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== General ==
Refer to '''[https://en.doc.boardgamearena.com/Gamehelphanabi#Definitions Game Help Definitions]'''
On BGA, there is no 1 set strategy (convention) to be played. However, if people start playing different conventions in one game, the game is doomed to fail. It is a good idea to discuss before the game which conventions you will be using.


The strategies explained in this guide all have 1 goal in mind: to get the highest possible score, in the most amount of games. There are people who find score less important, and want to challenge themselves logically, or "just want to have fun". Again, communication in advance of the game is key.
== Thinking ==


Imagine this 'ideal' game. You play with 3 players and reach the maximum score of 25 points (5-colour game). At the end, there will be (at least) 12 cards left in the hands of the players, (at least) 1 clue token available and 25 cards will have been played. This means, that from the 50 cards of the deck, (50 - 25 - 12 =) 13 cards have been discarded and converted into clue tokens. You get 8 clue tokens at the start, and you will have gotten a 5 clue tokens from playing the 5s. This means that in the entire game, there were 13 (discards) + 8 (start) + 5 (completing a colour) - 1 (token left at the end) = 25 clue tokens available for playing.
* Check visible cards, including played and discarded to determine the focus and the meaning of a clue.
** e.g. you are given a '''2''' clue. You see {{Hr|2}} was played and the second {{Hr|2}} is in another hand. Therefore the clue means "'''2'''s which are not red".
** e.g. you are given a '''4''' clue that marks only your chop. You see no '''4'''s have been discarded and no '''4'''s on the chop of the players next to you. Therefore the clue means "this '''4''' is playable".


On average, this means 1 clue token per 1 playable card. No matter what variant you play, you will end up with roughly this number. (Worst: 5-player game, with players that have 4 cards in their hands, playing 5 colours. This gives 22 tokens for 25 cards = 0.88 clue token per card. Best: 2-player game, with players that have 6 cards in their hands, playing 6 colours. This gives 35 tokens for 30 cards = 1.17 token per card.)
== Cluing ==


The strategies below are based on an optimization of economical use of the clue-tokens. The strategies below are only the basic elements of the convention generally played at BGA. By combining them and using some logical extrapolations one can derive moves which are even more advanced. There are also groups of players on BGA and elsewhere who play with quite different convention sets, where each set has its advantages and downsides.
* '''Don't mark trash cards''' (a.k.a. "good touch" rule).
* Save unique cards as the first priority.
** Look ahead for unique cards on chop. ''Sometimes more than one player must help to save consecutive unique cards.''
* With few {{Hclue}}, work out which players need them.
* Consider how the receiver can interpret your clue.


== Basics ==
== Discarding ==


Before all other rules, every player must look at what cards they can see, and deduce what cards in a clue must be or cannot possibly be. Blindly following the other basic rules without checking for impossible cards will result in mistakes. This is critically important with the played and discarded cards, because everybody can see the same things, and so people will give clues knowing that you have this information. For example: if the played red stack is up to 3, and there is a red 2 in the discard pile, then you know that you cannot be holding a red 2, so when somebody gives you a clue of 2s, you should read it as "these cards are 2s which are not red" and think about whether that changes the way you interpret the clue. If you can narrow it down to one or two cards, the clue might mean something other than PLAY NOW.
* Trust your teammates to manage your cards.
* When there is nothing urgent to clue, don't be afraid to discard! Discarding is often the best move for the team.


This leads to '''Basic Rule #0''' (thinking).
== Playing ==
    '''After you receive a clue, look for every visible card of that type.'''
    '''Before following other rules, think about whether this changes the meaning.'''


If there isn't an obvious meaning to the clue, then continue. It is unlikely to be anything complicated.
* When multiple cards are marked, determine the focused card. ''Each clue only has one focused card.''
* Logically playable cards are marked at the earliest opportunity, so the leftmost card is assumed to be the focus of play clues ''(where no other cards are known to be playable)''.


The basic game plays with 50 cards: 10 for each colour. If you want to get the maximum score of 25 points, you need to play 25 cards. Some of the cards are left in the players hands at the end of the game. Depending on the number of players, this will be 8, 12, 12, or 15 (for 2p, 3p, 4p, and 5p respectively). This means in the entire game, there are 17, 13, or 10 cards that can be discarded for clues. You also get 8 clue tokens at the start and 4 useable clues from suite completion, making the total number of clues in the entire game 29, 25, or 22. This gives the logical conclusion that you can not clue the colour AND number for every card in your hand, because there are simply not enough clues.
== Triggering the final round ==


It is therefore paramount, that only useful cards are clued. If you mark a card that you know will not be played, it will cost another clue (-1) to make your team mate discard that card to gain a clue (+1), which is a net result of 0. If the card is not marked, your team mate will discard it eventually to gain a clue (+1), which is a net result of +1.
* Sometimes a specific player should draw the last card to maximise the score.
* Giving empty clues (e.g. "you have no red card") can help to manage which player draws last card.


{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Last card example
|body='''{{HCard|1|o=1|c={{r}}|b=#999}}''' {{Hr|5}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|3}} {{Hb|4}} {{Hw|5}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hr|3}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hg|1}}{{Hb|5|n=|c=}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hg|2}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hg|4|n=|c=}}{{Hg|5|n=|c=}} }}


This leads to '''Basic Rule #1''' (cluing).
* Alice and Bob both give empty clues ''e.g. "to Cathy: you have no white card"''.
* Cathy plays {{Hg|4}} and draws the last card.
* Alice discards, Bob plays {{Hb|5}} and Cathy plays {{Hg|5}}.
}}


Every card that is marked, is either
== Skip ==
    a) (a) useful card(s) to be saved (interpret it as HOLD TO PLAY LATER), or
    b) a useful card to be played (interpret it as PLAY NOW).
    Therefore: '''NEVER mark useless cards'''


Most hanabi-players on BGA play by this main rule. So when a clue is given, ask yourself "Is this clue to save something"? If not, it is to get played.
* When a player gives a clue that could have been given by one of the skipped players, it means '''the skipped players have a better move than to give the clue that was used to skip'''.
Saving cards is important because there are only 2 cards of value 2, 3, and 4 in each suit, and only 1 card of value 5. To not get stuck on that colour it is urgent to keep the last copy of a card safe (prevent from discarding it).
* Skipping should be avoided unless there is a good reason.


{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=A bad skip / steal
|body=​
* Alice skips Bob to clue Cathy red.
{{Hr}} {{Hy|3}} {{Hg|3}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|3}}
{{cardholder|Alice 🡲|cards={{Hr|2}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hw|1}}{{Hb|3}} }}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|1}}{{Hy|5}}{{Hw|5}}{{Hb|4}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|1|c=}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hw|3}} }}


The game interface puts every new card you draw on the left-hand side of your hand. This means, the left-most card is the newest card, which makes your right-most card automatically the oldest. If a card has been in your hand for a long time, and you have not been given a clue that marks it, it is logical that it is a useless card and safe to discard.
* If Alice discarded instead, Bob would have clued Alice red to finesse {{Hr|1}} and {{Hr|2}}.
}}


Potential reasons for skipping players:
* Clue-giver is '''locked''' ''i.e. all cards are marked without any immediate plays.''
* Gain tempo to '''play''' ''e.g. skipped player(s) all have playable cards.''
* Gain tempo to '''clue''' ''e.g. skipped player(s) must give a fix clue.''
* Avoid a bad '''clue''' ''e.g. mark cards with good touch.''
* Ensure a good '''clue''' ''e.g. mark cards with good touch.''
* Cause a '''discard''' ''e.g. of a playable card so that its copy can be marked with good touch, or of trash.''
* Avoid a '''discard''' ''e.g. a double discard, or of nice-to-have (non-unique) cards.''


