Happy Salmon - Grab & Game
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By the third game, someone's lost their voice. By the fifth, the table is pure chaos. By the tenth, no one wants to stop. And you're still laughing about that flying salmon.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
The most frantic party game ever
Happy Salmon was created in 2016 by Ken Gruhl and Quentin Weir, with iconic illustrations by Matthew Inman (creator of The Oatmeal). North Star Games and Exploding Kittens launched it as the antithesis of traditional party games: zero turns, zero waiting, zero embarrassment. Just shouting, gesturing, and laughing.
Each player has a deck of cards with four actions: High 5, Pound It, Switcheroo, and Happy Salmon. Everyone plays simultaneously. You shout the action on your card, find someone shouting the same thing, do the gesture together, discard. The first to run out of cards wins. Two minutes of pure chaos. Then you start again.
What they say abroad
It's a collective shout of joy distilled into a card game. There are no pauses, just adrenaline.
— FroGames
Happy Salmon is the end of table awkwardness. After 30 seconds, no one is ashamed of anything anymore.
— FroGames
Happy Salmon
FrogScore · editorial rating FroGames · based on rules, international reviews, and game sessionsThe four actions that unleash chaos
What you shout (and what you do) during the game
High 5
You shout "High 5!" and high-five anyone shouting the same thing. The classic that always works.
Pound It
You shout "Pound It!" and give a friendly fist bump. The street version of High 5.
Switcheroo
You shout "Switcheroo!" and swap places with someone. The table becomes a frantic dance.
Happy Salmon
You shout "Happy Salmon!" and flap your forearms like two fish greeting each other. The most ridiculous and memorable action in the game.
Recommended Sleeves 240 cards in 2 sizes ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting the cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 51 × 90 mm | 168 |
| 50 × 87 mm | 72 |
| Total cards | 240 |
In ten minutes you will have played five games. And someone will already be yelling "One more!"
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The shyness countdown
Everyone looks at their cards. There's a second of silence. Then someone shouts "High 5!" and the table explodes. Shyness dies here.
Chaos takes shape
Eight people are yelling four different things. Half the table is looking for a High 5, the other half a Pound It. Someone messes up the gesture. No one stops.
The first Switcheroo
Someone shouts "Switcheroo!" and swaps places with you. Now you're on the other side of the table, surrounded by new faces. Start shouting again.
The flying salmon
Two people shout "Happy Salmon!" and slap their forearms together like mad fish. The rest of the table bursts out laughing. Someone loses their rhythm. Advantage.
Victory shouted
Someone discards their last card and shouts louder than anyone else. They won. The others haven't even realised yet. The game starts again immediately.
How to play
The flow of each round (if you can call it that)
There are no turns. Everyone plays together. Simultaneously. Shouting.
Each player receives 12 cards (or 10, if you play with the green deck). All face down. No one looks.
Everyone turns over the first card of their deck and shouts out the action written on it. You don't wait for anyone. You shout and look for a match.
When you find someone shouting the same action as you, perform the gesture together (High 5, Pound It, Switcheroo, or Happy Salmon). Both discard the card.
Immediately turn over the next card and start again. The first to finish their deck wins. Shuffle the cards and start over.
Why it's different from other party games
Six reasons why Happy Salmon always works
Zero turns, just simultaneity
You never wait. Everyone plays together, always. There is no downtime. From the first second to the last, you're in chaos.
Volume is part of the game
You have to shout to be heard. Those who shout loudest find matches faster. The table becomes a decibel competition. Shyness always loses.
Absurd physical gestures
The Happy Salmon is a gesture that does not exist in nature. Two forearms slapping together like fish. Ridiculous, memorable, perfect.
The table moves
The Switcheroo constantly changes positions. The person who was in front of you is now on the other side. Chaos is also spatial.
Rules in 30 seconds
Four actions, one goal: finish first. That's it. Even a six-year-old understands everything instantly.
Portable and indestructible
It fits in a soft plastic bag. You can put it anywhere. You take it out on the beach, in the mountains, at the park. It even works standing up.
How it ends
How to win (and how to play another game)
There are no losing conditions. There's just who finishes first and who wants a rematch.
Victory
- You discard all your cards before everyone else
- You shout louder and find matches faster
- You survive the chaos without losing rhythm
Defeat (relative)
- Others finish before you
- You get stuck looking for a match that doesn't come
- You waste time laughing instead of discarding
Happy Salmon is the party game that eliminates awkwardness in 30 seconds and makes you scream like a madman for two minutes. It always works. With anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Happy Salmon
How long does a game really last?
Two minutes. Literally. Then someone says "One more!" and you play ten more in a row. Time flies.
Does it work with shy people?
Yes, but only for the first 30 seconds. Then the chaos is such that everyone lets loose. It's impossible to remain composed when eight people are shouting around you.
How many decks are needed for more than 8 players?
The base game is for 3 to 8 players. If there are more than 8 of you, you need two decks. Each deck has different colors (blue and green) and can be combined to play with up to 12+ people.
Can it also be played in small spaces?
Yes, but the Switcheroo becomes even more chaotic. It works better if there's space to switch places without overturning tables. But overturning tables is fun too.
Is it available in Italian?
Yes, this Asmodee edition is entirely in Italian. The cards have Italian text and the rules are translated. But honestly: once you understand the game (30 seconds), the language doesn't matter. You just shout and gesticulate.
Happy Salmon is a frantic and chaotic party game for 3-8 players, lasting just 2 minutes per game. Designed by Ken Gruhl, Quentin Weir, Matthew Inman, and Elan Lee, published by North Star Games and Exploding Kittens. The game is based on four simultaneous, turn-free actions: High 5, Pound It, Switcheroo, and Happy Salmon. Everyone shouts, looks for matches, and discards cards as quickly as possible. Suitable for ages 6 and up, perfect for families, parties, and large groups. Instant rules, lightning-fast games, guaranteed laughs. This Asmodee edition is in Italian. Available on FroGames.it.
Happy Salmon - Grab & Game
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
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