8 the Liar
8 the Liar Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
- 72 number cards (8 suits of 9 cards, numbered 0-8)
- 8 Player cards
- 24 Liar chips
Summary
8 the Liar is a bluffing game in which the first player to get rid of his or her cards wins. Each hand played must add up to 8, and a player can play as many cards as they wish during their turn. However, the cards are played facedown, allowing each player the opportunity to bluff by playing an illegal hand. Each player also has 3 Liar chips that allow them to call another player's bluff. Player must use all their cards as well as all their chips in order to win.
Setup
Each player chooses 3 colored Liar chips and a player card to match. If a player runs out of Liar chips, a player card can be used as a chip.
4-8 players: Deal out the cards evenly to each player. Remove extra cards from play.
2 to 3 players: Deal 18 cards to each player. Remove extra cards from play. (Alternately, deal out the entire deck, although this will result in a lot of cards in each player's hand.)
Instructions
The player whose birthday is closest to 8/8 goes first.
When it is their turn, a player lays their cards face down out in front of them on the table and calls out "8". (Try saying "8" in a different language for each hand, and don't be afraid to say it with character — this makes the game more fun!) Each player may throw as many cards as they wish, keeping in mind that each hand is supposed to add up to 8. As each new hand is played, be sure not to mix the cards with cards that have already been played.
Once a player has laid their cards on the table and called "8", the other players have a chance to call their bluff. Only if a player is called out as a liar are the cards flipped over and their sum total verified. If no-one calls their bluff, the cards are left on the table, and play continues in a clockwise direction.
To call another player out as a liar, slap a Liar chip in the center of the table and call "Liar!" (Again, try saying it in a different language each time, as this adds to the fun!) The first person to slap a Liar chip or a player card is the caller. Only one person can be the caller per hand. Once a player has been called a liar, he or she turns over the cards just played. If the total of the cards does not add up to 8, the player who threw the cards picks them up along with all the rest of the cards on the table. If the total of the cards does add up to 8, the player who called "Liar!" picks up the cards just played as well as all the rest of the cards on the table. Play then resumes in the same order (no matter who called "Liar!").
If there are 8 or more cards in the center of the table and no one calls "Liar!", all of the cards are removed from play. (Note: This rule has a major strategic influence!)
To win, a player must play all of their cards as well as all of their Liar chips.
Strategy
Try to play your Liar chips early so you can concentrate on your cards.
If a player goes out, one of the other players should call "Liar!" — otherwise, the player who lays their last cards is guaranteed to win. For this same reason, when you do go out, be sure your hand adds up to 8 — otherwise, if you are called a liar, you will have to pick up all the cards on the table!