Hence, '''Basic Rule #2''' (discarding).
{{infoBoxes |maxWidth=650
    '''Discard first what you know is useless (like a clued 1 when all 1s are already played).'''
|title1=A good skip example 1
    '''After that: discard your oldest (right-most) unclued card.'''
|body1={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw|1}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hy|2|n=}}{{Hw|2|n=}}{{Hr|2|n=}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hw|2}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hg|1}} }}


Note, that this rule is already a bit tricky. At the start of the game, every card can be considered equally old. This is where personal preference of players starts to matter.
* Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a blue clue so that a duplicate {{Hw|2}} is not marked.


Another result from the newest --> oldest order, is the interpretation of multiple marked cards. When you haven’t been clued a certain kind of clue (call it "X"), while there were tokens, and right after you draw a card, you receive a "X" clue on multiple cards including the newest and you can identify it as a play clue (see Basic Rule 1), you can logically deduce that the newest (left-most) card is the one to play. If an older card was "the playable card", it would probably have been clued earlier – provided you can identify your teammates did have the opportunity to give the same clue earlier. The logical conclusion must be that the card in the leftmost slot was the card your team have been waiting for (the "wait factor"), and you happened to draw it.
|title2=A good skip example 2
|body2={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw|1}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hy|2|n=}}{{Hw|2|n=}}{{Hr|2|n=}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hy|4}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hb|2}} }}


* Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a blue clue because Bob has let let {{Hb|2}} reach chop and does not want to mark it because he might hold a copy.
}}


'''Basic Rule #3''' (playing).
=== Additional interpretation ===
    '''If the wait factor is validated, play the newer (left-most) clued card'''


So most people on BGA expect you to ONLY play the clued card on the left. The rest of the cards are just to be kept on your hand. Beware that there are different approaches and not all players play by this convention.
An additional finesse convention is that skipped player(s) cannot discard.
* i.e. Alice can clue Cathy only if Bob has a play or should give another clue.
* If a skipped player has no marked playable cards and no good clue to give, they can blind play their newest, unmarked card.
* A clue-giver who causes unmarked play(s) purely from a skip is responsible for any misinterpretation.


'''Basic Rule #4''' (triggering end of game).
{{infoBoxes3 |maxWidth=650
|title1=Example 1: unambiguous skip play
|body1=​
* Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a '''1''' clue.


Once all cards have been drawn, each player has one more play, including the player who drew the last card. Therefore, it is often useful to delay the end of game by giving worthless or low-value clues instead of discarding.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hy|1}}{{Hy|2}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|2}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hw|2}}{{Hr|1|n=}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hr|4}} }}


== Basic Example ==
* Bob has no clue to give and no known play, so he '''blind plays his newest unmarked card'''.
* {{Hy|1}} does not connect to '''1''', so Cathy interprets Bob's move as a skip play and plays {{Hr|1}}.


Imagine the following starting situation:
|title2=Example 2: bluff
            (newest ... oldest)
|body2=​
  Alice: W1, Y1, B2, Y2, B2
* Alice to Cathy: this card is red.
  Barry:  G1, G1, W3, Y2, B1
  Carla:  B1, R4, W4, R3, G3


Alice can clue 1s to Barry. But that will mark both G1's, so it's not the best option. Better is for Alice to clue Carla 1s, or blue. (If BLUE-clue is given, then Carla will not worry about the B1 in Barry's hand that is about to be discarded. Both 1-clue or BLUE-clue only mark 1 card, so give equal information about the other cards in Carla's hand.)
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|1}}{{Hy|2}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|2}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hy|4}}{{Hr|3|c=}}{{Hw|3}}{{Hb|2}} }}


Barry will clue 1s to Alice. He knows that Carla prefers to play her 1. And Barry is the only person who can see that the 1s in both Alice's hand, and Carla's hand are different.
* Cathy now knows her marked card {{Hr|3}} is playable.
* Bob does not see the connecting {{Hr|2}}, so assumes he has to play it now.
* Bob does not have a marked card that could be {{Hr|2}}, so Bob '''blind plays his newest unmarked card'''.
* {{Hb|1}} successfully plays and the bluff is revealed.
* Before Bob played, Cathy thought her marked card was {{Hr|2}}.
* After Bob plays, Cathy knows her marked card is any valuable red ({{Hr|3}}, {{Hr|4}} or {{Hr|5}}).


Everyone will have to wait for B2 to be discarded, before the second B2 can be clued. Everyone will also have to wait for G1 to be discarded, before the second G1 can be clued. Alternatively, when R1 is drawn and clued, then both G1's may be clued, since all 1's will be played and all cards marked 1 can be safely discarded.
|title3=Example 3: lie
|body3=​
* Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a '''3''' clue.


So, the first four moves are:
{{Hr|2}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hy|1}}{{Hy|2}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|2}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hw|2}}{{Hr|3|n=}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hr|4}} }}


1. Alice clues BLUE to Carla (7 clue-tokens).
* Bob has no clue to give and no known play, so he '''blind plays his newest unmarked card'''.
* In this convention, {{Hy|1}} does not connect to '''3''', so Cathy interprets as a bluff and her '''3''' is not playable.
* This is a lie because {{Hr|3}} is playable.
* Instead, Alice should have discarded and allowed Bob to clue Cathy so that she knows her {{Hr|3}} is playable.
}}


2. Barry clues 1 to Alice (6 clue-tokens).
== 2 Player strategy ==


3. Carla plays B1 and draws R1.
==== <span style="color:{{r}};font:700 larger cursive;">Basic</span> ====


4. Alice plays W1 and draws G4.
# Marked cards are not discarded.
# Unique cards are saved.
# Saves are given as late as possible.
# Play clue focus is the leftmost card.
# All known playable cards are played before discarding ''(including '''5'''s with flamboyants)''.
# Marked trash cards are corrected.


The game now looks like this, with Barry to move:
==== ''<span style="color:{{g}};font:700 larger cursive;">Intermediate</span>'' ====
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice: G4, Y(1), B2, Y2, B2                  Played: R0, Y0, G0, B1, W1
  Barry:  G1, G1, W3, Y2, B1
  Carla:  R1, R4, W4, R3, G3                    Discarded: -


5. Barry clues RED to Carla.
# Playable first copies are clued.
# Playable cards marked with both colour and number will play first.
# Last {{Hclue|1}} is only used to mark a unique or playable chop.
# Off-chop saves for consecutive unique cards.
# Double discards can be avoided with a stall clue.
#* empty clue
#* splash that marks no new cards
# Cards are played in clued order.
# Plays that lead to other plays are prioritised.
# Lower ranked cards are prioritised.
# Unique cards are splashed.
# Black Powder: {{Hk|1}} is only marked on chop unless all other '''1'''s (or {{Hk|2}}) are already played.


There are two possible continuations from here.
==== ''<span style="color:{{m}};font:700 larger cursive;">Advanced</span>'' ====
'''Option 1'''


6. Carla plays R1 and draws Y5.
# Number clues that mark a non-unique chop are play clues.
#* e.g. with no '''3'''s discarded, play the left '''3'''.
# Black Powder: '''5'''s are marked with a playable {{Hk|5}} on chop. In a following turn the '''5''' to the left of {{Hk|5}} is marked with colour to play {{Hk|5}}.
# Before playing, a connecting card on chop can be marked.
# Flamboyants: consider not locking a hand with a 5 save.
# Avalanche: any card can be multicolor.
#* i.e. wait for negative multicolor on a {{Hr|5}} before playing as {{Hr|5}}.
# Scream discard = save the chop card (and move chop one slot to the left).
# 1-away from playable cards are splashed.
# Trash cards are discarded before being splashed.
# Already-marked trash cards are splashed.
# An early game '''4''' may be discarded.
# Black Powder: avoid discarding after an early game {{Hk|1}} or 5 save.
#* To allow consecutive {{Hk|1}} and colour 5 saves.


