# Irish Wolf

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1992
- **BGG Rating**: 5.5
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 3-4
- **Duration**: 15 min
- **Weight**: 1.25 / 5
- **Designers**: Reiner Knizia
- **Publishers**: W. Nostheide Verlag GmbH
- **Categories**: Animals, Card Game, Racing
- **Mechanics**: Betting and Bluffing

## Verdict
If you enjoy quick bets and greyhound races, Irish Wolf gives you fun in 15 minutes.fast and easyfun bluffingcolorful componentslimited strategic depthhigh luck factorRECOMMENDED

## Description
Irish Wolf is a fast‑paced, betting‑heavy card game for 3‑4 players who love a little gamble. The deck consists of 25 cards split into five colors, each color holding the numbers 1 through 5, and every card depicts a greyhound. Alongside the cards are 25 colored tokens (five of each hue) and a pool of chips worth 1 and 5 points. To start, the cards are shuffled and dealt; the remaining cards form reserve piles, one per color, giving the matching greyhound an early lead. Each round all players simultaneously play a card from their hand, moving the greyhounds forward by the number shown. Players then place their tokens as secret bets on the dog they think will win, allowing for plenty of bluffing. The game ends when one color’s tokens run out; chips are then awarded to anyone who bet on the winning dog of that same color. The player with the most chips wins. A typical play‑through lasts about 15 minutes, the rules are very easy (weight 1.25/5), and the experience blends luck, opponent reading, and a dash of hand‑management strategy. First published in the 1992 issue of Spielbox, Irish Wolf still feels like a greyhound track where every card can shift the lead. It’s a great pick for fans of short, betting‑centric games who don’t mind a little risk for a lot of fun.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
3 to 4 players.

### What’s the typical playing time?
About 15 minutes.

### How complex is the game?
Very low; perfect for beginners.

### What components are included?
25 greyhound cards, 25 colored tokens, and 1‑ and 5‑value chips.

### Is it for deep strategic gamers?
Not really; the focus is on quick betting and bluffing.

### Can I play with fewer than 3 players?
No, the game needs at least 3 participants.

### Do I need to know betting rules?
The rules are simple, but grasping bluffing tactics helps.