How to play Courtisans, a quick, cutthroat card game.
Watch the Video
Read the Rules
The aim of the game
To win, score the most points, by collecting courtiers from houses esteemed by the Queen.
To set up
- Layout the queens table and Shuffle the courtier cards
- In a 5 player game use all, for 4 players remove 6, for 3 remove 18 and for 2 remove 30.
- Deal each player 3 cards face down and put the rest nearby to form a draw pile
- Give each player 2 secret mission cards, one blue and one white and put the rest away.
- Don’t show your cards to anyone!
- Finally, choose a starting player.
To play the game
On your turn you’ll play all 3 cards, 1 to the Queen’s table, 1 to you and 1 to an opponent, then draw back up to 3.
You must always play all 3 cards, 1 to each location.
Cards in front of you will be scored at the end of the game, cards at the table will decide whether that house scores positively or negatively.
If there’s more above the table that house is esteemed, you’ll score a point for each card of that colour you own. If there’s more below, they've fallen from grace and you’ll lose a point for each!
Some cards are special:
- Nobles, marked by a crown count as 2 cards
- Spys, marked by a mask, are placed faced down and may not be looked at. If played to the Queen’s table, place it above or below the centre.
- Assassins, marked by the dagger, may be used to remove a card from the game in the area they’re placed. If placed at the table, they can remove any card above or below, from any row. Assassins can remove spies, but do not flip them over if you do.
- Guards, marked by a shield, cannot be assassinated.
Game end
Take it in turns, placing 3 cards and then drawing 3 more until every card has been placed. Then scoring begins.
First, flip over any spies, placing any above or below the table to their corresponding house.
Next, determine each family's status, remembering nobles count as 2. If there’s more above the family is esteemed, if there’s more below they've fallen from grace. If it’s equal, they’re neutral.
Score 1 point for each card you own of an esteemed family and lose 1 point for each card you own whose family has fallen from grace. Neutral families score nothing.
Finally, score 3 points extra for any of your secret missions you completed.
Whoever has the most points wins! If it’s a tie, share the victory.
That’s Courtisans, may the cards forever be placed in your favour… Enjoy!