The complete guide to the most dreaded dice roll in Catan â discarding, robber movement, and stealing.
You roll the dice and it's a 7. The table groans. But what exactly happens,
and in what order? The "7 roll" is the most rule-intensive moment in Catan,
and groups get the sequence wrong all the time.
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Quick Answer
Three things happen in order: (1) anyone with 8+ cards discards half, (2) the roller moves the robber, (3) the roller steals one card from an adjacent player.
The Three Steps (In Order)
1
Discard Phase
Every player with 8 or more resource cards must discard half (rounded down).
This happens to all affected players simultaneously â not just the roller. If you have 9 cards, you discard 4.
Common mistake: Only making the roller discard. Everyone with 8+ cards must discard, regardless of who rolled.
2
Move the Robber
The player who rolled moves the robber to any hex other than where it currently sits.
The robber blocks resource production from that hex until it's moved again.
Common mistake: Leaving the robber in place. You must move it to a different hex.
3
Steal One Card
The roller takes one random resource card from any player who has a
settlement or city adjacent to the robber's new hex. The stolen card is random â no peeking.
Common mistake: Letting the roller choose which card to steal. It must be random.
Discard Count Quick Reference
Cards in Hand
Must Discard
Keep
7 or fewer
0 (safe!)
All
8
4
4
9
4
5
10
5
5
11
5
6
12
6
6
Strategic Tips for the 7
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Target the Leader
Place the robber on a hex that hurts the player in first place. Block their best number and steal from them.
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Knight Cards Are Insurance
If the robber is hurting you, play a knight to move it. This also counts toward Largest Army (2 VP).
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Negotiate Robber Placement
"Put it on Alex and I'll trade you the ore you need." The 7 is a bargaining chip â use it diplomatically.