7. Alice plays Y1 and draws Y3.
=== Early game ===


8. Barry discards B1 and draws G2 (7 clues).
# At least {{Hclue|3}} are used before the first discard.
# Black Powder: {{Hk|5}} is marked first if it is the leftmost '''5'''.
# '''2'''s are marked next.
#* Black Powder: {{Hk|4}} is marked if there are no other '''4'''s.
# '''1'''s are marked next.
#* With multiple marked unknown '''1'''s in your hand, consider first playing your '''1'''s or marking '''1'''s individually with colour.


9. Carla clues 1 to Barry (6 clues).
=== Alternative strategy ===


10. Alice discards B2 and draws R4 (7 clues).
# '''Any card may be saved''', including non-unique cards.
# Cards marked with a number are only splashed with colour:
## If a previously unmarked card is playable.
## As a stall clue.


11. Barry plays G1 and draws B5.
{{infoBoxes3
|title1=Clued misplay example
|body1={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|3}} {{Hg|3}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|3}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|1}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hr|5}} }}
Discarded: {{Hr|4}}


12. Carla clues 2 to Alice (6 clues).
* There are no misfires.
* Alice needs to save {{Hr|5}} and {{Hr|4}}.
* Alice to Bob: these 3 cards are red.


And the game will look like this, with Alice to move:
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|3}} {{Hg|3}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|3}}
            (newest ... oldest)
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|1}}{{Hr|1|c=}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hr|4|c=}}{{Hr|5|c=}} }}
  Alice:  R4, Y3, G4, B(2), Y(2)                Played: R1, Y1, G1, B1, W1
Discarded: {{Hr|4}}
  Barry:  B5, G2, G(1), W3, Y2
  Carla: Y5, (R)4, W4, (R)3, G3                Discarded: B1, B2


'''Option 2'''
* Bob misfires {{Hr|1}} as {{Hr|2}}.
* Bob interprets this as a clued misplay to save the remaining red cards.


6. Carla clues 1 to Barry (5 clues). This move delays him playing the R1, but will make Barry more confident in discarding since he knows all the useless 1s.
|title2=Scream discard example
|body2={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|4}} {{Hg|2}} {{Hb|2}} {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|Alice 🡲|cards={{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack|5|{{y}}|n=|c=}} }}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hy|1}}{{Hg|5}}{{Hb|5}}{{Hw|5|n=}}{{Hr|5|n=}} }}


7. Alice plays Y1 and draws Y5.
* There are {{Hclue|0}} but Alice needs to save {{Hb|5}} ''and'' {{Hg|5}}.
* Alice discards her chop + 1 = 3rd slot while she has {{Hy|5}} to play.
* Bob expected Alice to play their known playable card.
* Bob knows Alice could have discarded her chop to save his chop.
* Bob interprets Alice's move as moving his chop two places from his 3rd slot to 1st slot.
* Bob now has two unmarked unique cards saved and discards {{Hy|1}}.


8. Barry plays G1 in slot 2 and draws Y3.
|title3=Positional misplay example
|body3={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|3}} {{Hg|3}} {{Hb|3}} {{Hw|3}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hr|1}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hr|3|n=|c=}}{{Hr|4|n=|c=}}{{Hr|5|n=|c=}} }}


9. Carla plays R1 and draws G2.
* There are {{Hclue|0}} and no misfires.
* Alice really wants {{Hr|2}} to play so that Bob can play all his marked cards.
* Alice blind plays her second slot and causes a misfire.
* Bob interprets this as a clue for him to play the same position in his hand.
}}


10. Alice discards B2 and draws R4 (6 clues).
{{infoBoxes
|title1=Splash correction example
|body1={{Hr|3}} {{Hy|2}} {{Hg|2}} {{Hb|2}} {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hr|4}}{{Hr|3|n=}}{{Hw|3|n=}}{{Hb|3|n=}}{{Hb|5|n=}} }}


11. Barry discards B1 and draws B5 (7 clues).
* Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are red.


12. Carla clues 2 to Alice (6 clues).
{{Hr|3}} {{Hy|2}} {{Hg|2}} {{Hb|2}} {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hr|4|c=}}{{Hr|3|n=|c=}}{{Hw|3|n=}}{{Hb|3|n=}}{{Hb|5|n=}} }}


And the game will look like this, with Alice to move:
* This marks {{Hr|4}} as playable and splashes {{Hr|3}} so that Bob knows it is trash.
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  R4, Y5, G4, B(2), Y(2)                Played: R1, Y1, G1, B1, W1
  Barry:  B5, Y3, G(1), W3, Y2
  Carla:  G2, (R)4, W4, (R)3, G3                Discarded: B2, B1


Both options are equally valid. They end up in the same situation, with only the cards in hands being in a different order. Since the cards are picked at random, there is no valid reason to say one option is better than the other.
|title2=Self prompt example
|body2={{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Alice 🡲|cards={{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}}{{HBack|1|{{r}}|c=}} }}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|4}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hr|2|c=}} }}


In both options, the 2-clue is given to Alice, to mark both 2s as playable. Since all 1s are played, all 2s will be playable.
* Bob to Alice: this card is red ⇨ {{Hr|1}}
Note that, in this game, two 1s where marked with one clue (and played); and two 2s were marked with one clue (and will be played). As stated in the beginning, there are a total of 21 clues (in this variant) to mark 25 cards. At this point in the game, there are 16 clues left to mark 18 cards. With only two more "efficient" clues, the game can end with a perfect score.
* Alice to Bob: this card is red ⇨ {{Hr|2}}
}}


== Advanced Moves ==
== Advanced moves ==


=== Play refusal ===
=== Discard clue ===


Sometimes you have a card to play but the next player’s chop card is critical and you have no tokens to tell them. So the only option you have is to discard your '''CHOP''' card, even when you know you have a playable card. This is a risky move, since your team mate(s) might expect you to play, instead of discard. ('''always try to give them a clue token to use or help them play their hand as fast as possible''').
* A discard clue marks known trash cards to prevent an unwanted discard (or misfire).
So the next player will think "if s-he had played I would have been forced to discard, since there were no tokens, so s-he doesn’t want me to discard, so I should keep my chop card."


=== Positional Discard ===
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Discard clue example
|body={{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw|1}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hr|1}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hy|3}} }}
Discarded: {{Hy|3}}{{Hw|4}}


Sometimes at the end of the game you will have no useful cards to play. You want to give a clue, but you have no remaining clue-tokens. In this case, you can discard the card in the same position as the card that you want that player to play.
* {{Hy|3}} and {{Hw|4}} need to be saved.
* If Alice gives a '''3''' clue, {{Hw|4}} might be discarded.
* Alice gives a '''1''' clue so that Bob discards {{Hr|1}} and {{Hw|1}} before his chop card.
}}


<code>
=== Play refusal ===
Example Positional Discard


All players have agreed on the convention that a colour-clue means PLAY the left-most marked card.
* Instead of playing, a player clues or discards their '''chop'''.
* The next player must consider if the play refusal is waiting for a potential reverse or if there are unique card(s) to save.


            (newest ... oldest)
=== Positional Discard ===
  Player 1:  XX, XX, XX, XX, XX                  Played: R5, Y5, G4, B5, W5
  Player 2:  ??, ??, ??, ??, ?3
  Player 3:  G5, B2, R4, B3, W1                  Discarded: -
</code>
In this example, when there are no clue-tokens left, Player 2 can discard their DRAW, to indicate to Player 3 the position of the last remaining playable card.
 
=== Hint to Discard ===
 
You can hint a player to discard specific cards in order to save multiple cards, to save cards without causing a confusion about finesse/reverse.
 
<code>
Example Hint to Discard
In this example, all 1s have been played already. Both the Y3 and the G4 need to be saved.
 
