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Ask anything about Skull King: rules, setup, components, complexity, price, or whether it fits your group.
If you enjoy trick-taking games with a twist and lots of interaction, Skull King is a treasure you need to unearth. It's pure pirate fun with bluffs and predictions!
- Simultaneous bidding adds thrill
- Fun special cards
- Intense player interaction
- Scales well for many
- Engaging pirate theme
- Can be chaotic with many
- Requires memory and attention
- Luck can influence outcomes
About the game
What you do in a play session
Skull King's 66-card deck is a spectacle in itself, featuring numbered suits from 1 to 13 and an arsenal of special cards that turn the game upside down. We have 'Escape' cards (which lose to everything), 'Mermaids' (which beat numbered cards), 'Pirates' (who beat Mermaids), and the fearsome 'Skull King' (who dominates all, except when a Mermaid encounters and captures him!). To top it off, the 'Tigress' can be either an 'Escape' or a 'Pirate', depending on your strategy.
Nailing your bid is crucial: you score 20 points per trick if you hit the exact number. Missed it? You lose 10 points for each trick you're off. And if you're bold and bid zero tricks, you can earn many points, but be careful not to take even one! Additionally, there are bonuses for capturing Pirates with the Skull King, or the King himself with a Mermaid. Whoever has the most points after ten rounds of pure piracy and bluffing will be crowned the true Skull King!
Expansions
Published additional content
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
Where to Buy
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Price history — last 6 months (lowest new offer)
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Community
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
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