You’ve heard friends rave about Catan. You’ve seen it on game store shelves. Maybe someone gifted you a copy that’s been sitting unopened. Now you’re wondering: how do you actually play Catan?
Don’t worry—I’ve taught this game to dozens of first-timers, and I promise it’s much simpler than it looks. Within 15 minutes, you’ll understand everything you need to start playing.
Quick Answer: What Is Catan?
Catan is a strategy board game where 3-4 players compete to build settlements, roads, and cities on an island made of hexagonal tiles. You collect resources (wood, brick, wheat, ore, sheep) based on dice rolls and use them to expand your territory. First player to reach 10 victory points wins.
A typical game takes 60-90 minutes, making it perfect for game nights. Since its release in 1995 by designer Klaus Teuber, Catan has sold over 32 million copies worldwide and effectively launched the modern board game hobby.
What’s in the Box?
Before diving into rules, let’s identify what you’re working with:
- 19 terrain hexes: These create the island—4 forest (wood), 4 pasture (sheep), 4 fields (wheat), 3 hills (brick), 3 mountains (ore), and 1 desert
- 6 sea frame pieces: Border pieces that hold the island together
- 18 number tokens: Circular tokens numbered 2-12 (except 7)
- 95 resource cards: 19 each of lumber, wool, grain, brick, and ore
- 25 development cards: Knights, victory points, and special abilities
- 4 building cost cards: Reference cards showing what resources you need
- 2 dice
- Pieces for each player (4 colors): 5 settlements, 4 cities, 15 roads
- Special cards: Longest Road and Largest Army
- The Robber: A gray pawn that blocks resources
Setting Up Your First Game
For your first game, I recommend using the beginner setup in the rulebook. Here’s how:
Step 1: Build the Island
Assemble the six sea frame pieces to create the border. Then place the 19 terrain hexes inside according to the beginner layout in your rulebook. The desert goes in the center.
Step 2: Place Number Tokens
Put the circular number tokens on each terrain hex (except the desert) following the beginner layout. These numbers determine when each hex produces resources.
Step 3: Set Up Resource Cards
Sort the resource cards into five face-up piles where everyone can reach them. Keep development cards in a face-down stack.
Step 4: Choose Colors and Place Starting Pieces
Each player selects a color and takes those pieces. Following the beginner setup, each player places:
- 2 settlements on intersections (corners where hexes meet)
- 2 roads extending from those settlements
Step 5: Collect Starting Resources
Each player receives one resource card for each hex touching their second settlement. Now you’re ready to play!
How a Turn Works
Catan turns follow a simple three-phase structure. In my experience, this is where new players finally go “Ohhh, that’s it?”
Phase 1: Roll the Dice
Roll both dice and add them together. Every hex with a matching number token produces resources for ALL players with settlements or cities touching that hex.
- Settlements earn 1 resource card
- Cities earn 2 resource cards
Example: You roll an 8. The forest hex numbered 8 produces. Anyone with a settlement touching that forest gets 1 wood card. Anyone with a city touching it gets 2 wood cards.
The Robber (Rolling a 7)
If you roll a 7:
- Anyone with more than 7 cards must discard half (rounded down)
- Move the robber to any hex (not the desert)
- Steal 1 random card from any player with a settlement/city on that hex
The robber stays on that hex, blocking it from producing until moved again.
Phase 2: Trade
This is where Catan comes alive! You can:
Trade with other players: Negotiate any deal you want. “I’ll give you 2 wheat for 1 ore.” Players can counter-offer, refuse, or accept. Only the current player can initiate trades.
Trade with the bank: Exchange 4 identical resources for any 1 resource. Expensive, but useful when no one will trade.
Use harbors: If your settlement sits on a harbor (marked on coastal edges), you get better rates—either 3:1 for any resource or 2:1 for a specific resource.
Phase 3: Build
Spend resources to expand your empire. Your building costs card shows what each item requires:
| Building | Cost | Victory Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road | 1 brick + 1 wood | 0 | Must connect to your network |
| Settlement | 1 brick + 1 wood + 1 wheat + 1 sheep | 1 | Must be 2+ roads from any settlement |
| City | 2 wheat + 3 ore | 2 | Replaces existing settlement |
| Development Card | 1 wheat + 1 sheep + 1 ore | Varies | Draw from deck, keep secret |
Important rule: Settlements must be at least 2 road segments apart from any other settlement (yours or opponents’). This is called the “distance rule” and it matters a lot.
