Closed Drafting Mechanic in Board Games
Closed drafting is a game mechanic often used in board games that involves players selecting cards or game elements from a private hand or pool before passing the remainder to the next player. Unlike open drafting, where all choices are visible to everyone, closed drafting keeps each player's choices secret until the draft is complete.
How Closed Drafting Works
- Players start with a set of game elements, typically cards.
- Each player selects one card and keeps it secret (often placed face-down).
- The remaining cards are passed to the next player.
- This process repeats until all cards have been selected.
Strategic Implications
- Players must anticipate the needs and potential choices of opponents.
- There's an element of surprise, as final selections are revealed only after the round ends.
- Closed drafting requires memory and prediction skills, as players try to remember what was passed and infer what others are collecting.
Game Examples
- 7 Wonders: Players build ancient civilizations using cards drafted in this manner.
- Sushi Go!: A lighter example where players pick sushi dishes to form high-scoring combinations.
Card Game with Closed Drafting

Over the course of multiple rounds, players will draft heroes and weapons and use them to defeat monsters and complete quests in an effort to earn the most victory points. Like with any good drafting game the choice between helping yourself or hindering...
Dungeon Draft
$30.00
$25.60

The Great Split is a drafting game for 2-7 players where you build a prestigious collection of riches by trading cards with the other players in simultaneous drafting rounds. You start each round by splitting your cards into two groups. Then, you pass...
The Great Split
$44.99
$28.99
Strategy Game with Closed Drafting
Closed Drafting games designed by Théo Rivière
Closed Drafting games published by Schwerkraft-Verlag
Closed Drafting games published by Arclight Games
Closed Drafting and Set Collection games
Fighting themed games with Closed Drafting
Closed Drafting games published by uplay.it edizioni
Mystery / Crime themed games with Closed Drafting
Closed Drafting and End Game Bonuses games
Closed Drafting and Hidden Roles games

The King is dead; long live the Queen! Or vice versa, really, as in the intriguing game Brutal Kingdom it's hard to tell what everyone is up to and who will have the greatest impact until it all ends. Yes, the bishop's poison has been touched, but has...
Brutal Kingdom
$8.50
$7.50

In Night of the Ninja, your mission is to defeat a rival ninja house. . . if you can figure out who they are!Designed by Justin Gary (Ascension, Shards of Infinity), this is a social deduction game of espionage ,trickery, and assassination. Every card...
Night of the Ninja
$30.00
$17.99
Closed Drafting and Track Movement games
Solo / Solitaire Game with Closed Drafting
Ancient Civilization themed games with Closed Drafting
Closed Drafting and Area Majority / Influence games

Clans of Midgard is a draft, write and fight game in which players lead Viking clans to battle in search of glory! Conquer territory, fight monsters, set sail in Drakkar, collect powerful runes and honor your fallen warriors to forever remembered as...
Champions of Midgard: Clans of Midgard (Deluxe Edition)
$35.00

Total Domination is a sweeping and innovative strategic card-driven area-control game for 1 to 4 players simulating World War II. Recreate history, or make your own and unique way to victory as either the Allies or the Axis. Win through tense combat...
Total Domination
$49.95
$24.00
Closed Drafting games published by Gen-X Games
Closed Drafting and Hexagon Grid games
Industry / Manufacturing themed games with Closed Drafting

In Reiner Knizia's Mille Fiori (meaning Thousand Flowers), you take the role of glass manufacturers and traders who want to profit as much as they can from their role in the production of fine glass art.The game board features different aspects of the...
Mille Fiori
$45.95

Recruit the help of the authorities, gain influence through their advice, and exhibit your masterpieces! This expansion to Mille Fiori adds a new board and together, adorning master works. Perfect the art of glassmaking and create the most coveted pieces...
Mille Fiori: Masterpieces Expansion
$29.99
$23.99