (with laughter or defeat), you’ve come to the right place. I’ve wrangled my pals, spilled some snacks, and figured out How To Play wonderland. This guide has a quick game rules outline and all the top strategies you need to win. Trust me, my friends now fear the tea party when I show up.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 5 Character miniatures
• 60 Card deck
• 30 Wonderland tokens
• 15 Victory point tokens
• 1 Rulebook
• 5 Player reference cards
• 1 First player marker

How To Play Wonderland: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the Wonderland deck very well. Seriously, a good shuffle stops your friend Jenny from crying ‘rigged!’ later.
2. Deal 5 cards to each player. Don’t peek at anyone else’s cards! (I’m looking at you, Dave.)
3. Place the rest of the deck face down in the middle, making a draw pile.
4. Leave space for each player’s “play area” because things get wild.

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw one card from the draw pile.
2. Play one card from your hand. Check the card—for some, you put it in your play area, others let you mess with opponents. (Yes, it’s encouraged.)
3. Follow the card’s instructions. Some cards start chain reactions, so read carefully and pray for mercy.
4. If you can’t play a card, discard one instead. Yes, it’s sad. Move on.
5. Play continues clockwise. No skipping Gran just because she takes a while.

Winning

1. The first player to collect a full Wonderland set (that’s one of each character) in their play area wins.
2. If the draw pile runs out, count sets. The one with most unique characters wins. Unless there’s a tie, in which case you argue for ten minutes.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Some cards have special abilities. Always do what they say, even if it says ‘pretend to be a tea pot.’
2. If a player shouts ‘OFF WITH THEIR HEAD!’ you must discard your highest card. Believe me, it stings.
3. You cannot have duplicates of the same character in your play area. This isn’t Wonderland twins!
4. If you get stuck with no cards, draw two on your next turn to get back in the chaos.

So that’s How To Play wonderland, and trust me, after one round, even your grumpy uncle will get hooked. Just remember—the only thing curiouser than the rules is your friends’ sneaky tactics!

Best Wonderland Strategies

Mastering Card Combos: The Secret Sauce in Wonderland

Stack for Surprise

1. Chain high-value cards with action cards for a burst move.
2. Play low cards early, then surprise with combos later.

React to Opponents

1. Watch what others play. Save your combo disruptors for the right moment.
2. Mimic successful combos you see around the table, but add your twist.

Maximize Wonderland Specials

1. Use Wonderland cards to double or triple your combo points—timing matters.
2. Always ask yourself: can I build a bigger combo with my next draw?

Playing with my friends, I learned that the best How To Play wonderland tip is combo patience. Wait for your golden moment—then watch jaws drop.

Get the Upper Hand: Table Positioning Tricks for Wonderland

Why Table Position Matters

At my game night, I noticed table spot can make or break a round. If you ignore this, you’re leaving points on the table—literally. Here’s how to play wonderland and win with smart seating.

Position for Power Plays

1. Pick a spot with full view so you can watch everyone’s tells.
2. Sit next to the slowest player; you get time to plan your move.
3. Avoid the dealer seat, if possible. That spot’s cursed. Trust me.

Read the Action Around You

After a few rounds, I always adjust my seat to block the aggressive players. This stops them from ruining my strategies. Always watch for who looks at your cards too much!

Become a Mind Reader: Outsmart Your Opponents in Wonderland

Study Their Patterns

First, I always watch what cards my friends throw down. Soon, you’ll notice habits. Here’s what to look for:

1. Spot repeated moves—if Sue always plays the Queen when cornered, you’ll see it coming next time.
2. Check for delays before big cards—hesitation means something sneaky.

Bluff Like a Pro

Secondly, bluffing works both ways. Catch when friends are overly dramatic or silent. Usually, one of these means trouble.

1. Laughing at the wrong time? They probably have a killer hand.
2. Sudden quietness? I brace for a surprise combo.

Use Table Talk

Finally, learn from the chatter. My group loves to trash talk. I listen for clues and then plan my moves. Every round gives more info, so keep those ears open when you play Wonderland!

Become the Mad Hatter of Wonderland!

So there you have it, my not-so-secret bag of tricks for ruling the table in Wonderland. I’ve lost count of how many cups of tea I’ve spilled during intense games with my friends, but after all the laughter, side-eyes, and questionable strategy choices, I can tell you this: practice makes perfect (and sometimes perfectly chaotic).

Keep your eyes on those wild card combos, watch what your neighbors are plotting, and don’t forget—the rules of “How To Play wonderland” might look simple, but there’s more madness under the surface. If you outfox your opponents and keep your cool, you’ll be the one grinning like the Cheshire Cat at the end. Good luck down the rabbit hole!

Want to know what we think of Wonderland? Read our detailed review of Wonderland here