Cockroach Poker Party Game | Bluffing Strategy Card Game for Adults and Kids | Ages 8+ | 3-6 Players | Average Playtime 15-25 Minutes

I have a favorite saying from one of my nephews that games regularly with us and it's this. "I always tell the truth.....unless I'm lying." That phrase typically comes up at most of our monthly gaming sessions, and when bluffing games are a regular part of your group's plays you know many things about your group. In general, they are all a bunch of dirty liars, you can’t trust any of them, you know that one of them smiles ever so slightly when they are trying to pull one over on you, and lastly they will always look forward to a new bluffing game. Because of those things Cockroach Poker came to find its forever home in a corner of our gaming shelf with many of the other games that focus on bluffing.This game is incredibly tense yet ultimately satisfying for as simple as it is. Players need only take a card from their hand, slide it across the table towards another player and declare for example, “This is a scorpion.” The real game started moments before when you locked eyes with that player and they smiled as they slid that card towards you, an amount of tension developed and your heart quickened as you wondered why they selected you as their target. Now you are on the spot and have to decide what to do, the pressure is on and you have to begin sorting out the intricacies of a game where all that has occurred is card was given to you.The biggest component in this game is not the delightfully drawn cards featuring rats, scorpions, spiders, or cockroaches, it is the players seated around the table with you. The same friends and family who an hour previous were your partners in a cooperative game, are now staring you down with a smirk you wouldn’t have thought possible from them. Cockroach Poker develops all of its hilarity, deception, trickery, anxiety, and cheers of success directly from all of you, and this is utterly brilliant and pleasing on a level often not reached by other bluffing games.It thrives on a bit of chaos which develops in the room as players shuffle cards back and forth, trying to force other players to accumulate 4 of one kind of insect represented in the deck. However, the goal is not to win this game, no, the goal is to force another player to lose. This creates an atmosphere that is ripe with mistrust and sneaky tactics where you will eventually lose faith in anyone’s ability to tell the truth and that may eventually be your own downfall.This is of course all in good fun; the amusingly drawn characters on the cards make them pleasant and fun to pass around. It is never bad when you make an incorrect choice, or even lose the game. Someone’s sneaky smirk from seconds before erupts into shared laughter between everyone playing when someone has to take a card. The unique goal of not winning but instead forcing someone to lose is a refreshing change from most games as well. You will feel the pressure each time you must decide whether to accept or pass a card, or find secret relief when you notice a pattern developing that is aimed at a player other than you. There is a larger game at play in the background between players as alliances are formed and a common goal can be achieved by working together.This plays well with higher player counts, can be enjoyed, laughed about and a great time had by players age 6-99. You can set the tone for game to be silly and fun for new or younger players and a bit more confrontational when you’re among a group who plays bluffing games often together. It is easy to enjoy any style of play with Cockroach Poker, and in the case of my dear nephew who is always telling the truth except when he lies, well buddy, I guess I’ll get you next time…..maybe!

This is an amazing card game that has a ton of different ways you can play.First, I want to say thanks to the anime "After School Dice Club" for introducing me and my daughter to this game.It looked fun in the anime and we both can say that it is a fun and funny game to play as a family.The standard rules for this game are really simple to play which meant that our 5yr old could join in.For my kids nothing is better then being able to bluff their "know it all" dad.I am shocked how good they are at bluffying, this might foreshadow to future issues as a parent.The cartoon's on the cards are both creepy and cool. We appreciate the fact that each bug is designed differently, for example all the rat cards have a different expression.What makes this card game so amazing for us as a family is the fact that you can easily play alternative versions using the deck.Honestly the game just doesn't get stale.We were able to modify the game several times to allow for some crazy versions.If anyone is interested. One version we like we named it"Scaredy bug"We lie all the cards face down and each of us (5 people) claim a weakness to a bug.We each take turns randomly picking up one of the face down cards.Your job is to pick up 7 cards without getting one of the bugs you have a weakness to. You are eliminated if you collect 2 bugs that you have a weakness too.Last person standing wins.Another version is called"Exterminator"We lie all the cards face down and each of us choose a bug to exterminate.We each take turns randomly picking up one of the face down cards--but no one else is allowed to see the card you pick up.If the card does not have your bug you must put it back face down.If the card has your bug you hold it in your hand face out so we can verify that it is your bug.Your job is to pick up all 6 cards that have your bug.First person to get all 6 wins.All in all, a very great game that is simple to play but has tons of options for how to play.

Played at Office christmas party...Really fun

When I first read through the instructions for this game, there was so little to it that I didn't think that the game would provide enough entertainment to justify its cost. I was wrong. Once it gets going, you can see some basic strategies take shape.It most definitely is about bluffing and trying to NOT collect sets of cards. Although I have only played this with three people at the present, I strongly believe that this game will shine at higher player counts. It is truly meant for a group of people. The hilarity that ensues once you begin accumulating cards in front of you is contagious.This game has no winner. It only has one loser. So, it does not take itself seriously. There is something funny about the use of bugs on the cards. Just playing a game that requires you to say "this is a cockroach" makes you laugh. The game length could be very short, but it can also stretch to a point where the tension becomes palpable. That is the scenario where the game reaches its zenith.If you have a small group that is getting together to have some fun, this will undoubtedly be a winner. Don't underestimate the fun that such a set of simple instructions can provide.