Mutiny

Mutiny (also known as Jolly Roger: A Game of Mutiny and Piracy) drops each participant onto the deck of a pirate ship where survival hinges on who you decide to back. At the start, everyone draws a role card that assigns them to one of three factions: Traitor, Loyal shipmate, or the Captain. The Captain’s identity is public, but he has no clue about the hidden loyalties. Traitors aim to kill the Captain and the loyal crew; the loyal crew tries to protect the Captain and eliminate the traitors; the Captain simply wants to stay alive, though he’s blind to who wants him dead. Each round begins with the two main groups picking a meal to poison—first the loyal side, then the traitors. Players then swap meal cards, trying to shield themselves or sacrifice another. After all swaps, everyone reveals their cards; anyone who received the poison is eliminated. The process repeats until the Captain falls or all traitors or loyal crew are gone. The game runs 15‑30 minutes, supports 6‑18 players, and has a light weight (1.5/5), making it perfect for party settings and large groups. Core mechanics involve hand management (card swapping) and implicit voting/negotiation as players deduce who’s lying and who can be trusted. The tone is light‑hearted, full of bluffs and twists, ideal for fans of pirate lore, backstabbing, and lots of laughs. While the rules are simple, the tension of uncovering the hidden traitor keeps the fun alive until the very last poisoned dish.