Understanding Development Cards
Development cards add strategic depth. There are three types:
- Knight (14 in deck): Move the robber and steal a card. Collect 3 knights to claim “Largest Army” for 2 victory points.
- Victory Point (5 in deck): Hidden points. Reveal only when you win.
- Progress Cards (6 in deck): Special one-time abilities like building free roads or monopolizing a resource.
Key rule: You can’t play a development card the same turn you buy it. Plan ahead!
How to Win: Reaching 10 Victory Points
First player to reach 10 victory points on their turn wins. Here’s where points come from:
- Settlement: 1 point each
- City: 2 points each
- Longest Road (5+ connected roads, more than anyone else): 2 points
- Largest Army (3+ knights played, more than anyone else): 2 points
- Victory Point development cards: 1 point each
Example winning combination: 3 settlements (3 pts) + 2 cities (4 pts) + Longest Road (2 pts) + 1 hidden VP card (1 pt) = 10 points!
Common Mistakes New Players Make
After teaching Catan countless times, here’s what trips people up:
1. Forgetting Everyone Collects Resources
When you roll, check if YOUR hexes match too! I’ve seen players focus only on their opponents’ production and miss their own resources.
2. Ignoring the Distance Rule
You cannot place a settlement adjacent to any other settlement—even your own. Always count: there must be at least one empty intersection between settlements.
3. Hoarding Resources
Keeping more than 7 cards is risky. Every 7 rolled costs you half your hand. Trade, build, or keep a lean hand.
4. Building Roads Without Purpose
Every road should either reach a good settlement spot or push toward Longest Road. Aimless roads waste resources.
5. Neglecting Ore and Wheat
New players often prioritize wood and brick (for roads). But cities require ore and wheat—and cities double your production. Balance matters.
What I Wish I’d Known: Practical Tips
After years of playing, here’s advice that actually helps:
- Look at the number dots: Tokens with more dots under them roll more often. 6 and 8 are most common (5 dots each), while 2 and 12 are rare (1 dot).
- Diversify your numbers: Don’t put all your settlements on 6s and 8s. Spread across different numbers to collect resources more consistently.
- Trade actively: The player who trades most usually wins. Even “bad” trades that advance your position are worth it.
- Watch what others need: If someone keeps asking for ore, don’t give them cheap ore unless you get real value back.
- Plan your second settlement carefully: It determines your starting resources AND your early expansion options.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might want to check out our best strategy board games guide for more games like Catan.
Number Probability: The Math Behind the Dice
Understanding probability helps you place settlements wisely:
| Number | Ways to Roll | Probability | Dots on Token |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 2.8% | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | 5.6% | 2 |
| 4 | 3 | 8.3% | 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 11.1% | 4 |
| 6 | 5 | 13.9% | 5 |
| 7 | 6 | 16.7% | N/A (Robber) |
| 8 | 5 | 13.9% | 5 |
| 9 | 4 | 11.1% | 4 |
| 10 | 3 | 8.3% | 3 |
| 11 | 2 | 5.6% | 2 |
| 12 | 1 | 2.8% | 1 |
A 7 will be rolled roughly once every 6 turns. Plan accordingly!
Ready for Your First Game?
You now know everything needed to play Catan. Here’s a quick checklist for your first game:
- Use the beginner setup from the rulebook
- Keep building cost cards visible for reference
- Remember: roll → trade → build
- Watch for 7s and manage your hand size
- Trade actively and have fun!
Catan rewards players who adapt to the board, trade shrewdly, and balance short-term needs with long-term strategy. Your first game might feel overwhelming, but by game two or three, you’ll wonder why you waited so long to learn.
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, explore board game storage solutions to keep your growing collection organized—because trust me, Catan is just the beginning of your board gaming journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play Catan with 2 players?
The base game is designed for 3-4 players. Two-player games exist but change the dynamics significantly. For the best experience, stick to 3-4 players or buy the 5-6 player expansion for larger groups.
How long does a game of Catan take?
Expect 60-90 minutes for experienced players. First games take longer—often 2 hours—while everyone learns. Games speed up dramatically after a few plays.
What’s the best first settlement placement?
Look for intersections touching high-probability numbers (6, 8, 5, 9) and diverse resources. Having access to all five resources between your two starting settlements is ideal.
Do you have to trade if someone offers?
No. Trading is completely voluntary. You can refuse any offer for any reason—or no reason at all.
Can you move the robber back to the desert?
Yes! When rolling a 7 or playing a knight, you can move the robber anywhere except where it currently sits—including back to the desert.
