Looking to add a splash of colour to your game night? Hues and Cues is the perfect blend of creativity, strategy, and fun.
This vibrant party game challenges players to describe and guess specific hues on a vast colour grid, making it a delightful choice for groups of all sizes.
What is the Hues and Cues board game?
Hues and Cues is a colour-based guessing game where players give and guess clues to identify specific hues on a large colour grid.
The game features a 30 x 16 grid with 480 colours, each identified by coordinates, creating a spectrum of hues from reds to purples and everything in between.
The objective is simple: as the clue giver, describe a colour using a single word, and as a guesser, place your marker on the hue you think matches the clue. The closer your guess is to the correct hue, the more points you earn. It's a game that tests your perception, creativity, and understanding of how others interpret colours.
What’s the age range for the Hues and Cues board game?
Hues and Cues is suitable for players aged eight and up. Its simple rules and engaging gameplay make it accessible for children, while the depth of strategy keeps it interesting for adults.
It's a fantastic choice for family game nights, parties, or casual gatherings with friends.
Another great guessing game includes the refreshed edition of the original guessing game ‘Guess Who’
How many people can play Hues and Cues?
The game accommodates 3 to 10 players, making it versatile for various group sizes. The game becomes more dynamic and unpredictable with more players, adding to the fun. Whether you're hosting a small get-together or a larger party, Hues and Cues fits seamlessly into any setting.
Check out our family games here for more games perfect for larger groups of people, such as families.
Hues and Cues board game components
When you open your Hues and Cues box, here's what you'll find:
Hues and Cues board
This is a large, colourful grid featuring 100 different hues, each identified by coordinates (e.g., A1, B2). The grid is designed to resemble a colour palette, making it visually appealing and easy to navigate.
100 Hues and Cues colour cards
Each card displays four hues along with their coordinates on the grid. These cards serve as the basis for the clues given during the game.
30 Hues and Cues player markers
Small, coloured cones that players use to mark their guesses on the board. Each player has a set of markers in their chosen colour.
Hues and Cues scoring frame
A cardboard frame that fits over a 3x3 area of the board is used to determine scoring zones. This frame helps calculate points based on the proximity of guesses to the correct hue.
Hues and Cues rulebook
Provides detailed instructions on gameplay, setup, and scoring. It's clear and concise, ensuring players can quickly understand how to play.
How to set up the Hues and Cues game
Place the Hues and Cues board
Lay the colour grid board in the centre of the table, ensuring all players can easily reach it.
Shuffle the colour cards
Shuffle the deck of colour cards and place them face down within easy reach of all players.
Distribute player markers
Each player selects a set of player markers in their chosen colour. These markers will be used to make guesses on the board.
Determine the first cue giver
Decide who will be the first cue giver. The role of the cue giver rotates clockwise after each round.
How to play Hues and Cues
Step 1: The Cue giver draws a card
The cue giver draws a colour card from the deck. Each card features four hues, each with its coordinates on the grid. The cue giver secretly selects one of these hues without revealing it to the other players.
Give a one-word clue
The cue giver provides a one-word clue to describe the selected hue. The clue must not be a basic colour name (e.g., red, blue, yellow) and should not reference objects in the room or the board's coordinates. For example, instead of saying "sky blue," the cue giver might say "azure."
If you enjoy being creative and describing things through storytelling, check out Rory’s Story Cube collection.
Players make their first guess
Starting with the player to the left of the cue giver, each player places one of their markers on the square they believe corresponds to the described hue. Each square can only hold one marker.
The cue giver provides a two-word clue
The cue giver then offers a two-word clue to describe the hue further. This clue should still adhere to the same restrictions as the first clue.
Players make their second guess
Players now have the opportunity to adjust their guesses based on the new clue. They place their second marker on the board to get closer to the correct hue.
Reveal the correct hue
Once all players have made their second guesses, the cue giver reveals the correct hue's coordinates.
Scoring
Points are awarded as follows:
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Exact Match: 3 points
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Adjacent Hue: 2 points
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Within 2 Spaces: 1 point
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The cue giver earns points equal to the total points scored by all players during their turn.
The scoring frame determines which hues are adjacent or within two spaces of the correct hue.
Tips for playing hues and cues
Be creative with clues
Avoid generic or overly literal terms. Think about objects, moods, or environments that evoke the colour you’re aiming for. For instance, instead of saying “grass” for a green hue, try “lime,” “jungle,” or “matcha.”
Know your audience
Tailor your clues based on who’s playing. If your group comprises designers or artists, technical terms like “chartreuse” or “cerulean” might land well. If you're playing with kids or non-artists, stick to everyday references like “mint” or “sunset.”
For the artists and designers reading this, why not play the Art Society board game?
Play the players
As a guesser, don’t just interpret the clue; consider how the cue giver thinks. Are they likely to be poetic, literal, quirky, or straightforward? Understanding their style can help you zero in on the right hue.
Cluster your guesses
When you're unsure, it’s often a good idea to guess close to where others have placed their markers, especially in later rounds. It increases your odds of scoring at least 1 point.
Use the grid wisely
The board moves from warm to cool colours and light to dark tones. If the clue is “sunset,” aim for the red-orange-pink side. If it’s “dawn,” go lighter and cooler.
Bait-and-shift clues
If you're cueing and want to test your group’s range, try a subtle clue first, then follow up with something more specific in the two-word round. For example:
First clue: “Ocean”
Second clue: “Deep Sea”
This rewards players already thinking along the right spectrum while helping others course-correct.
If you enjoy guessing games, you may enjoy the Best Guess card game. Check it out today.
Learn colour vocabulary
Expand your colour lexicon. Words like “taupe,” “cobalt,” “periwinkle,” or “umber” can become powerful cues once your group gets more comfortable with the game.
Hues and Cues examples
Speed round mode
Playing with a large group and limited time? Try Speed Mode:
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One round per player.
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Only a single guess per player after the first clue.
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No two-word clue, go with your gut and score fast.
Team play
Pair up players and let them discuss clues and guesses together. Great for parties or family gatherings where you want to get everyone involved, even if they’re unsure about colour theory.
Blind hue
Try this twist: remove the board from view during clue giving. The cue giver chooses a colour, and players guess based only on the verbal clues. Reveal the board afterwards to see how wild the guesses get.
Where to buy Hues and Cues
Ready to test your colour vocabulary and challenge your perception? Hues and Cues is widely available at local board game stores.
Hues and Cues FAQs
What if multiple players pick the same space?
Each hue square can only have one marker. If someone picks the space you wanted, you’ll have to guess a different one nearby.
Do I have to give a second clue?
Nope! You can skip the two-word clue if you think your first clue was perfect. But remember, giving it usually helps players score, and you earn points based on their success.
Can I guess the same spot both times?
Yes, if you're confident in your guess, you can put your second marker on the same square as your first.
What happens in a tie?
If two or more players have the same score at the end of the game, they share the victory, or play an extra round as a tiebreaker.
Why you’ll love Hues and Cues
Hues and Cues is the kind of game that sparks conversation, laughter, and plenty of “Ohhhh, that’s what you meant!” moments. It’s easy to teach, quick to play, and replayable.
Whether you’re a colour expert or someone who calls everything “blue-ish,” there’s fun to be had.
So, grab your markers, shuffle the cards, and prepare to see colour and communication in a whole new way.
