Skull
- Players
- 3-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.1 / 5
- Year
- 2011
About the game
Skull (also known as Skull & Roses) is a pure bluffing game where players secretly place cards and build up bids about how many roses they can flip without revealing a skull. Each player plays face-down cards in turn, and eventually someone bets they can safely reveal a certain number of cards; rivals may raise the bid before the highest bidder must deliver. Read your opponents' poker faces to win, since two successful high-stakes bids claims the game.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team considers Skull one of the purest and sharpest bluffing games in the hobby, requiring nothing but cards and a knack for reading faces. Its simplicity belies real psychological depth, making every escalating bid genuinely tense. It's a fantastic pick for groups who love mind games over dice or luck.
What we like
- Purely skill- and psychology-based bluffing with no luck of the draw.
- Extremely quick to teach and play, ideal for filling time.
- Tense escalating bidding creates real table drama.
- Compact, portable components make it perfect for any occasion.
Keep in mind
- Player elimination can leave some players out before the game ends.
- Limited depth for groups seeking strategic complexity.
Who it's for
Great for social and party gamers aged 10+ who enjoy bluffing and reading opponents; best with 4-6 players.
