Ucho Króla Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• Game Components
• Object of the Game
• Setup
• Player's Turn
  • 1) Performing an Action
  • 2) Using the Character's Ability
  • 3) Hand Limit and Limit of Cards Beside the Character Card
• Playing Cards
  • Playing the Kąśliwa riposta Card
  • When the Deck Runs Out
  • When the Last Card Is Taken from the Discard Pile
  • Discarding Cards onto the Discard Pile
• End of the Game
• Variants
  • Kokieteria (for 4 and 6 players)
  • Faworyt króla (King's Favourite)
  • Simplified Variant (for 2-6 players)
  • Quick Variant (for 2-6 players)
  • Open Variant (for 2-6 players)
  • Narrating the Game
• Symbols Appearing on Cards
• Card Descriptions
  • Special Cards
  • Intrigue Cards
  • Buffoonery Cards
  • Character Cards
• Example of a Player's Turn

Game Components

120 cards:

• 44 buffoonery cards (bufonada)
• 44 intrigue cards (intryga)
• 16 special cards
  • of which 6 are Ucho króla (King's Ear) cards
  • and 10 are character cards

Each card shows: a card name, a card description, an effect, and prestige points.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is to gain as much prestige as possible through skilful scheming, ruining the authority of other players, and showing tact and good manners.

Setup

1. Shuffle the character cards and deal 2 to each player. From the character cards received, each player chooses 1 and places it face up in front of them. When 6 players take part, each takes 1 card and there is no choice. Unchosen and undealt character cards are put back in the box. They do not take part in the game.

   Note: After every player has chosen a character, the player who chose the character card Hrabia de Guiche randomly draws two additional characters from among the undealt cards and the cards rejected by the other players. During the game, cards are placed only beside the Hrabia de Guiche, but the player may perform the actions of the two drawn characters.

2. The remaining cards are placed in the middle of the table as a face-down draw deck.

3. Each player draws 5 cards from this deck.

4. The top card of the deck is placed face up next to the draw deck. It is the first card of the discard pile.

5. The player who most recently visited the royal palace in Versailles starts the game by taking their turn. If no player has been to Versailles, the starting player is chosen randomly. Then the other players take their turns clockwise until the game ends.

Initial layout (diagram): each player has their character card, spaces for cards displayed beside the character, a space for the prestige pile (to the left of the character) and cards in hand; the discard pile and the draw deck are in the middle of the table.

Player's Turn

1) Performing an Action

On their turn a player may perform one of 5 actions:

Drawing a card (cards) from the deck. The player takes the top card of the deck into their hand (if they have no cards in hand, they draw 2 cards).

Playing a buffoonery card. A buffoonery card is displayed beside the player's own character, after which the player must perform the effect shown on this card.

Playing an intrigue card. To be able to play an intrigue card from the hand, a player must additionally have in hand at least one other intrigue card or any special card. First we display an intrigue card or a special card beside our own character. Then we must display an intrigue card beside another player's character and perform its effect.

Note: The effect of the card displayed beside one's own character is not performed; this card serves only as the cost of playing the intrigue card.

Playing a Savoir-vivre card. The Savoir-vivre card is played by a player who has it in hand swapping it with the top card of the discard pile (this may also be an Ucho króla card). The player thus takes the first card lying on the discard pile and places the Savoir-vivre card from their hand on top of that pile. The card they took they may take into their hand, display beside another player's character, or display beside their own character. If it is an intrigue or buffoonery card, its effect is performed.

Playing an Ucho króla card. The Ucho króla card (marked with its symbol) may be played from the hand only when the player has at least two such cards in hand. Then the player must show the other players two Ucho króla cards, then place one of them in the pile to the left of the character card, called in the game the prestige pile (see End of the Game), and the other on top of the discard pile.

2) Using the Character's Ability

Some characters have abilities. If, while performing their action, the player fulfils the condition shown on the character card, they may use their character's ability.

Note: A player playing the character Markiz de Callières may use this character's ability also in another player's turn, immediately after playing the card Kąśliwa riposta.

3) Hand Limit and Limit of Cards Beside the Character Card

At the end of a player's turn, no player may have more than 5 cards in hand; excess cards must be discarded onto the discard pile in turn order (the player whose turn it is begins). Then everyone checks how many cards are to the right of their character card - if more than 3, the excess cards lying closest to the character card must be taken and placed face down on the player's own prestige pile.

Playing Cards

Displaying cards as a result of an action or of the effects of played cards is governed by certain rules.

1. Cards are always displayed beside a character card - one's own or an opponent's, depending on how the card was played or on the possibility described in the card's effect.
2. If a player has no displayed card, the first one displayed for them must be placed to the right of the character card.
3. Subsequent ones are placed to the right of the last displayed card, so that the order of display is preserved.
4. When more than 3 cards are on the right side of a player's character, the excess cards lying closest to the character card are placed on the prestige pile. This is done at the end of the turn (see Hand Limit and Limit of Cards Beside the Character Card).

