How to play bluff (cheat): rules and scoring
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Bluff, also known as cheat or I doubt it, is a card game where you play your cards face down and say what they are, truthfully or not. This guide covers the rules of bluff on Boombala and how it is scored.
Deck and deal
A standard 52-card deck without jokers, all of it dealt. Three to six players; when the cards don't divide evenly, some players get one more. The deal moves one seat each hand and the player next to the dealer starts.
Playing a round
- The opener names a rank (A, 2 … 10, J, Q, K) and plays one to four cards face down: "two sevens".
- After every play everyone at the table has a few seconds (the table picks 1, 3, 5 or 7): the first to call "Bluff!" turns the last play over.
- Once the time is up, the next player plays one to four more cards claiming the same rank, or passes.
- The cards don't have to be what you say; you may lie.
Calling bluff
The last play is turned over. If every card is the rank claimed, the caller was wrong and picks up the whole pile. If any card is not, the lie is caught and the player who made it picks up the pile. Either way the round ends and whoever was right starts the next one.
When everyone passes
If everyone after the last play passes in a row, the pile is put aside face down, out of the hand. The last player to play starts a new round with any rank.
The end of a hand
Playing your last cards doesn't win straight away: the others still have their time to call bluff. If nobody calls in time, or the call is wrong, the hand is over. If the lie is caught, the player picks up the pile and the hand goes on.
Scoring
| Result | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Emptied their hand | 0 |
| Everyone else | 1 per card still held |
A table plays 3, 5 or 7 hands; penalties add up and after the last hand the lowest total wins. Ties share the win.
Example
Ali starts with "two sevens" but plays a 7 and a 3. Ayşe holds three sevens, so she knows it's a lie and calls bluff. The cards are turned over and the 3 shows: Ali picks up the two cards and Ayşe starts the next round.
Tips
- There are four of every rank: if your cards plus the claim make more than four, it's a lie for sure.
- The bigger the pile, the costlier a wrong call, and a caught lie.
- Calling bluff on someone's last cards is usually worth it: if you let it go, the hand is over.