The Gang

Why The Gang.

The Gang is poker with the money and the bluffing taken out and one strange rule put in their place. Everyone gets two cards, the flop, turn and river come out as usual, and after each street each player quietly takes a numbered chip: a one if you think your hand is the worst at the table, a six if you think it is the best. You cannot say a word about your cards. When the river is dealt and the chips are all claimed, the hands are revealed, and the table wins the round only if the chips are in the right order.

That sounds simple, and the first hand usually goes wrong in a way that gets the whole table laughing. The game is in the chip stealing: if someone takes the five and you think your hand is better, you take the five from them, and that silent tug of war is the only communication allowed. Win three hands before you lose three and the gang gets away with the heist. Later rounds add special cards that tighten the rules.

It teaches in two minutes, plays in twenty, and works with people who have never held a poker hand, because reading the table is the skill, not the odds. Best at four or five. At the price it is the easiest box to bring to a house full of people who say they do not play board games.

No paid placement. No sponsorship. We chose it on merit. The Amazon link funds the lights - if you'd rather buy from a local game store, look it up on BoardGameGeek for other sellers.