  Player 1: G1, R1, B4, Y3, G4
</code>
If Player 1 is given a 4-clue, the G4 will be saved, but the Y3 will be the new CHOP card. One option to save both Y3, and G4 is to give Player 1, a 1-clue. This would make the R1 the new CHOP card, and the G1 will be the next CHOP card.
 
Alternatively, you can give an empty clue to get the clued player to save two CHOP cards.
 
=== Double Save ===
 
This is an alternative solution if you are low on clue-tokens, or don't have enough players to execute multiple saves in a row.
 
<code>
Example Double Save
In this example, W1 has not been played yet. Both the Y3 and the G4 need to be saved.
 
  Player 1: G1, R1, B4, Y3, G4
</code>
This situation is similar as the Hint to Discard. However, in this situation a 1-clue will be interpreted as PLAY G1 (which isn't playable). To save both Y3 and G4, an empty clue can be given to Player 1 (either 2 or 5 or white in this situation). This will cause them to wonder why you would be wasting a clue to give no information, and find out it must be because cluing normally would enable you to save one CHOP card, not two. So it costs 1 clue-token for 2 saves, but gives you no information about the saved cards.
 
----
 
'''2P GAMES'''<br>
With 2 players, you are limited in your options. Therefore the gameplay is different from 3+P games.
 
----
 
'''3+P GAMES'''<br>
 
=== Prompt ===
A prompt can clarify (an) already marked card(s) to be played as well as mark the next card to play.
 
<code>
Example Prompt
 
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  XX, XX, XX, XX, XX                  Played: R0, Y1, G0, B2, W0
  Barry:  ??, ??, ??, ?2, ?5
  Carla:  Y3, G5, R4, B3, W1                  Discarded: -
</code>
 
Alice gives a yellow-clue to Carla, marking Y3 as PLAY. Barry sees that the Y3 is ALMOST playable. This means that Barry has the LOGICAL in-between step: Barry has to play Y2. In this case, the Y2 is not on the DRAW card. The logical place for that card is the already marked 2. So Barry can assume that his card between his CHOP and the 5 is the Y2.
 
=== Finesse ===
This advanced move can get you 2 cards into play, with only 1 clue-token. You do this, by marking an ALMOST playable card as playable. Someone else will have to play the LOGICAL in-between step, to make the card genuinely playable.
 
<code>
Example Finesse (#1)
 
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice: ??, ??, ??, ??, ??                  Played: R0, Y0, G0, B0, W0
  Barry:  ??, ??, ??, ??, ?5
  Carla:  G5, B2, R4, R3, W1                  Discarded: -
</code>
 
Alice gives a blue-clue to Carla, marking B2 as PLAY. Barry sees that the B2 is ALMOST playable. This means that Barry has the LOGICAL inbetween step: Barry has to play B1. The only logical place for that card is at the '''LEFT-MOST POSITION''' so Barry can assume that the '''DRAW''' card is the playable B1. If it was somewhere else in your hand, the card would have been clued earlier. '''Note: for the in-between player, a prompt always has priority over a finesse; if a player has a marked card that can be the in-between card, they should play it.'''
 
<code>
Example Finesse (#2)
 
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  ??, ??, ??, ??, ??                  Played: R0, Y1, G2, B0, W1
  Barry:  Y2, R1, R1, G5, W5
  Carla:  XX, XX, R2, XX, XX                  Discarded: G4, R3
</code>
 
Alice gives a 5-clue to Barry, saving W5 and G5 from being discarded. Barry sees nothing of interest in the hand of Carla, so discards his CHOP (R1) and draws R4. Carla gives a setup for Alice by marking Y2 with a yellow-clue. The game now looks like this:
<code>
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  ??, ??, ??, ??, ??                  Played: R0, Y1, G2, B0, W1
  Barry:  R4,*Y2, R1, G5*,W5*
  Carla:  XX, XX, R2, XX, XX                  Discarded: G4, R3, R1
</code>
 
Alice can't give a red-clue to Barry, because this would cause Barry to bomb with r4. Instead, Alice now gives a red-clue to Carla, marking R2 as PLAY. Barry sees that the R2 is ALMOST playable. This means that Barry has the LOGICAL inbetween step: Barry has to play R1. Barry knows that R1 can only be at the DRAW position, or at the middle position. Since Alice deliberately let Barry discard a playable R1 the round before, Barry concludes that he was already holding a second R1 at the time. Therefore, the LOGICAL place for the R1 to be, is at the middle position; NOT the DRAW position.
 
=== Bluff ===
This works the same as finesse. Only this time, the LOGICAL inbetween step, is a different playable card, so the player is tricked. It is slightly less strong than finesse, because it gives 1 play + 1 save for 1 clue-token.
 
<code>
Example Bluff
 
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  XX, XX, XX, XX, XX                  Played: R0, Y3, G1, B1, W0
  Barry:  W1, B3, R4, B2, G5
  Carla:  ??, ??, R?, ??, ??                  Discarded: -
</code>
 
Alice gives a red-clue to Carla, marking it as PLAY. Barry sees that the R2 is ALMOST playable, so applies finesse logic and plays his DRAW card. Much to Barry's surprise, he has not played R1, but W1 (which was also playable). Because Carla saw Barry playing his DRAW, which was a different colour than the clue he received, Carla knows it was a bluffed finesse situation. She concludes that her red card is R2, and saves it for later.
 
=== Reverse ===
This works the same as finesse. Only this time, the LOGICAL inbetween step, is a different players hand. This also gets 2 plays for 1 clue-token, but takes longer than a normal finesse.
 
<code>
Example Reverse
 
            (newest ... oldest)
  Alice:  XX, XX, XX, XX, XX                  Played: R2, Y0, G2, B1, W0
  Barry:  ??, ??, W?, G3, ??
  Carla:  W1, B2, R4, B3, G5                  Discarded: -
</code>
 
Alice gives a white-clue to Barry, marking it as PLAY. However, Barry sees that the DRAW card of Carla is a playable card of the same colour. Therefore, Barry may assume that it is (reversed) finesse, and that his white MIGHT be W2, nearly playable. Barry decides to then first play his G3, which is a safer option for the moment, and see how Carla reacts. Carla recognises the (reversed) finesse play, and plays her DRAW card to play the W1.
 
 
''Having the optimal player draw the last card (endgame)''
 
At the end of the game, the person who draws the last card (which happens either by playing or discarding) triggers the end of the game. After the last card is drawn, each player receives exactly one more turn. Sometimes near the end of the game you will want a specific player to play or discard in order to get the last turn. Giving an unusable clue can prevent a player from drawing the last card and begin the last round.
 
<code>
Table:
<br />'''1 card remaining in deck - Your turn'''
<br />R Y G B W M
<br />5 5 3 4 5 5
 
XX|XX|B5 - me
 
??|??|?3 - you


Y1|G4|G5 - 3rd player
* In the endgame when you can see all remaining playable cards, you can use a positional discard to communicate the slot position in another hand.
</code>
* Typically used with {{Hclue|0}} or where trash cards make it awkward to clue the target.


In this situation, assume everyone knows where the remaining playable cards are. Instead of discarding in this situation, you want the 3rd player be the one to play and draw the last card. Give any clue to prevent triggering the endgame so that 3rd player can play G4 triggering the endgame and then in their last turn play the G5.
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Positional discard example
|body={{Hr|5}} {{Hy|5}} {{Hg|4}} {{Hb|5}} {{Hw|5}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hg|5}}{{Hb|2}}{{Hr|4}}{{Hb|3}} }}


== Strategies for 2-Player games ==
* Alice discards '''slot 1'''
'''Strategy #1'''
* Bob plays '''slot 1''' ⇨ {{Hg|5}}
}}


Pro's: Easy to execute<br>
=== Long finesse ===
Con's: Double discard possible for 4s. Easy to get the hands locked.<br>


''Guidelines''<br>
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
1. Number-clue means “save all the cards that were marked by this clue”. Try to give save-clues as late as possible.
|title=Long finesse example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Bob: this card is a 4.


