Dutch/French Seven Dragons: Rules, Setup and Language Notes
By Looney Labs - Shop | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to play the Dutch/French Seven Dragons edition, from setup and turn order to reading the text-free action symbols. Includes bilingual language notes.
Quick answer
Play the Dutch/French Seven Dragons exactly like the English edition: the cards are text-free and use symbols for actions, so you can set up and play without reading either language. The only language-dependent part is the rulebook, which is printed in both Dutch and French.
What makes this edition bilingual
This is the Belgian version of Seven Dragons, licensed by Amigo Spiel in partnership with Asmodee. The rulebook includes instructions in Dutch and French, but the cards themselves are almost identical to the English edition except that the action cards use symbols instead of words. That means once you know the symbols, you can play with Dutch, French, or English speakers using the same deck.
When the symbols still need a quick check
Because the cards are text-free, the main learning curve is matching each action symbol to its effect. If you are already familiar with Seven Dragons, you can likely play immediately. If you are new, keep the rulebook open to the symbol key for the first few turns. The Dutch and French instructions both explain the same actions, so you can use whichever language you read more comfortably.
Setup and play steps
- Separate the dragon cards: Find the seven dragon cards and place them face up in a row where everyone can reach them. These are the goals you are trying to connect. Check that all seven dragons are present before dealing; a missing dragon changes the game.
- Shuffle and deal: Shuffle the remaining deck and deal five cards to each player. Place the rest as a draw pile and turn one card face up to start the discard pile. If the first face-up card is an action card, flip another card on top so the starting card is a dragon.
- Review the action symbols: Before the first turn, point to each action symbol on your hand cards and read its effect from the rulebook. The Dutch and French instructions both list the same symbols. Agree on how you will announce actions so no one has to read text on the cards.
- Take turns in order: On your turn, play one card from your hand onto the table, then draw one card from the draw pile. You may play a dragon card to extend a row or an action card to change the board. Draw after playing, not before, unless the rulebook says otherwise for a specific action.
- Connect your dragon: The goal is to create a line of five cards in your dragon's color. You can add to any row, and action cards can move, swap, or remove cards to help your color. Watch for opponents who are one card away from five in a row; use an action to block them.
- Use the symbol key for disputed actions: If a symbol's effect is unclear, pause and check the rulebook's symbol key in either Dutch or French. Both languages describe the same action, so use the one you understand best. Keep the rulebook visible for the whole first game; most symbol questions come up in the first few turns.
Product facts
- Dutch/French Seven Dragons: The Belgian edition includes instructions in both Dutch and French, and the action cards use symbols instead of text. You can play with Dutch- or French-speaking friends, and the symbol-only cards remove any reading barrier during play.
Dutch/French Seven Dragons
