# Renfield

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1999
- **BGG Rating**: 5.7
- **BGG Rank**: #21066
- **Players**: 4-7 (Best with: 5, 6)
- **Duration**: 60 min
- **Weight**: 1.35 / 5
- **Designers**: James Ernest
- **Artists**: Michael O'Connor, Rokkakudō DADA (六角堂DADA)
- **Publishers**: Cheapass Games, I Am Factory, New Games Order, LLC
- **Categories**: Card Game, Horror, Print & Play
- **Mechanics**: Betting and Bluffing, Trick-taking

## Verdict
If you enjoy card games that are out of the ordinary, with a touch of bluffing and a spine-chilling horror theme, Renfield might be your cup of tea! It's an interesting mix of trick-taking and betting that leads to good laughs and tense moments.Unique blend of mechanicsEngaging horror themeBetting tensionPlayer-driven endLanguage dependencyCan be confusing initiallyFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Get ready for a quite peculiar card game experience with Renfield! This game mixes trick-taking strategy with the tension of betting and bluffing, all wrapped in a horror theme that gives a sinister vibe to the matches. Each card is a small treasure trove of information: it has a strength value, a suit (tools, parts, or stones), a number of bugs, and a dollar cost. The game plays out in hands of six rounds, where you'll decide the suit hierarchy through bids. Whoever places the highest bid takes the money home and also sets the hierarchy for the next round. Then, it's follow suit if you can, and hope not to accumulate too many bugs. By the way, if you manage to win a trick with bugs, you can even fold the current hand, but be careful: this takes you out of the running for the hand's main prize. The goal is to be the least 'infested' with bugs at the end of the six rounds. And the best part (or worst, depending on your bug luck): the game only ends when everyone decides to stop. It's one of those games that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering if it's worth risking another round or if it's time to retreat. Perfect for those who enjoy a card game with a touch of risk and a theme that strays from the ordinary, ideal for playing with friends who aren't easily scared and enjoy a good bluff.

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for Renfield?
A game of Renfield typically lasts around 60 minutes, but since the game only ends when players decide to stop, this can vary quite a bit.

### How many players does Renfield support?
Renfield is designed for slightly larger groups, playing well with 4 to 7 players.

### Is the game difficult to learn?
The complexity is considered low (1.35/5 on BGG), but the combination of mechanics and the need for translation might require some attention in the first few plays.

### Do I need to print the cards? How does it work?
Yes, Renfield is a 'Print & Play' game, meaning you need to print and assemble the cards and components at home. Usually, a PDF file is available for this.

### Who is Renfield recommended for?
It's ideal for those who already know and enjoy card games with trick-taking and betting mechanics, like a horror theme, and don't mind the need to print the materials.

### What is the main objective of the game?
The objective is to have the lowest amount of accumulated bugs at the end of the six rounds of each hand, while trying to win the money pot formed by the bets.

### What happens if I win a trick with bugs?
If you win a trick having collected bugs, you have the option to fold the rest of the hand. However, by doing so, you cannot win the current hand, even if you are the player with the fewest bugs.