How to play
The deck has 16 cards numbered 1 to 8. One is put aside unseen at the start of each round (with two players, three more are laid out face up). Everyone holds one card.
On your turn, draw a card, then play one of your two and do what it says. If you’re knocked out, you sit out the rest of the round. The round ends when only one player is left, or when the deck runs out: then the highest card wins (a tie goes to whoever played the highest total). The round’s winner takes a feather. First to 5 feathers wins with two players, 4 with three, 3 with four or five.
The cards
- 1 Heron (×5): Name a card other than the Heron. If the player you pick holds it, they’re out.
- 2 Owl (×2): Look at another player’s card.
- 3 Swan (×2): Compare cards with another player. Whoever’s is lower is out.
- 4 Reed (×2): Hide in the reeds: nobody can pick you until your next turn.
- 5 Otter (×2): Pick any player (you too). They throw away their card and draw a new one.
- 6 Fox (×1): Swap cards with another player.
- 7 Goose (×1): Does nothing, but you must play it if your other card is the Otter or the Fox.
- 8 Duchess (×1): If you throw this away, for any reason, you’re out.
Tips
Keep track of what’s been played: the Heron is far more likely to hit when you know there are only a couple of cards left it could be. The Owl’s peek sets up a sure Heron next turn, and anyone holding a high card late in the round is a target for the Swan.
Playing together
Seat two to five players in any mix of people and computer players. On one device, pass it round so each person sees only their own card. In Play online (when it’s available) everyone plays on their own phone, and what the Owl shows you is for your eyes only.