Cockroach Poker Royal

999 Games, Black Sea Puzzles, Devir · Board game · 2012
7.3 Ludopedia 7.0 BGG 2–6 · best 5 15–25 min Weight 1.1/5
Buy · from US$ 11.06
7.3 rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love bluffing and don't mind (cardboard) cockroaches, Cockroach Poker Royal is a sure bet to liven up any group with plenty of laughs and suspicion.

Highlights
  • Pure and fun bluffing
  • Fast and easy to learn
  • Guaranteed interaction
  • Dark and gross humor
Keep in mind
  • Can accumulate cards quickly
  • One player always loses
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for an extra dose of gross-out fun with Cockroach Poker Royal! Despite the name, forget traditional poker; the real game here is bluffing, but with a cast of far less glamorous creatures: cockroaches, rats, insects, and even bats in "royal" and more unpleasant versions. The goal is simple: pass on the cards you don't want, trying to trick your opponents into accepting them. Each card played comes with a declaration about the critter, and the receiver has to decide whether to believe it or not. If they guess wrong, the unwanted card comes back to them; if they guess right, the player who passed it has to deal with it. The trick is that you can lie about the critter or even about the truthfulness of the card! Things get tense when someone accumulates four cards of the same type in front of them, or when the hand runs out and there are no more cards to pass. Whoever falls into this trap loses, becoming the round's main villain. With new critters and rules adding more twists, Cockroach Poker Royal promises laughs and suspicious glances at any table, making it perfect for those who enjoy fast-paced games full of interaction and a touch of dark humor.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–6 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
6 REC

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Animals: Bats Animals: Cockroaches Animals: Frogs / Toads Animals: Insects Animals: Rats Series: Ugly Animals (Drei Magier)
Publisher 999 Games, Black Sea Puzzles, Devir, Drei Magier Spiele, G3, Gémklub, Gigamic, Korea Boardgames, Lion Rampant Imports, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd.
Designer Jacques Zeimet
Artist Rolf Vogt

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

9,925owners
1,036wishlist
135want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
What is the main objective of the game?
The goal is to avoid being the sole player to accumulate four cards of the same critter in front of you, or to run out of cards to pass. Basically, you want others to lose, not you!
Do I need to know how to play poker to understand the rules?
Not at all! The name is just a playful reference. The game is entirely focused on bluffing and passing unwanted cards, with no relation to traditional poker rules.
How many people can play?
Cockroach Poker Royal is quite flexible, working with 2 to 6 players. It shines best with more people, of course, to have more targets for your bluffs!
Is the game complicated?
Not at all! The rules are super simple. You take a card, declare the critter, and pass it to someone. That person decides whether to accept it or pass it on. Within minutes, everyone is playing and bluffing.
How long does a game last?
Games are quite fast, usually lasting between 15 and 25 minutes. Perfect for playing multiple rounds in one night or as a warm-up before a longer game.
Who is this game recommended for?
It's ideal for those who enjoy bluffing games, social interaction, and don't mind a bit of gross-out humor. Great for parties and for playing with friends and family who enjoy a good laugh.
What's different in the Royal version?
The Royal version adds new, more "royal" and disgusting critters, plus some extra rules that make the game even more unpredictable and fun than the original Cockroach Poker.

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