Skull King is a trick-raising game similar to "Oh Hell!", "Wizard", "Euchre" and "Spades", where players have to indicate how many tricks they think they will win in each round. A unique element of this game is that the auctions take place simultaneously, leading to rounds that are sometimes over- or under-bid. Since players must win the exact number of tricks they bid to win points, winning too many tricks is as bad as winning too few, leading to intense competition where losing a trick can be as exciting as winning one. The game lasts ten rounds, and in each round each player receives as many cards as the number of rounds. All players bid simultaneously on the number of tricks they think they will make by holding out a fist and revealing, on the count of three, a number of fingers (or possibly a clenched fist for a zero-trick bid).
Skull King is played in 10 rounds. One card is dealt to each player in the first round, two are dealt in the second, and so on up to 10 cards in the tenth round. After you have seen your cards, estimate the exact number of tricks you think you can win in that round. Remember: the higher the value of a card, the more likely you are to win a trick. Once everyone is ready, bang your fist on the table three times, shouting "Yo-ho-ho! On the third hit, each hold out a number of fingers equal to your bet, or a clenched fist if you are betting on zero. Use your two bet reminder cards. Place them on top of each other to indicate your bet. When the betting is complete, the player to the left of the dealer makes the first trick by playing a card face up in the centre of the table. Clockwise, each other player plays a card. The person who played the highest card wins the trick and collects the won cards in front of them. Then they play a card to start the next trick. The game continues until all tricks in the round have been played. At the end of the tenth round, the final scores are calculated. The player with the highest score is declared the winner and is elected Pirate Captain of the Seven Seas!
Rule, Educational Sheet ... 2 Files Available2 Files Available
Download the rule for Skull King or any other documents (scenarios, goodies, pedagogical sheet, erratum, ...). 2 PDF files are available. See all available files
Contents of the box : 56 colour cards, 14 special cards, 4 extension cards, 16 game aids, 16 betting reminders, 4 blank cards, 1 score book, 1 rule book.