2. Non-unique 2s and 3s must be saved as much as possible. (Try to avoid double saves if possible.) Uniques should always be saved.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hw|4|n=}}{{Hg|1}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hw|3}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}}{{Hy|1}} }}


3. Colour-clues mean “play the newest card that was marked by this clue”. Other cards that are marked by the clue may be discarded when not previously marked by a number-clue.
* Bob has been given a play clue and does not see a playable card in any hand, so Bob blind plays his draw card.
* {{Hw|1}} successfully plays.
* Cathy sees that Bob has {{Hw|2}} in front of {{Hw|4}} but {{Hw|3}} is missing, so Cathy knows she must play {{Hw|3}} at the correct moment.
* Cathy discards, Alice discards and Bob blind plays his 2nd slot {{Hw|2}}.


4. If more than 5 clue-tokens are available, discarding unknown cards should be avoided, but known useless cards may be discarded freely.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw|2}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|5}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hw|4|n=}}{{Hg|1}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hy|2}}{{Hw|3}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}} }}


5. If there is only 1 clue-token available, colour-clues may be given only
* Cathy blind plays her 2nd slot {{Hw|3}}.
a. If it leads to two or more plays in a row.
* Alice discards and Bob plays the marked {{Hw|4}}.
b. If the playable card is on CHOP.
}}


6. A colour-clue may re-mark a card that’s already marked by a number if:
=== Layered finesse ===
a. It also marks a previously unmarked card that is playable. (Either immediately, or immediately after playing the card that was marked with a number.)
b. As a stall-clue (see 7).


7. When just 2 of the hand-slots are filled with non-saved cards, that player should try to avoid discarding two turns in a row (including the turn after the save-clue that leads to this state).
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Layered finesse example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are blue.


8. If a clue is given while avoiding discarding twice in a row: guideline 4 no longer applies; also stall clues may be given:
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb}} {{Hw|4}}
a. A colour-clue that re-marks a saved card, without marking an unmarked card. For example to indicate an accidental double save, or to clarify a playable card.
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|2|c=}}{{Hb|5|c=}}{{Hy|1}}{{Hg|1}} }}
b. An empty-clue: a clue that marks none of the cards. This can be used to convey information on multiple playable cards.
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|2}}{{Hy|2}}{{Hb|1}}{{Hg|1}} }}
c. A 5-clue. If 5a and 5b are not possible, a re-clue on the 5s is allowed.


9. Nearing the end of the game, when the number of saved cards in all the hands + the number of cards in the deck is equal to the number of card that need to be played to get the maximum (possible) score, discarding should be avoided as much as possible - so stall clues may be given, non-unique 4s may be saved, etc.
* Bob sees a playable {{Hb|1}} in Cathy's hand, layered behind other playable cards {{Hr|2}} and {{Hy|2}}.
* Bob discards and Cathy blind plays for {{Hb|1}}. {{Hr|2}} successfully plays.
* Cathy knows this cannot be a bluff because Bob would not discard unless he sees a playable {{Hb|1}} in Cathy's hand.
* So Cathy knows she is promised {{Hb|1}} and keeps playing each slot from left to right until her {{Hb|1}} is played.
}}


'''Strategy #2'''
=== Trash bluff ===


Pro's: Guarantees a score of 28+<br>
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
Con's: Easy to get the hands locked.<br>
|title=Trash bluff example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Cathy: this card is a '''1'''.


''Guidelines''<br>
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw}}
The game is divided into three stages:
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|2}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hr|4}} }}
  1. The Early game: The first 3 or 4 moves of the game.
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|1|n=}}{{Hw|2}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|5}} }}
  2. The Mid game: Everything that's not early or late game.
  3. The End game: The last moves, starting from the point where the number of "saved cards" + deck = maximum achievable score.


''Early game''<br>
* Bob must act now to prevent a misfire of {{Hr|1}}.
In the early game, the goal is to 'sort' the hand cards into "old" cards and "new" cards. Since all cards are equally old in the beginning, it is unclear which cards are relevant, and which aren't. In order to do so, players follow these guidelines:
* Bob blind plays {{Hb|2}}.
* Cathy knows Bob would not blind play for a playable '''1''', so Cathy now knows that her '''1''' is trash and this was a ''trash bluff''.
}}


1. Players are not allowed to discard before 3 clue-tokens are spent.
=== Finesse bluff ===


2. After the early game, the right-most unclued cards will be considered "old" and therefore discardable. So the focus of the clues in the early game should be to save the valuable three right-most cards.
* If the following two players both have a playable finesse position, you may be able to perform a finesse bluff.
* The first blind play connects to the target.
* The second blind play does not connect to the target.


3. 1s should be marked with colour as much as possible.
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Finesse bluff example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Donald: this card is white.


4. A 1-clue should only be given when it marks three or more unique 1s.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hb|4}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|1}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hg|3}} }}
{{cardholder|Donald 🡲|cards={{Hr|4}}{{Hw|3|c=}}{{Hy|3}}{{Hb|2}} }}


5. 4-clues should only be given, when the 4 is blocking a colour-clue in the future. Cards marked with 4 in the early game should be discarded in the mid game.
* Bob blind plays {{Hw|1}}.
* Donald now thinks his white card is {{Hw|2}}.
* Cathy must act now to prevent a misfire of {{Hw|3}}.
* Cathy blind plays {{Hr|1}}.
* With two blind plays, Donald now knows his white is {{Hw|3}} and this was a ''finesse bluff''.
}}


''Mid game''<br>
=== Double bluff ===
In the mid game, the goal is to play as many playable cards as possible, and save as many useful cards as possible. In order to do so, players follow these guidelines:


1. Players will be as efficient as possible with clue-tokens. Re-marking cards (spending a clue-token that gives MORE information on a saved card) is highly discouraged.
* If the following two players both have a playable finesse position, you may be able to perform a double bluff.


2. All 2s, 3s and 5s must be saved, even when the 2s or 3s are not unique.
{{infoBox |maxWidth=700
|title=Double bluff example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice can bluff Bob's {{Hw|1}} with a blue clue to Donald.
* '''Instead''': Alice to Donald: this card is a 2.


3a. Any clue means "play the newest, PREVIOUSLY UNMARKED, card". With the exception of a SAVE-clue, or a correction-clue.
{{Hr}} {{Hy}} {{Hg}} {{Hb}} {{Hw}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hw|1}}{{Hy|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hb|4}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|1}}{{Hw|4}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hg|3}} }}
{{cardholder|Donald 🡲|cards={{Hr|3}}{{Hw|3}}{{Hy|3}}{{Hb|2|n=}} }}


3b. A card can be saved in four possible ways:
* Bob blind plays {{Hw|1}}
I. A number-clue that marks the CHOP card.
* Without colour, Donald thinks his '''2''' is {{Hw|2}}.
II. A colour-clue that marks a PLAY card, and in addition marks another card of the same colour.<br> This other card is saved.
* Cathy must act now to prevent a misfire of {{Hb|2}}.
III. A SCREAM discard. When player 1 can play a card, but chooses to discard instead, it is called a SCREAM discard.<br> This signals to player 2 that their CHOP card must be saved.<br> It is recommended that player 2 spends the token, in case they have a long chain of cards that need saving.
* Cathy blind plays {{Hr|1}}.
IV. A deliberate misplay. When player 1 gives player 2 a PLAY-clue, that causes player 2 to BOMB.<br> Player 2 knows to SAVE all the cards OLDER than the card that was used to bomb.
* With two blind plays, Donald now knows his '''2''' is not {{Hw|2}} or {{Hr|2}} and this was a ''double bluff''.
}}


3c. When a useless card is marked as SAVE, it is desired to give a correction-clue. This re-marks the card, indicating its uselessness. Preferably, this shouldn't mark any other cards. When it does, the clue is a PLAY-clue with the correction as an additional benefit.
=== Promise bluff ===


4. Double discarding (discarding a card that could be the same card that was just discarded), is not allowed.
'''This move only applies to 1-away-from-playable bluff interpretations.'''
* Promise bluffs give more information than regular bluffs, as they ''promise'' the necessary connecting cards to make the clued bluff target 1-away-from-playable. These connecting cards must be either marked or unmarked in finesse position.


