What is the hand limit in Pandemic?
7 cards. If you ever have more than 7, you immediately discard down to 7, or play Event cards to get there. It applies on anyone's turn, including right after receiving a card through Share Knowledge.
The rule:
The hand limit in Pandemic is 7 player cards: whenever you go over 7, on any player’s turn and even right after Share Knowledge, you must immediately discard or play Event cards until you’re back to 7.
- The limit is 7 player cards. City and Event cards count. Your role card and reference card don’t.
- Check it immediately. Whenever you go over 7, discard or play Event cards until you have 7.
- After drawing: resolve any Epidemic cards you drew first, then check your hand size.
- Contingency Planner: the Event card stored on his role card doesn’t count toward his hand.
Discarded cards go to the Player Discard Pile, which anyone can look through at any time.
Example:
Kai has 7 cards and Mia gives him the Paris card with Share Knowledge. He now has 8, so he must discard a card or play an Event card right away.
Why players argue about it:
Players wait until the end of their turn to discard, or count their role card toward the limit. The limit is checked immediately, and only player cards count.