Interceptor
Interceptor Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
16 Identical Cards (Documents/Money)
Setup
Deal each player 4 cards.
Players pair up and decide which team will be the Officials and which will be the Journalists.
Each team meets in secret and agrees upon one signal for "Documents" and one for "Money." The signals can be words, noises, gestures, or other signals perceptible to all players. Teams may not decide on any other tactics (such as a pre-determined series of plays).
Example: "For Documents, I will scratch my head." "For Money, I will take a sip of my drink."
The players sit with teammates facing each other across the table.
The Officials decide which Official will be the first round's Leader.
Gameplay
The game consists of a number of rounds wherein each player attempts to play a symbol that matches their teammate's symbol. Additionally, the Journalists try to uncover the conspiracy by matching the Officials' symbols while the Officials try to evade them by playing the opposite of the Journalists' symbols.
Whenever a team keeps their cards or wins cards from the other team, they distribute those cards between themselves however they choose and place those cards into their hands.
If each player still has at least one card in their hand, gameplay continues with the role of Leader switching between the Officials each round (Journalists are never the Leader).
Playing One Round
First Official (Leader)
The Officials player chooses whether to send Documents or Money to their teammate. They place one card face down with the chosen end away from them. They must also give the corresponding signal on their turn, either before or after playing their card.
Second Official
The Officials teammate now attempts to match the Leader's symbol, and places one card face down with the chosen end away from them.
First Journalist
The player to the left of the Leader chooses Documents or Money, places their card face down with the chosen end away from them, and gives the corresponding signal.
Second Journalist
The last player attempts to match their teammate's symbol, and places one card face down with the chosen end away from them.
Outcome
After everyone has played a card, each player simultaneously flips their card face up without otherwise changing its orientation.
If all players MATCH their teammates:
The Journalists win if they match The Officials. The Officials discard their 2 cards.
The Officials win if the Journalists do not match them. The Journalists discard their 2 cards.
If a player DOESN'T MATCH their teammate:
The team that did not match gives their 2 cards to the other team.
If all players DON'T MATCH their teammates:
Players discard all 4 cards played this round.
Intercepting
At any time, a player with one or more cards in hand may call out "Interceptor!" and guess one of the other team's signals.
If they correctly guess the signal and the symbol it represents, their team wins the game.
If they guess incorrectly, they must discard one card from their hand.
Winning the Game
If a player has no cards in hand at the end of a round, their team loses the game and the other team wins the game.
If players from both teams have no cards at the end of a round, the game ends in a tie.
If a player correctly Intercepts one of their opponents' signals, that player's team wins the game.
Variant: Everyone Is Corrupt
In this variant, the team that plays first alternates from round to round. Each round, the role of Leader rotates one position clockwise. On rounds where the Journalists play first, the Officials try to match the Journalists' symbols.