5. Play-clues shouldn't be given when there are 3 or less clue-tokens available, except when it leads to more than 1 PLAY.
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Promise bluff example
|body=&ZeroWidthSpace;
* Alice to Cathy: this card is white.


6. When a player has only two unmarked cards in their hand (all other slots are filled with SAVES), then this player should keep discarding to a minimum.
{{Hr|1}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|1}} {{Hb|1}} {{Hw|1}}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|2}}{{Hw|3}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hr|4}} }}
{{cardholder|Cathy 🡲|cards={{Hr|1}}{{Hw|4|c=}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hy|5}} }}


7. When a player has only one unmarked card in their hand, then this player is forbidden to discard two turns in a row.
* Bob must act now to prevent a misfire of {{Hw|4}}.
* Bob blind plays {{Hb|2}} and the bluff is revealed.
* Cathy sees Bob's {{Hw|3}} was in finesse position behind {{Hb|2}}, so now knows that her marked card is '''either''' {{Hw|4}} or {{Hw|3}}.
* Bob knows that for the bluff target to be a valid 1-away-from playable, he is also promised {{Hw|3}} in his slot 2.
}}


''End game''<br>
=== Empty clue double save ===
In the end game, the goal is to get the last remaining cards sorted in the correct hands, to maximise the score. This is achieved, by following these guidelines:


1. Discarding is highly discouraged. If there are enough clue-tokens, then stall-clues should be given.
* With not enough {{Hclue}} or turns to save consecutive unique cards, an empty clue can save two chop cards.


2. Playable cards must be prioritised based on the number of plays it unlocks. This way the number of SAVED cards in hands is minimised.
{{infoBox |maxWidth=650
|title=Double save example
|body={{Hr|2}} {{Hy|1}} {{Hg|2}} {{Hb|2}} {{Hw|1}}
{{cardholder|Alice 🡲|cards={{HBack}}{{HBack|2|{{w}}|n=|c=}}{{HBack}}{{HBack}} }}
{{cardholder|Bob 🡲|cards={{Hb|2}}{{Hr|2}}{{Hg|4}}{{Hy|3}} }}
Discarded: {{Hy|3}}{{Hg|4}}


3. It is recommended that both players keep at least one 5 in their hand. This way, in the last turn, both players can make a final move.
* {{Hy|3}} and {{Hg|4}} need to be saved.
* If Alice gives a '''3''' clue, {{Hg|4}} might be discarded.
* A '''2''' clue will cause a misfire of {{Hb|2}}.
* Alice gives an empty clue (e.g. '''1''' or '''5''' or white).
* Bob knows that if Alice did not play her {{Hw|2}}, this empty clue must mean something.
* Bob does not have a playable card and knows Alice could have saved his chop card with this clue token.
* Bob interprets this as 'do not discard two chop cards' and discards {{Hr|2}}.
}}

Latest revision as of 08:46, 11 February 2024

Refer to Game Help Definitions

Thinking

  • Check visible cards, including played and discarded to determine the focus and the meaning of a clue.
    • e.g. you are given a 2 clue. You see
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      was played and the second
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      is in another hand. Therefore the clue means "2s which are not red".
    • e.g. you are given a 4 clue that marks only your chop. You see no 4s have been discarded and no 4s on the chop of the players next to you. Therefore the clue means "this 4 is playable".

Cluing

  • Don't mark trash cards (a.k.a. "good touch" rule).
  • Save unique cards as the first priority.
    • Look ahead for unique cards on chop. Sometimes more than one player must help to save consecutive unique cards.
  • With few ​clue tokens, work out which players need them.
  • Consider how the receiver can interpret your clue.

Discarding

  • Trust your teammates to manage your cards.
  • When there is nothing urgent to clue, don't be afraid to discard! Discarding is often the best move for the team.

Playing

  • When multiple cards are marked, determine the focused card. Each clue only has one focused card.
  • Logically playable cards are marked at the earliest opportunity, so the leftmost card is assumed to be the focus of play clues (where no other cards are known to be playable).

Triggering the final round

  • Sometimes a specific player should draw the last card to maximise the score.
  • Giving empty clues (e.g. "you have no red card") can help to manage which player draws last card.
Last card example
card1
,with a
card1clue,
red5
,with a
red5clue,
yellow5
,with a
yellow5clue,
green3
,with a
green3clue,
blue4
,with a
blue4clue,
white5
,with a
white5clue,
red3
,with a
red3clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
green1
,with a
green1clue,
blue5
,with a
blue5clue,
Bob 🡲
green2
,with a
green2clue,
red1
,with a
red1clue,
green4
,with a
green4clue,
green5
,with a
green5clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • Alice and Bob both give empty clues e.g. "to Cathy: you have no white card".
  • Cathy plays
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    and draws the last card.
  • Alice discards, Bob plays
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    and Cathy plays
    green5
    ,with a
    green5clue,
    .

Skip

  • When a player gives a clue that could have been given by one of the skipped players, it means the skipped players have a better move than to give the clue that was used to skip.
  • Skipping should be avoided unless there is a good reason.
A bad skip / steal
​
  • Alice skips Bob to clue Cathy red.
red​
,with a
red​clue,
yellow3
,with a
yellow3clue,
green3
,with a
green3clue,
blue3
,with a
blue3clue,
white3
,with a
white3clue,
red2
,with a
red2clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
white1
,with a
white1clue,
blue3
,with a
blue3clue,
Alice 🡲
blue1
,with a
blue1clue,
yellow5
,with a
yellow5clue,
white5
,with a
white5clue,
blue4
,with a
blue4clue,
Bob 🡲
red1
,with a
red1clue,
white4
,with a
white4clue,
white4
,with a
white4clue,
white3
,with a
white3clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • If Alice discarded instead, Bob would have clued Alice red to finesse
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    and
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    .

Potential reasons for skipping players:

  • Clue-giver is locked i.e. all cards are marked without any immediate plays.
  • Gain tempo to play e.g. skipped player(s) all have playable cards.
  • Gain tempo to clue e.g. skipped player(s) must give a fix clue.
  • Avoid a bad clue e.g. mark cards with good touch.
  • Ensure a good clue e.g. mark cards with good touch.
  • Cause a discard e.g. of a playable card so that its copy can be marked with good touch, or of trash.
  • Avoid a discard e.g. a double discard, or of nice-to-have (non-unique) cards.
A good skip example 1
red1
,with a
red1clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
green1
,with a
green1clue,
blue1
,with a
blue1clue,
white1
,with a
white1clue,
white1
,with a
white1clue,
yellow2
,with a
yellow2clue,
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red2
,with a
red2clue,
Bob 🡲
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red1
,with a
red1clue,
blue2
,with a
blue2clue,
green1
,with a
green1clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a blue clue so that a duplicate
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    is not marked.
A good skip example 2
red1
,with a
red1clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
green1
,with a
green1clue,
blue1
,with a
blue1clue,
white1
,with a
white1clue,
white1
,with a
white1clue,
yellow2
,with a
yellow2clue,
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red2
,with a
red2clue,
Bob 🡲
yellow4
,with a
yellow4clue,
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red1
,with a
red1clue,
blue2
,with a
blue2clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a blue clue because Bob has let let
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    reach chop and does not want to mark it because he might hold a copy.

