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Posh Pond

Bid for treasures, dodge the disgraces

Play the computer

Computers:

Cards come up for auction one at a time. Bid with your money cards for treasures and Crowns; for a disgrace, the first to pass is stuck with it. When the fourth red card turns up the game ends: the player with the least money left is out, and the poshest of the rest wins.

Not in the same room? Play online while you talk on a call, each on your own phone.

More info

How to play

  • Everyone starts with the same eleven money cards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20 and 25 (106 in all).
  • Sixteen status cards come up for auction one at a time: treasures worth 1 to 10, three Crowns that double your status, and three disgraces: Mud Splash (lose your lowest treasure), Old Hat (-5) and Gossip (halve your status).
  • On your turn, add money cards to your bid so it beats the highest bid, or pass. You can’t take cards back from your bid or make change.
  • For a treasure or Crown, passing takes your money back and drops you out of that auction. The last bidder left pays and takes the card.
  • For a disgrace it’s the other way round: the first to pass takes the card and their money back, and everyone else pays what they bid.
  • Crowns and Gossip have red edges. When the fourth red card turns up, the game ends at once without an auction.
  • Then whoever has the least money left is out. The highest status among the rest wins; ties go to more money left.

Tips

Big treasures are worth more after a Crown, so a Crown early is a bargain. Count the red cards: with three out, the next card could end the game, and the player who spent most needs to stop. Bidding a little on a disgrace can push someone else into taking it.