In the Palm of Your Hand (2020) Board Game

In the Palm of Your Hand is a party game designed by Timothée Decroix and published by La Boîte de Jeu in in 2020. It is a deduction game that involves communication limits and cooperation among players. The game has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and unique mechanics.

Game Components of In the Palm of Your Hand

100 Souvenir cards (80x120mm) depicting memories of a grandfather’s life

20 Constraint cards (41x63mm)

11 objects (shoelace, ring, metal coin, top, large wooden cube, pawn, dart, microfiber cloth, four small cubes, and male and female velcro pieces)

1 cloth bag

24 victory point tokens

1 rulebook.

How To Setup In the Palm of Your Hand

To set up the game, players split into teams of two, with each team receiving a hand of six cards. The active team chooses one player to be the Child and one to be the Grandfather. The Grandfather closes his eyes and places his palm parallel to the table. The Child draws a card secretly and uses the 11 objects to mime the memory on the Grandfather’s palm without touching his fingers or writing on the palm. Other teams add cards they think match the mime, and random cards are added until there are eight cards in total. These cards are then shuffled and given to the Grandfather to identify the correct memories in the correct order.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Mime: Using objects to convey memories through touch.

Deduction: Identifying the correct memories from mimed actions.

Teamplay: Collaboration between Child and Grandfather.

Game Objective:

The Child must successfully mime memories using the objects so the Grandfather can identify them.

The Grandfather must correctly choose the two mimed memories from a set of eight cards.

Teams score points for correctly identified memories and for distracting the Grandfather with incorrect cards.

Player Experience

Playing “In the Palm of Your Hand” is a highly interactive and creative experience that encourages players to think innovatively about how to convey complex memories through simple objects. The game is very tactile, with the Grandfather relying solely on touch to understand the mimed scenes. This leads to a unique blend of humor, challenge, and teamwork, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.

Pros

Creative Expression: Players must be inventive in how they use the objects to mime memories.

Tactile Experience: The game’s focus on touch adds a unique sensory element.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above, making it a great game for families.

Beautiful Illustrations: The 100 souvenir cards are beautifully illustrated, telling a compelling story of a grandfather’s life[5′.

Cons

Complexity in Communication: Conveying detailed memories through touch can be challenging.

Time Management: Taking too long to mime can overload the Grandfather, making it harder to remember details.

Dependence on Team Cooperation: Success relies heavily on the coordination between the Child and the Grandfather.

Personal Thoughts on In the Palm of Your Hand

“In the Palm of Your Hand” is ideal for families and groups looking for a game that promotes creativity, teamwork, and social interaction. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy games that are both fun and intellectually stimulating. The game’s unique mechanics and beautifully illustrated cards make it an engaging and memorable experience. However, it may not be the best fit for players who prefer more competitive or fast-paced games, as it requires patience and creative thinking.

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