Last modified March 11, 2025 by jarjar

Overview
This game, which takes up Texas Hold'em, introduces a collaborative variant, where we must succeed in collectively classifying, in ascending order, the value of the hands of all the players, but without sharing information on our cards. The bluffing part of this card game is replaced here by an evaluation of its ranking compared to the other players, from the weakest hand to the strongest. This ranking is done by fetching a single poker chip, per round, representing our thoughts on the ranking (from 1 to 5 for a game with 5 players for example). Once the cards are revealed, the selection of chips is done simultaneously and we can of course steal each other's chips if we think we have a better or worse hand than the other players! After the 4 rounds, we reveal our hands (only the last ranking counts), and if we have succeeded in the ranking, an event card adds a small challenge for the next round, otherwise it is an event that comes to help us. We must win 3 rounds to succeed. The more players there are, the more difficult it is.

A poker hand consists of five cards. There are 2 598 960 possible combinations of five cards from a 52-card deck.

First impressions
This is a brilliant idea and a lot of fun! I enjoy playing poker (I guess it comes from my dad), and having the option to play collaboratively is a really fun and refreshing flavor!
The exchanges and the challenge offered by the game are interesting. A lot of fun during our first games, which makes us want to start again. As in poker, there is a lot of observation of behavior to choose the ranking of your hand. Someone who quickly takes the highest chip in the ranking probably has a very strong hand for example, so observation and speed (whereas, normally in competitive play speed is not a strategy) are as important as understanding probabilities.

Now the question on everyone's mind: do you need to know poker to play and enjoy it?
Absolutely not, on the contrary it is a good game to learn poker. This game also allows people who are less skilled at poker to acquire additional knowledge, since after a round, we take the time to discuss the result, taking the time to review the ranking. It is therefore very educational for non-regulars. Generally, after a few rounds, everything becomes clearer and more natural!

GAME FACTS
>> Sad news, one of the authors of this game, Kory Heath, took his own life on November 18, 2024, after having “endured years of chronic pain and depression,” according to John Cooper, who designed The Gang with Kory. A nice article on his contribution to the gaming world is available here.
>> The authors, John and Kory, were part of a group that met regularly at a friend's house in Michigan. They invented this game at one of those get-togethers, which was reportedly an immediate hit with the group.
>> Even though the game is limited to 6 players maximum, it would play very well with 7 and 8 players, you just need to add poker chips.

Suggestions for variations
Since this game uses a simple 52-card deck, and the goal is to rank all the hands correctly, this system can certainly be used with other poker variants. Here are some of the variants that are offered in an exclusive promotional expansion that was distributed at the last Gen Con:

1. Seven Card Stud
All players are dealt 3 cards face down, then everyone is dealt 4 cards face up, one at a time, and we make the best 5-card hand with our 7 cards. The feedback on this variation is excellent!

2. Omaha Poker
All players are dealt 4 cards, face down. Five community cards are dealt face up on the "board". In Omaha games, all players match exactly three of the five community cards with exactly two of their own cards to form the best five-card poker hand. This is a variation that seems to be well-liked in the community.

3. Banana split
All players are dealt 2 cards, face down. There are no community cards in the center. During rounds 2, 3, and 4, the cards are dealt to each player. At the end of the game, there will be 3 cards on each side of each player. Players must form the best 5-card deck using 8 cards (2 in their hand and the 6 available on each side).

TECHNICAL SHEET
Number of games played: 6
Best player configuration: 4-6
Level: family +

MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
  I loved :
>> This communication system with poker chips, brilliant!
>> These event cards add interesting little twists to the dynamics of the game.
>> Accessible to those who do not know poker, even educational.
>> Well written rulebook with many examples, good game aid.
>> Beautiful production, although quite simple.

I liked less :
>> Nothing to note, other than we would like more event cards and more poker chips.

The perfect score for this innovative, brilliant and very fun poker game! Everyone loves it and asks for more!

FUN FACTOR :):):):):)