The Gang

KOSMOS, 999 Games, Albi · Board game · 2024
3–6 · best 5 20 min Weight 1.6/5
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.6 rating BGG
8.3 rating Ludopedia
7.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict

The Gang is for those who love the tension of poker but want a cooperative experience full of (silent) laughs! It's a quick and clever game that will test your group's synergy.

Highlights
  • Innovative cooperative poker
  • Challenging restricted communication
  • Quick and dynamic games
  • Lots of (non-verbal) interaction
  • Easy to learn, hard to master
Keep in mind
  • Requires group synergy
  • Might frustrate talkative players
  • Relies on reading others
RECOMMENDED
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About the game
Alright, folks! Get ready to round up your crew, because in The Gang, you're teaming up for a series of bank heists, but with a unique twist: using the power of poker! Imagine a cooperative version of Texas Hold'em, where communication is limited, and trust in your team is everything. At the start of each round, without uttering a word, each player secretly chooses a chip that represents how good they believe their hand is. It's like a silent bet on your own ability to bluff (or not!).

After this initial prediction, cards begin to be revealed in the center of the table, and that's when things heat up. You'll have the chance to reassess your hands with each new card, but remember: no talking! At the end of the round, the truth is revealed: did all players correctly evaluate the strength of their own hand? If so, congratulations, your gang manages to crack open a bank vault! But if someone made a big mistake, the alarm goes off, and the police get one step closer.

The objective is simple yet challenging: open three vaults before the alarm sounds three times. If you manage this feat, your gang will be hailed as the greatest poker thieves around! The Gang is a game that blends the tension of poker with the fun of cooperation and the challenge of restricted communication, perfect for those looking for something quick, strategic, and with plenty of interaction (even if silent).
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 REC
WHERE TO BUY
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Game details

Categories

Families

Components: Traditional Playing Cards Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Theme: Burglary and Heists Traditional Card Games: Poker
Publisher KOSMOS, 999 Games, Albi, Brädspel.se, Broadway Toys LTD, Devir, Galakta, Ghenos Games, GP Games, IELLO, Lautapelit.fi, Thames & Kosmos
Designer John Cooper, Kory Heath
Artist Fiore GmbH
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does The Gang support?
The Gang is designed for groups of 3 to 6 players, making it perfect for gatherings with friends or family.
What is the average game length?
Games are quite quick! They typically last between 20 and 30 minutes, so you can easily play multiple rounds in one evening.
Is it a complex game for beginners?
Not at all! The complexity is low (BGG weight of 1.59/5). The rules are easy to pick up, especially if you're familiar with basic poker. The challenge lies more in the restricted communication and reading other players.
What is the main objective of the game?
The goal is to cooperate to open three bank vaults before the alarm sounds three times. To open a vault, everyone in your gang needs to correctly predict the strength of their own card hand in that round.
Do I need to be good at poker to play The Gang?
You don't need to be a poker ace! Knowing card combinations helps, but the game's focus is on predictive bidding and silent cooperation, not traditional poker. It's more about reading your teammates than bluffing against them.
Does The Gang have language dependency?
No, the game has no language dependency in its components. The cards and tokens are universal, so anyone can play without translation issues.