TimelineRules, editions & buying guide

What Timeline is

Timeline is a fast card game about putting things in order. Each card shows an invention, event or discovery with the same picture on both sides, but the date is printed on only one side. On your turn you place a card from your hand into a shared row of cards, earlier or later than what's already there, then flip it to see if you were right. The first player to empty their hand wins.

The clever part is that you never have to name a year. You only have to judge whether the telephone came before or after the light bulb. Every correct card adds another reference point, so the game gets harder as the timeline fills up.

Timeline was designed by Frédéric Henry. It was first published by Hazgaard Editions with Asmodee distributing it in the US, and it's now made by Zygomatic, an Asmodee studio in Paris.

What's in the box

Most classic Timeline sets contain about 110 cards. Card counts vary by edition and printing: some Inventions printings have 109 or 55 cards, and the newer Games & Leisure set has 96. Older sets came in a small tin; newer ones come in an "eco blister" pack or a box. Each card shows the same title and artwork on both sides, with the date on only one.

Classic sets are for 2 to 8 players aged 8 and up. Some newer Zygomatic sets are listed for 2 to 6 players.

How to play Timeline

1. Deal. Shuffle and deal each player a hand of cards, date side down. Never look at the date side of your own cards.
2. Start the timeline. Turn the top card of the draw pile date side up in the middle of the table.
3. Take turns. The youngest player goes first, then play continues clockwise.
4. Place a card. On your turn, put one card to the left of the timeline (earlier), to the right (later), or between two cards already there.
5. Reveal. Flip it to show the date. If it's in the right place, it stays. If it's wrong, it goes back in the box and you draw a penalty card from the draw pile.
6. Finish the round. A round ends only after everyone has had a turn. You check for empty hands at the end of the round.
7. Win. If only one player emptied their hand that round, they win. If several did, everyone else is eliminated, each remaining player draws one card, and play continues until only one player goes out.

How many cards to deal

Sources disagree. The Asmodee rulebook text deals 4 cards to each player, while other rule summaries scale the deal: 6 cards for 2 to 3 players, 5 for 4 to 5 players and 4 for 6 to 8 players. Both versions say players can agree on a different number, so pick one before you start.

The rules people argue about

What if two cards have the same year?

A card with the same year as one already on the table must go right next to it, and either order counts as correct.

What if two players run out of cards in the same round?

Both stay in and everyone else is out. Each survivor draws one card, and play continues until a single player empties their hand.

Does the game end the moment someone runs out?

No. The round finishes first, so players after you still get a turn and can tie you.

Can you mix different Timeline sets?

Yes. Every edition is designed to combine with any other title in the series. Mixed sets add variety, but the cards share the same size and style, so they're hard to separate again.

How to win more often

• Play your surest cards early. Each correct card adds more slots to the timeline, so placements get harder as the game goes on.
• Use revealed dates as anchors. Every flipped card is a clue for the cards still in your hand.
• Accuracy beats speed. A wrong card costs you a net extra card, because you lose the card you played and draw a penalty.
• Remember the round finishes. Going out first isn't a guaranteed win; anyone after you can tie and force a playoff.
• Pick a wider set for beginners. Sets that span thousands of years are easier than ones with a narrow date range.

Which edition should you buy?

• Timeline: Events: historical events, about 110 cards. A great first set for history fans. Check price
• Timeline: Inventions: inventions through history. Check price
• Timeline: Discoveries (also sold as Science & Discoveries): scientific breakthroughs.
• Timeline: Music & Cinema: songs, films and pop culture.
• Timeline: Americana and American History: US history, sports, music and film.
• Timeline: Star Wars: events from the Star Wars saga.
• Timeline: Classic and Games & Leisure: newer Zygomatic sets.
• Timeline Twist: a cooperative version for 2 to 6 players.

Not sure which to choose? Start with Events or Inventions; you can add more sets later and mix them in.

Alternatives worth considering

• Hitster: the same "earlier or later" idea, but with songs played from a phone app.
• Chronology: each player builds their own timeline in a tray; first to 5 correct cards wins. See our history board games guide. Check price
• Trivial Pursuit: the classic if your group wants full trivia questions.

More board game guides

Prefer to play right now, for free? Play Guess the Year free online or browse all our free trivia games.