There’s something deceptively simple about a game that fits in your pocket but still manages to hook you in for round after round. Sea,Salt & Paper is one of those rare gems; a small card game with a big splash. Designed by Bruno Cathala and Théo Rivière, this beautifully illustrated game blends set collection with a clever push-your-luck mechanism that keeps things tense, strategic, and surprisingly addictive.
What’s Sea, Salt and Paper all about?
In Sea, Salt & Paper, players collect cards to build sets. Think matching octopuses, pairs of crabs, boats, swimmers and so on, each offering different point values or in -game boosts. Some cards can be combined to trigger immediate effects, like drawing extra cards or stealing from an opponent, while others simply build up your score.
The game continues until someone ends the round, but here’s the twist: you can choose to stop the round early with a “Stop” call and score your points, or declare a dramatic “Last Chance”, betting that you’ve outscored your rivals and triggering a final reveal. Get it wrong, and your opponents might catch up or even surpass you.
It’s a classic risk-reward dilemma… and it makes for some tense, salty moments.
How does Sea, salt and Paper play?
Gameplay is quick and intuitive. On your turn, you draw cards from either the face-down deck or the face-up discard pile. You can only keep one card and must discard one at the end of your turn, which means, every decision has a consequence. Watching what your opponents are collecting becomes crucial, especially if you’re eyeing the same swimmer card or that elusive pair of crabs!
Scoring is done after each round, and you play until someone hits a set number of points (usually 30 or 40 depending on player count). Games take about 20–30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight gaming or as a warm-up to something heavier.
What’s the ideal player count?
While Sea, Salt & Paper supports 2 to 4 players, it really shines at 3 or 4. With more players, the card circulation becomes faster and the bluffing, blocking, and second-guessing gets even more delicious. That said, the two-player mode is surprisingly tight and tactical, almost like a duel of minds at sea.
Final thoughts
Sea, Salt & Paper is a delightful little card game that punches well above its weight. The art is charming and crafted using real origami, adding to the game’s whimsical appeal. But don’t let the aesthetics fool you. There’s depth here, especially once you get familiar with the deck and how to time your big plays.
It’s light enough to teach in five minutes, but strategic enough to keep you coming back. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just dipping your toes in, this one’s worth adding to your collection.
Enjoyed this review?
If Sea, Salt & Paper sounds like your kind of game, why not check out some of my other reviews or browse the [top small box games list – coming soon!]. Got a favourite sea-themed game of your own? Drop it in the comments below, I’m always up for discovering hidden treasures!
Happy gaming,
The Board Game Wagon
