Cockroach Poker Review
Like a spider, I spend too much time on the web researching the latest board game releases. It is all too easy to shift the focus of my reviews to the shiny and new. However, every now and then, I like to look at a game I have been enjoying for a long time and add a review of it to my blog.
Cockroach Poker was released in 2004, and with so many new board and card game releases every year, that date makes it feel like it falls into the ‘Classic’ category. As I am over double the age of Cockroach Poker, I don’t know how I fell about that!
Anyway, it may not be the latest hotness, but here is my review of the card game, Cockroach Poker.
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Setup
Well set up couldn’t be easier. Shuffle and deal out all 64 cards equally among the players. If you’re playing at two, you need to remove 10 random cards before dealing.
Gameplay
The aim of the game is to not lose, which sounds weird when I write it, but there is one loser and all other players share the victory. So you really don’t want to be the loser! You lose by collecting four of the same type of card, or running out of cards in your hand.
The active player will offer up a card from their hand face down to another player stating which of the eight critters is on the card, truthfully or not. Then the receiving player then has two options, to accept the card and state whether it is the critter stated, or not, or to look at the card and pass it on.
If the receiving player accepts the card and is correct in their deduction it returns to the issuing player and it remains in front of them face up. If they are wrong in their deduction the player has to place it in front of themselves face up. Remember, four matching face up cards in front of you will make you the loser. Whoever receives the card starts the next round, thus getting closer to shedding all their cards, also a bad thing!
If the player decides to pass it on, then they get to look at the card, and pass it on face down to another player stating what critter is depicted on the card, it could be the same as the player before them or different and again, could be the truth, or a lie. The receiving player gets the same options of accepting the card or passing it along, unless every other player has seen the card and in that instance they must make a deduction instead for obvious reasons.
That is really all you need to know to play Cockroach Poker!
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What it’s like
Cockroach Poker can pretty much be summed up as a pure bluffing game and with the right crowd it can be totally hilarious too.
It is light enough to lure in those new to modern board games, as well as younger players, but as a quick little game it is still plenty of fun for those more experienced players too, if they are willing to give in to its light-hearted nature.
Groans echoed by squeals of schadenfreude are heard whenever I play this card game, and I have played it a lot! It is very simple, but towards the end of the game, trying to get someone to collect a fourth card when they are already on three adds extra excitement.
That isn’t to say that Cockroach Poker is for everyone. Having one ultimate loser is mean, and the game could escalate into an onslaught on a single player if they show weakness. For me, this means that the spirit of the game has been sidelined for a determination to win.
I really wouldn’t recommend this game at two, the two player variant just isn’t worthwhile exploring. At three to six players it is great, although four or five players is probably its sweet spot.
One thing that bemuses me slightly, is that other than bluffing and a deck of cards, there is very little to do with poker, so in that regard the name of the game could mislead some.
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Table Presence
I’ve always enjoyed the German title of this game ‘Kakerlaken Poker’. I don’t know why I share that with you, but I have.
You get 64 cards in the box, which is appropriately sized. The cards all have clear iconography in the corners to determine which animal they are, and is handy as each card carries unique artwork.
I really love the characterful depictions of the animals and the colour palette used. I have always been tempted to sleeve them, the price of the game doesn’t really warrant it, but any marks can really ruin the game, so I can see why some would.
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What the kids thought
Max (10): It’s a really fun, quick game with funky art!
George (14): Cockroach Poker is one of my favourite games to play with friends. I really like identifying a lie from the truth, it is satisfying when I catch someone else out!
Harrison (17): This is a great travel and party game that is excellent for playing with people who don’t play board games. It’s a super simple bluffing game that’s still very good!
Final thoughts on Cockroach Poker
I absolutely love playing Cockroach Poker. It is silly fun and is probably the purest form of bluffing you will encounter in any game. Of course, that isn’t going to appeal to everyone, but most people I have introduced this to have enjoyed it, not only that, kids really love the concept.
There may not be oodles of strategy, but Cockroach Poker delivers fun, and I am grateful for the hilarity it has often provided at the table. It is one that I would always take with me on holiday too.
Key Facts
Number of players: 2 to 6
Board Game Review Recommended Age: 7+
Publisher’s Recommended Age: 8+
Playing Time: 20 minutes
Setting Up and Take Down Time: 1 minute
Designers: Jacques Zeimet
Publisher: Drei Magier Spiele
RRP: £10.99
Summary
Cockroach Poker is pure bluffing fun. While that core mechanic may not be for everyone, I know a heck of a lot of people that have gone on to buy a copy after playing it with me!
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Artwork and Components
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Complexity
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Instructions
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Interaction
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Value for Money
Overall
Pros
- Fantastic family fun
- Simple Rules
- Pure bluffing
- Travel size
- Good at higher player counts
Cons
- Only one loser
- Shared victory
- Cards may need to be sleeved
- The critters on the cards may not appeal to all
- Not two player as per the box
Need more games?
If you already own Cockroach Poker and enjoy it, or are looking for other inspiration, you might also like these similar games:
- Flip 7
- No Thanks
- Prey Another Day
- Skull
Buy Cockroach Poker
If you want to buy this card game after reading our review click on one of our affiliate links below (note there has been no affiliate links until this point)
Reviewer’s Note
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