Additional interpretation

An additional finesse convention is that skipped player(s) cannot discard.

  • i.e. Alice can clue Cathy only if Bob has a play or should give another clue.
  • If a skipped player has no marked playable cards and no good clue to give, they can blind play their newest, unmarked card.
  • A clue-giver who causes unmarked play(s) purely from a skip is responsible for any misinterpretation.
Example 1: unambiguous skip play
​
  • Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a 1 clue.
red​
,with a
red​clue,
yellow​
,with a
yellow​clue,
green​
,with a
green​clue,
blue​
,with a
blue​clue,
white​
,with a
white​clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
yellow2
,with a
yellow2clue,
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red2
,with a
red2clue,
Bob 🡲
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red1
,with a
red1clue,
blue2
,with a
blue2clue,
red4
,with a
red4clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • Bob has no clue to give and no known play, so he blind plays his newest unmarked card.
  • yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    does not connect to 1, so Cathy interprets Bob's move as a skip play and plays
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    .
Example 2: bluff
​
  • Alice to Cathy: this card is red.
red1
,with a
red1clue,
yellow1
,with a
yellow1clue,
green1
,with a
green1clue,
blue​
,with a
blue​clue,
white​
,with a
white​clue,
blue1
,with a
blue1clue,
yellow2
,with a
yellow2clue,
white2
,with a
white2clue,
red2
,with a
red2clue,
Bob 🡲
yellow4
,with a
yellow4clue,
red3
,with a
red3clue,
white3
,with a
white3clue,
blue2
,with a
blue2clue,
Cathy 🡲
  • Cathy now knows her marked card
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    is playable.
  • Bob does not see the connecting
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    , so assumes he has to play it now.
  • Bob does not have a marked card that could be
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    , so Bob blind plays his newest unmarked card.
  • blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    successfully plays and the bluff is revealed.
  • Before Bob played, Cathy thought her marked card was
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    .
  • After Bob plays, Cathy knows her marked card is any valuable red (
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    ,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    or
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    ).
Example 3: lie
​
  • Alice skips Bob to give Cathy a 3 clue.
    • red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    yellow​
    ,with a
    yellow​clue,
    green​
    ,with a
    green​clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    yellow2
    ,with a
    yellow2clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    Bob 🡲
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Bob has no clue to give and no known play, so he blind plays his newest unmarked card.
    • In this convention,
      yellow1
      ,with a
      yellow1clue,
      does not connect to 3, so Cathy interprets as a bluff and her 3 is not playable.
    • This is a lie because
      red3
      ,with a
      red3clue,
      is playable.
    • Instead, Alice should have discarded and allowed Bob to clue Cathy so that she knows her
      red3
      ,with a
      red3clue,
      is playable.

    2 Player strategy

    Basic

    1. Marked cards are not discarded.
    2. Unique cards are saved.
    3. Saves are given as late as possible.
    4. Play clue focus is the leftmost card.
    5. All known playable cards are played before discarding (including 5s with flamboyants).
    6. Marked trash cards are corrected.

    Intermediate

    1. Playable first copies are clued.
    2. Playable cards marked with both colour and number will play first.
    3. Last 1clue tokens is only used to mark a unique or playable chop.
    4. Off-chop saves for consecutive unique cards.
    5. Double discards can be avoided with a stall clue.
      • empty clue
      • splash that marks no new cards
    6. Cards are played in clued order.
    7. Plays that lead to other plays are prioritised.
    8. Lower ranked cards are prioritised.
    9. Unique cards are splashed.
    10. Black Powder:
      black powder1
      ,with a
      black powder1clue,
      is only marked on chop unless all other 1s (or
      black powder2
      ,with a
      black powder2clue,
      ) are already played.

    Advanced

    1. Number clues that mark a non-unique chop are play clues.
      • e.g. with no 3s discarded, play the left 3.
    2. Black Powder: 5s are marked with a playable
      black powder5
      ,with a
      black powder5clue,
      on chop. In a following turn the 5 to the left of
      black powder5
      ,with a
      black powder5clue,
      is marked with colour to play
      black powder5
      ,with a
      black powder5clue,
      .
    3. Before playing, a connecting card on chop can be marked.
    4. Flamboyants: consider not locking a hand with a 5 save.
    5. Avalanche: any card can be multicolor.
      • i.e. wait for negative multicolor on a
        red5
        ,with a
        red5clue,
        before playing as
        red5
        ,with a
        red5clue,
        .
    6. Scream discard = save the chop card (and move chop one slot to the left).
    7. 1-away from playable cards are splashed.
    8. Trash cards are discarded before being splashed.
    9. Already-marked trash cards are splashed.
    10. An early game 4 may be discarded.
    11. Black Powder: avoid discarding after an early game
      black powder1
      ,with a
      black powder1clue,
      or 5 save.
      • To allow consecutive
        black powder1
        ,with a
        black powder1clue,
        and colour 5 saves.

    Early game

    1. At least 3clue tokens are used before the first discard.
    2. Black Powder:
      black powder5
      ,with a
      black powder5clue,
      is marked first if it is the leftmost 5.
    3. 2s are marked next.
      • Black Powder:
        black powder4
        ,with a
        black powder4clue,
        is marked if there are no other 4s.
    4. 1s are marked next.
      • With multiple marked unknown 1s in your hand, consider first playing your 1s or marking 1s individually with colour.

    Alternative strategy

    1. Any card may be saved, including non-unique cards.
    2. Cards marked with a number are only splashed with colour:
      1. If a previously unmarked card is playable.
      2. As a stall clue.
    Clued misplay example
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    green3
    ,with a
    green3clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    Bob 🡲     Discarded:
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    • There are no misfires.
    • Alice needs to save
      red5
      ,with a
      red5clue,
      and
      red4
      ,with a
      red4clue,
      .
    • Alice to Bob: these 3 cards are red.
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    green3
    ,with a
    green3clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    Bob 🡲     Discarded:
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    • Bob misfires
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
      as
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      .
    • Bob interprets this as a clued misplay to save the remaining red cards.
    Scream discard example
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow4
    ,with a
    yellow4clue,
    green2
    ,with a
    green2clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    5clue,
    Alice 🡲
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green5
    ,with a
    green5clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    white5
    ,with a
    white5clue,
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • There are 0clue tokens but Alice needs to save
      blue5
      ,with a
      blue5clue,
      and
      green5
      ,with a
      green5clue,
      .
    • Alice discards her chop + 1 = 3rd slot while she has
      yellow5
      ,with a
      yellow5clue,
      to play.
    • Bob expected Alice to play their known playable card.
    • Bob knows Alice could have discarded her chop to save his chop.
    • Bob interprets Alice's move as moving his chop two places from his 3rd slot to 1st slot.
    • Bob now has two unmarked unique cards saved and discards
      yellow1
      ,with a
      yellow1clue,
      .
    Positional misplay example
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    green3
    ,with a
    green3clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • There are 0clue tokens and no misfires.
    • Alice really wants
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      to play so that Bob can play all his marked cards.
    • Alice blind plays her second slot and causes a misfire.
    • Bob interprets this as a clue for him to play the same position in his hand.
    Splash correction example
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    yellow2
    ,with a
    yellow2clue,
    green2
    ,with a
    green2clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are red.
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    yellow2
    ,with a
    yellow2clue,
    green2
    ,with a
    green2clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • This marks
      red4
      ,with a
      red4clue,
      as playable and splashes
      red3
      ,with a
      red3clue,
      so that Bob knows it is trash.
    Self prompt example
    red​
    ,with a
    red​clue,
    yellow​
    ,with a
    yellow​clue,
    green​
    ,with a
    green​clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    1clue,
    Alice 🡲
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    yellow4
    ,with a
    yellow4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • Bob to Alice: this card is red ⇨
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
    • Alice to Bob: this card is red ⇨
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,

    Advanced moves

    Discard clue

    • A discard clue marks known trash cards to prevent an unwanted discard (or misfire).
    Discard clue example
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    Bob 🡲     Discarded:
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    • yellow3
      ,with a
      yellow3clue,
      and
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      need to be saved.
    • If Alice gives a 3 clue,
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      might be discarded.
    • Alice gives a 1 clue so that Bob discards
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
      and
      white1
      ,with a
      white1clue,
      before his chop card.

