Everyone who's ever played a hand of Poker knows how important it is to be a good bluffer. That skill will also help you win these games, some of my favorites.
1. Liar's Dice (aka Call My Bluff)
Designed by Richard Borg, published by Milton Bradley / Endless Games / FX Schmid.Perhaps the ultimate bluffing game, Liar's Dice challenges players to look into the eyes of their opponents and make outrageous claims with complete confidence. On a turn, a player predicts how many of a particular number has been rolled on all of the dice around the table -- but he only know what's on his own dice.
2. Top Secret Spies
Image courtesy of Rio Grande Games
Designed by Wolfgang Kramer, published by Rio Grande Games / Ravensburger.
The goal of this game is to move your spy into good scoring positions -- without other players figuring out that you're doing it. No one knows whose color is which until the end of the game, and you win bonus points for deducing your opponents' identity.
The goal of this game is to move your spy into good scoring positions -- without other players figuring out that you're doing it. No one knows whose color is which until the end of the game, and you win bonus points for deducing your opponents' identity.
3. Incan Gold (aka Diamant)
Image courtesy of Schmeidt Spiele
For 3 to 8 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Alan R. Moon and Bruno Faidutti, published by Gryphon Games / Schmidt Spiele.
4. Cash 'n Guns
For 4 to 6 players, ages 12 and up. Designed by Ludovic Maublanc, published by Repos Production / Asmodée Editions.5. Saboteur
Image courtesy of Z-Man Games
For 3 to 10 players, ages 8 and up. Designed by Frederic Moyersoen, published by Z-Man Games.
Dwarves are mining for gold, working together to find the best path to make sure they can get the gold back to the surface and divide it. Unfortunately, some of the dwarves might be saboteurs, looking out for themselves instead of the group. After three rounds of digging for gold, the player with the most is the winner in this card game. I carry this game in my car so that it's always available.
Dwarves are mining for gold, working together to find the best path to make sure they can get the gold back to the surface and divide it. Unfortunately, some of the dwarves might be saboteurs, looking out for themselves instead of the group. After three rounds of digging for gold, the player with the most is the winner in this card game. I carry this game in my car so that it's always available.
6. Shadow Hunters
For 4 to 8 players, ages 10 and up. Designed by Yasutaka Ikeda, published by Z-Man Games.7. Werewolf / Mafia
A great game for large groups. Two players are the werewolves (or hitmen); the rest of the players are trying to discover who they are and kill them before it's too late. (Technically, it's not a board game. But it's not really a card game either -- it's a bluffing game!)8. Hoity Toity (aka Adel Verpflichtet)
Image courtesy of Uberplay
Players compete in auctions -- after guessing where their opponents will go to bid -- in order to acquire the best antique collection. You move forward by showing off your collections, but doing so leaves you vulnerable to theft. A game full of competing options.
