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(Created page with "== River Rats == In '''River Rats''', two players guide their clans of rats on rafts down a shifting river. By playing cards strategically, they move toward valuable loot or push their opponent into dangerous waters. === Game Objective === The goal is to have the most '''Victory Points (Loot)''' at the end of the game (when the river deck is empty). Points are awarded for cheese, gold, and other treasures, while debris or traps may result in negative points. === Game...")
 
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== River Rats ==
== Game Overview ==
In the seedy backrooms, we play as cunning card sharks against wealthy '''River Rats'''. We must strategically play our cards to craft stronger poker combinations than our furry opponents to drive them into financial ruin. Through a combination of limited communication, card actions, and unique special abilities, we collectively optimize a central hand.


In '''River Rats''', two players guide their clans of rats on rafts down a shifting river. By playing cards strategically, they move toward valuable loot or push their opponent into dangerous waters.
== Goal of the Game ==
Players win together when both River Rats have accumulated '''5 Debt''' each. The game is lost if the players collectively accumulate a total of '''5 Debt'''.


=== Game Objective ===
=== Round Setup ===
The goal is to have the most '''Victory Points (Loot)''' at the end of the game (when the river deck is empty). Points are awarded for cheese, gold, and other treasures, while debris or traps may result in negative points.
Each round begins with the active '''River Rat''' receiving '''5''' face-up and '''2''' face-down cards. Additionally, one card is revealed as the ''Joker's Prediction'', which determines the round's ante and forms the first card of the '''Debt pile'''.


=== Game Setup ===
== Gameplay ==
* The river is formed by a row of cards (the display).
The game takes place over several rounds in which players take turns until the '''Collective Hand''' consists of '''5''' cards.
* Each player starts with a hand of 3 Rat cards.
* The players' rafts start at the beginning of the river.


=== Gameplay ===
=== The Player Turn ===
The game is played over several rounds. Each round consists of two phases:
On their turn, a player chooses one of the following main actions:


==== 1. Planning Phase (Playing Cards) ====
* '''Draw & Play''':
Both players simultaneously choose one card from their hand and place it face-down. Then, both cards are revealed at the same time.
# '''Draw''': Refill hand to '''3''' cards (from the draw deck or the '''Market''').
* Cards have a '''numerical value''' (speed/initiative).
# '''Play''': Place one card face-up in the center of the table into the '''Collective Hand'''.
* The card with the '''higher value''' is resolved first. In case of a tie, specific priority rules apply (usually based on card symbols).
# '''Choose Action''': The player either performs the '''Suit Action''' of the card or uses their '''Character Ability''' (if the suit matches their Ace).


==== 2. Action Phase (Move & Collect) ====
'''OR'''
Players resolve their actions in sequence:
* '''Move:''' Move the raft along the river according to the value or instructions on the card.
* '''Landing & Collecting:''' If a raft lands on a space with loot, the player takes the corresponding card (or token).
* '''Special Effects:''' Many cards allow pushing the opponent's raft, swapping cards, or manipulating the river layout.


=== Key Actions & Symbols ===
* '''Use Joker''': Place an available '''Joker''' into the '''Collective Hand''' (max. '''1''' per round).
The icons on the cards are essential for tactical decisions:
* '''Forward Arrow:''' Move your raft forward the indicated number of spaces.
* '''Anchor:''' Stay at your current position (ignore movement effects).
* '''Rat Head (Push):''' Move the opponent's raft one space forward or backward.
* '''Whirlpool:''' Forces players to discard cards or change positions unpredictably.


