Fiasco (2003)

About this game

Fiasco describes itself as a recently discovered card game thought to date from the Italian Renaissance of the late-1450s. Fiasco distinctively incorporates six suits representing symbols of power and wealth and features the legendary character Fiasco. A game for advanced card players, Fiasco is easy to learn but a challenge to master. First, select your favorite suit. Choose from horses, swords, mandolins, roses, books or treasure chests. Now do your best to collect them all. Play high cards to win the pot and accumulate points. But here’s the twist: Playing high cards also gives your opponents the opportunity to hit you with Fiasco penalty cards. Avoid the danger by laying low, but lose the chance to win your points.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 6.
• Rules load. At 1.2/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.