Knights Poker
Knights Poker Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- Game board x1
- Castle pieces x3
- Knight tiles x30
- Tile stands x2
- Bag x1
- Rulebook x1
Preparation
- Put all the Knight tiles in the bag and mix it well.
- Each player draws 4 Knight tiles from the bag and places them on their tile stand.
- Line up the three Castle pieces in the middle of the board.
How to Play
Starting with the first player, perform steps 1 and 2, then alternate players.
- Place Knight tiles: Choose one of the four Knight tiles on your stand and place it face up in front of any of the Castle pieces on your side.
- Draw a Knight Tile: Pull a Knight tile from the bag and place it on your tile stand.
Note: Up to 3 Knight tiles can be placed in each column (per side).
How to Win
Once each player has placed three Knight tiles in each of their columns, compare the strength of your hands. The player that has the strongest hand takes the Castle. The player that takes two or more Castles wins!
The winner of a column is determined in the following order:
- The strength of the hand (see "Hand Strength" below).
- The sum of all tiles.
- The speed with which the hand is complete.
Note: If the numbers are the same, the side with the highest sum wins. Note: If the numbers are the same and the sum is equal, the first player to make the hand wins.
Scoring Variant
The game is repeated over several rounds to determine the winner by points. At the end of a round, the player earns points based on the strength of their winning hands (see "Hand Strength" below). The first player to reach 1000 points wins. If both players reach 1000 or more points on the same round, the player who won the round wins (even if the other player has more points).
Types of Knight Tiles
- 5 colors
- 1-6 each
- 30 tiles
Hand Strength
From strongest to weakest:
- Straight Flush (200 points): Same color and sequential. Example: red 1, red 2, red 3.
- Three of a Kind (170 points): All the same number. Example: purple 1, yellow 1, green 1.
- Flush (150 points): All the same color. Example: red 2, red 4, red 5.
- Straight (120 points): Sequential numbers. Example: green 1, blue 2, yellow 3.
- Sum (100 points): Largest sum. Example: blue 4, purple 5, green 4.
Note: If the numbers are the same, the side with the highest sum wins. Note: If the numbers are the same and the sum is equal, the first player to make the hand wins.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to place the Knight tiles in consecutive order to form a Straight?
A: No, it doesn't matter which order you place them in. For example, if you place the tiles in the order "3, 1, 2", you form a Straight.
Q: There is a column in which I can prove that my opponent can't win no matter what they place (and I placed three tiles first). Can they still place a Knight tile there?
A: Yes, you may place three Knight tiles in each column. However, they may surrender if all the remaining columns are known to be unwinnable.
Q: I made a Flush of red 1, red 3, and red 5, and my partner made a Flush of blue 2, blue 4, and blue 6 later in the row. Which player takes the Castle in this case?
A: The winner of a column is determined in the following order: 1) the strength of the hand, 2) the sum of all tiles, and 3) the speed with which the hand is complete. In this case, "1+3+5=9" and "2+4+6=12", which means the opponent takes the Castle. If the opponent had a Flush of blue 1, blue 3, and blue 5, the sum is equal, so the first player to finish their hand takes the Castle.
Safety Caution
Contains small parts. Choking and swallowing hazard. Never put in the mouth. Never give to children under 3 years old. Risk of fire, deformation, and deterioration. Do not place in hot, humid places. Do not bring near fire or hot objects. Do not get wet with water.
Translated from the Japanese caution printed on the rulebook's component page.