=== Loot Categories ===
=== Suit Actions ===
* '''Cheese (Yellow):''' Standard victory points.
{| class="wikitable"
* '''Shiny Stuff (Gold/Silver):''' High point values, often highly contested.
! Symbol !! Action !! Character Ability
* '''Junk/Traps:''' May grant negative points or damage the raft (reducing hand size).
|-
| '''♣ (Clubs)''' || Place one card from your hand face-up into the '''Market''' (max. '''6''' cards). || Place up to '''2''' cards from your hand face-up into the '''Market'''.
|-
| '''♦ (Diamonds)''' || Swap a card from your hand with a card in the '''Collective Hand'''. || Swap a card from the '''Market''' with one in the '''Collective Hand'''.
|-
| '''♥ (Hearts)''' || Increase '''Debt''' by placing the top card of the draw deck face-down onto the '''Debt pile'''. || Reveal one of the '''River Rat's''' face-down cards; then decide whether to increase the '''Debt'''.
|-
| '''♠ (Spades)''' || Discard a card from your hand or the '''Market'''. || Discard any number of cards from your hand or the '''Market'''.
|}


=== End of Game ===
== Hand Resolution ==
The game ends immediately when:
Once there are '''5''' cards in the '''Collective Hand''':
# A player reaches the end of the river (potentially gaining a bonus).
1. '''Joker Check''': If the hand meets the condition of the prediction card, the players receive a '''Joker''' (wildcard) for later use.
# The river draw deck is empty.
2. '''Showdown''': The Rat forms the best 5-card poker hand from its 7 cards (5 face-up, 2 face-down). The players use the 5 cards from the center of the table.
Final scoring of all collected loot cards follows. The player with the highest total value wins.
3. '''Outcome''': The stronger hand wins. In the event of a tie, the Rat wins. The round's Debt (the pile) is given to the loser.
 
== Important Rules ==
* '''Communication''': Hand cards may not be shown and exact values may not be mentioned.
* '''Joker''': An earned Joker can be played instead of a card into the collective hand and counts as any value/suit.

Latest revision as of 22:35, 31 March 2026

Game Overview

In the seedy backrooms, we play as cunning card sharks against wealthy River Rats. We must strategically play our cards to craft stronger poker combinations than our furry opponents to drive them into financial ruin. Through a combination of limited communication, card actions, and unique special abilities, we collectively optimize a central hand.

Goal of the Game

Players win together when both River Rats have accumulated 5 Debt each. The game is lost if the players collectively accumulate a total of 5 Debt.

Round Setup

Each round begins with the active River Rat receiving 5 face-up and 2 face-down cards. Additionally, one card is revealed as the Joker's Prediction, which determines the round's ante and forms the first card of the Debt pile.

Gameplay

The game takes place over several rounds in which players take turns until the Collective Hand consists of 5 cards.

The Player Turn

On their turn, a player chooses one of the following main actions:

  • Draw & Play:
  1. Draw: Refill hand to 3 cards (from the draw deck or the Market).
  2. Play: Place one card face-up in the center of the table into the Collective Hand.
  3. Choose Action: The player either performs the Suit Action of the card or uses their Character Ability (if the suit matches their Ace).

OR

  • Use Joker: Place an available Joker into the Collective Hand (max. 1 per round).

Suit Actions

Symbol Action Character Ability
♣ (Clubs) Place one card from your hand face-up into the Market (max. 6 cards). Place up to 2 cards from your hand face-up into the Market.
♦ (Diamonds) Swap a card from your hand with a card in the Collective Hand. Swap a card from the Market with one in the Collective Hand.
♥ (Hearts) Increase Debt by placing the top card of the draw deck face-down onto the Debt pile. Reveal one of the River Rat's face-down cards; then decide whether to increase the Debt.
♠ (Spades) Discard a card from your hand or the Market. Discard any number of cards from your hand or the Market.

Hand Resolution

Once there are 5 cards in the Collective Hand: 1. Joker Check: If the hand meets the condition of the prediction card, the players receive a Joker (wildcard) for later use. 2. Showdown: The Rat forms the best 5-card poker hand from its 7 cards (5 face-up, 2 face-down). The players use the 5 cards from the center of the table. 3. Outcome: The stronger hand wins. In the event of a tie, the Rat wins. The round's Debt (the pile) is given to the loser.

Important Rules

  • Communication: Hand cards may not be shown and exact values may not be mentioned.
  • Joker: An earned Joker can be played instead of a card into the collective hand and counts as any value/suit.
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