    Play refusal

    • Instead of playing, a player clues or discards their chop.
    • The next player must consider if the play refusal is waiting for a potential reverse or if there are unique card(s) to save.

    Positional Discard

    • In the endgame when you can see all remaining playable cards, you can use a positional discard to communicate the slot position in another hand.
    • Typically used with 0clue tokens or where trash cards make it awkward to clue the target.
    Positional discard example
    red5
    ,with a
    red5clue,
    yellow5
    ,with a
    yellow5clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    white5
    ,with a
    white5clue,
    green5
    ,with a
    green5clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    blue3
    ,with a
    blue3clue,
    Bob 🡲
    • Alice discards slot 1
    • Bob plays slot 1 ⇨
      green5
      ,with a
      green5clue,

    Long finesse

    Long finesse example
    ​
    • Alice to Bob: this card is a 4.
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    Bob 🡲
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Bob has been given a play clue and does not see a playable card in any hand, so Bob blind plays his draw card.
    • white1
      ,with a
      white1clue,
      successfully plays.
    • Cathy sees that Bob has
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      in front of
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      but
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      is missing, so Cathy knows she must play
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      at the correct moment.
    • Cathy discards, Alice discards and Bob blind plays his 2nd slot
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      .
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    Bob 🡲
    yellow2
    ,with a
    yellow2clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Cathy blind plays her 2nd slot
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      .
    • Alice discards and Bob plays the marked
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      .

    Layered finesse

    Layered finesse example
    ​
    • Alice to Bob: these 2 cards are blue.
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    blue5
    ,with a
    blue5clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    Bob 🡲
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    yellow2
    ,with a
    yellow2clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Bob sees a playable
      blue1
      ,with a
      blue1clue,
      in Cathy's hand, layered behind other playable cards
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      and
      yellow2
      ,with a
      yellow2clue,
      .
    • Bob discards and Cathy blind plays for
      blue1
      ,with a
      blue1clue,
      .
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      successfully plays.
    • Cathy knows this cannot be a bluff because Bob would not discard unless he sees a playable
      blue1
      ,with a
      blue1clue,
      in Cathy's hand.
    • So Cathy knows she is promised
      blue1
      ,with a
      blue1clue,
      and keeps playing each slot from left to right until her
      blue1
      ,with a
      blue1clue,
      is played.

    Trash bluff

    Trash bluff example
    ​
    • Alice to Cathy: this card is a 1.
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    yellow4
    ,with a
    yellow4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    Bob 🡲
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    white2
    ,with a
    white2clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    yellow5
    ,with a
    yellow5clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Bob must act now to prevent a misfire of
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
      .
    • Bob blind plays
      blue2
      ,with a
      blue2clue,
      .
    • Cathy knows Bob would not blind play for a playable 1, so Cathy now knows that her 1 is trash and this was a trash bluff.

    Finesse bluff

    • If the following two players both have a playable finesse position, you may be able to perform a finesse bluff.
    • The first blind play connects to the target.
    • The second blind play does not connect to the target.
    Finesse bluff example
    ​
    • Alice to Donald: this card is white.
    red​
    ,with a
    red​clue,
    yellow​
    ,with a
    yellow​clue,
    green​
    ,with a
    green​clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    yellow4
    ,with a
    yellow4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    blue4
    ,with a
    blue4clue,
    Bob 🡲
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    green3
    ,with a
    green3clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    Donald 🡲
    • Bob blind plays
      white1
      ,with a
      white1clue,
      .
    • Donald now thinks his white card is
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      .
    • Cathy must act now to prevent a misfire of
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      .
    • Cathy blind plays
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
      .
    • With two blind plays, Donald now knows his white is
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      and this was a finesse bluff.

    Double bluff

    • If the following two players both have a playable finesse position, you may be able to perform a double bluff.
    Double bluff example
    ​
    • Alice can bluff Bob's
      white1
      ,with a
      white1clue,
      with a blue clue to Donald.
    • Instead: Alice to Donald: this card is a 2.
    red​
    ,with a
    red​clue,
    yellow​
    ,with a
    yellow​clue,
    green​
    ,with a
    green​clue,
    blue​
    ,with a
    blue​clue,
    white​
    ,with a
    white​clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    yellow4
    ,with a
    yellow4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    blue4
    ,with a
    blue4clue,
    Bob 🡲
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    green3
    ,with a
    green3clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    red3
    ,with a
    red3clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    Donald 🡲
    • Bob blind plays
      white1
      ,with a
      white1clue,
    • Without colour, Donald thinks his 2 is
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      .
    • Cathy must act now to prevent a misfire of
      blue2
      ,with a
      blue2clue,
      .
    • Cathy blind plays
      red1
      ,with a
      red1clue,
      .
    • With two blind plays, Donald now knows his 2 is not
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      or
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      and this was a double bluff.

    Promise bluff

    This move only applies to 1-away-from-playable bluff interpretations.

    • Promise bluffs give more information than regular bluffs, as they promise the necessary connecting cards to make the clued bluff target 1-away-from-playable. These connecting cards must be either marked or unmarked in finesse position.
    Promise bluff example
    ​
    • Alice to Cathy: this card is white.
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green1
    ,with a
    green1clue,
    blue1
    ,with a
    blue1clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    white3
    ,with a
    white3clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    red4
    ,with a
    red4clue,
    Bob 🡲
    red1
    ,with a
    red1clue,
    white4
    ,with a
    white4clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    yellow5
    ,with a
    yellow5clue,
    Cathy 🡲
    • Bob must act now to prevent a misfire of
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      .
    • Bob blind plays
      blue2
      ,with a
      blue2clue,
      and the bluff is revealed.
    • Cathy sees Bob's
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      was in finesse position behind
      blue2
      ,with a
      blue2clue,
      , so now knows that her marked card is either
      white4
      ,with a
      white4clue,
      or
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      .
    • Bob knows that for the bluff target to be a valid 1-away-from playable, he is also promised
      white3
      ,with a
      white3clue,
      in his slot 2.

    Empty clue double save

    • With not enough ​clue tokens or turns to save consecutive unique cards, an empty clue can save two chop cards.
    Double save example
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    yellow1
    ,with a
    yellow1clue,
    green2
    ,with a
    green2clue,
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    white1
    ,with a
    white1clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    2clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    card back​
    ,with a
    clue,
    Alice 🡲
    blue2
    ,with a
    blue2clue,
    red2
    ,with a
    red2clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    Bob 🡲     Discarded:
    yellow3
    ,with a
    yellow3clue,
    green4
    ,with a
    green4clue,
    • yellow3
      ,with a
      yellow3clue,
      and
      green4
      ,with a
      green4clue,
      need to be saved.
    • If Alice gives a 3 clue,
      green4
      ,with a
      green4clue,
      might be discarded.
    • A 2 clue will cause a misfire of
      blue2
      ,with a
      blue2clue,
      .
    • Alice gives an empty clue (e.g. 1 or 5 or white).
    • Bob knows that if Alice did not play her
      white2
      ,with a
      white2clue,
      , this empty clue must mean something.
    • Bob does not have a playable card and knows Alice could have saved his chop card with this clue token.
    • Bob interprets this as 'do not discard two chop cards' and discards
      red2
      ,with a
      red2clue,
      .
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