How to Play Loser

Game Objective

In Loser, players are trying to avoid turning into a frog. The game takes place in a sequence of rounds, and in each round, one player is determined to be the loser. The goal is not to be the player who flips both of their "character" cards to the frog side. The player who flips both of their "character" cards and turns into a frog is the loser of the game, and all other players mock them!

Preparation (Setup)

1. Each player receives a "character" (a set of 2 cards) and places it on the table in front of them (human side up).
2. Place the two action cards on either side in the center of the table.
3. Shuffle the 23 special cards and form a deck in the center of the table.
4. Shuffle the game cards (numbered 1 to 19).
5. Deal the game cards face down to each player, according to the table below. The remaining game cards are placed on the table face down and/or face up according to the number of players.
   • 3 players: 4 cards in hand, 4 cards face up on the table, 3 cards face down on the table.
   • 4 players: 4 cards in hand, 1 card face up on the table, 2 cards face down on the table.
   • 5 players: 3 cards in hand, 2 cards face up on the table, 2 cards face down on the table.
   • 6 players: 3 cards in hand, 0 cards face up on the table, 1 card face down on the table.
6. Only for the 1st turn: choose the first player randomly. They take one special card. Special cards are kept face down on the table in front of their owners (they can secretly consult their cards at any time).

Game Flow

The game takes place in a sequence of rounds, and each round consists of three phases:

1. Playing cards: Starting with the first player and continuing clockwise, each participant plays a card from their hand and applies the respective effects. This phase continues until each player has only 1 card in hand.
2. Voting: When each player has only 1 card in hand, this phase begins. Each player votes by indicating "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" simultaneously, depending on the value of the card they have in hand.
3. Determining the Loser: After voting, the loser of the round is determined. They flip one of their "character" cards with the frog side up. If they haven't flipped both of their "character" cards yet, the next round is prepared.

For the next round, the special cards, action cards, and "character" cards remain as they are. All 19 game cards are shuffled and dealt according to the initial setup, and the next round is played following the same rules.

Actions and How to Play

During your turn in the Playing cards phase, you must play a card from your hand to the table.

• If you play a red card (1, 15-19), place it face down on the table. Your turn ends.
• If you play a blue card (2-14), place it face up on the table. Now you must:
  • Activate one of your special cards (if you have any) - apply its effect and discard it face up into a special discard pile or place it face up on the table (if the card so instructs).
  • OR
  • Apply one of the two visible actions from the action cards on the table and then flip the action card you used.

Voting

When each player has only one card in hand, the voting phase begins. Each player must indicate whether they think they have the highest card value or not. To do this, they must first extend their arm to the center of the table. Then, on the count of "3", each player must simultaneously show a thumb up (if they think they have the highest card value) or a thumb down (if they think they do not have the highest card value).

Determining the Loser

There is only one loser in each round! The loser is determined by the following rules:

• If the player with the highest card value chose "thumbs up", the player with the lowest card value is the loser.
• If the player with the highest card value put "thumbs down", they are the loser.
• If the player with the highest card value chose "thumbs up" and someone else also chose "thumbs up", the player with the lowest card value among those who chose "thumbs up" is the loser.
• In case of a tie (due to the effects of special cards), the player with the lowest card value (the card with the smallest number) is the loser.

The loser flips one of their "character" cards with the frog side up. The loser takes 2 special cards: they keep one (of their choice) and give the other to the player to their left, who will be the first player in the next round.

At any point in the game, if the special cards deck is empty, form a new deck from the discard pile.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends when a player flips both of their "character" cards and thus turns into a frog. This player is the loser of the game, and all other players mock them!

Tips for Winning

• In each round, you must do your best to end up with the right card and disrupt your opponents' plans.
• Be careful during voting: one mistake and you are the loser!