Playing the Kąśliwa riposta Card

The Kąśliwa riposta card is a special card. It can be played from the hand when another player displays any card beside our character. We then display the Kąśliwa riposta beside that player's character. They may immediately react with their own Kąśliwa riposta card, if they have one. After it is played, they continue their turn. Remember that the effects of the displayed card (the one that triggered the retort) are performed only after all Kąśliwa riposta cards have been displayed.

When the Deck Runs Out

If at any moment the deck runs out, set aside the top card of the discard pile and shuffle the remaining ones, thus creating a new deck. The set-aside card is placed face up beside the deck; it forms the new discard pile.

When the Last Card Is Taken from the Discard Pile

If the discard pile runs out of cards, reveal the top card of the deck and place it face up beside the deck. It is the first card of the new discard pile.

Discarding Cards onto the Discard Pile

If at a given moment a player has to discard more than one card onto the discard pile, they decide the order of discarding themselves, and thus also which card will be on top of the pile.

End of the Game

The game ends when the draw deck runs out for the second time. Each player reveals the cards in their prestige pile. From the points of positive prestige (marked in one colour) subtract the points of negative prestige (marked in another colour) in the upper left corner of the card. The winner is the player who has the most positive prestige or the least negative prestige (if all players have negative prestige). In case of a tie, the person with more Ucho króla cards wins.

Variants

Kokieteria (for 4 and 6 players)

Players join into teams. The difference in play is that teams (pairs or triples) count their prestige together at the end of the game. In a 6-player game one can play as three pairs or as two triples, in a 4-player game as two pairs. Pairs or triples should sit so that players on the same team do not take actions one after another.

Faworyt króla (King's Favourite)

This variant is recommended with an odd number of players. One randomly chosen player is the king's favourite and in their turn performs two actions in a row. This variant should be combined with the open variant (Wariant odkryty), because at each summing up of prestige points, the player with the highest prestige becomes the new favourite.

Simplified Variant (for 2-6 players)

The game is played without the actions and abilities of the characters. Characters are treated as if they had no text under the picture. This variant is recommended for beginners.

Quick Variant (for 2-6 players)

The game ends after the cards in the deck run out. This variant can be combined with other variants.

Open Variant (for 2-6 players)

After choosing their character cards, players place one discarded character card roughly in the middle of the deck. When, during the game, a character card appears on top of the deck, it is discarded, the players count their prestige points and tell the other players their number. Points are also counted after the first exhaustion of the deck, announcing the result to the other players. After the new deck is created, the process is repeated. In this variant it is known who the leader is, whom one should attack.

Narrating the Game

It is also recommended to narrate the game. When playing a card, the player describes what happens, what wonderful thing they did, or what a simpleton the player sitting next to them turned out to be.

Example: A player playing Hrabia de Guiche plays the card Faux pas on the player playing Hrabina de Vardes (displaying the card Rozrzutność for themselves). While playing, they say:

"Oh Countess... You must have taken that outfit from some peasant woman. I would swear I saw one just like it yesterday on a swineherd's wife at the market."

The Countess answers by playing the card Kąśliwa riposta:

"But Count, perhaps you know about pigs, but not about outfits. I bought this gown from the tailor La Moneta because I learned that your wife wanted to buy it... She was too late! Could it be that she had nothing to put on and that is why she did not come to the ball?"

The Count replies by throwing his own Kąśliwa riposta card and says:

"The Countess is not here because the Queen invited her hunting, noting that she loves to meet people who can dress properly, and not like the city plebs who buy gowns from La Moneta, pretending to be highborn..."

This option is recommended only for people who like to joke and laugh at themselves. Remember that jokes should not cross the boundary of good taste.

Symbols Appearing on Cards

• A card (cards) displayed beside the character of any player (also beside one's own character).
• Cards in a player's hand.
• Intrigue cards.
• Special cards.
• Buffoonery cards.
• Ucho króla card.

Card Descriptions

Special Cards

Savoir-vivre - Skill in the meanders of court machinations allows one to save face. Swap this card with the top card of the discard pile. Take the swapped card into your hand or display it beside your own character or beside another player's character. If it is a buffoonery or intrigue card, after displaying it you may perform its effect.

Kąśliwa riposta - A display of a brilliant rebuff to a hurtful slander. Display beside a player's character when that player displays any card beside your character card.

Menuet - Arouse envy in others with your passion and masterly command of technique. Take the 4 top cards of the draw deck (do not show them to the other players), keep 1 of them in hand and discard the rest onto the discard pile. Note: A player playing the character Madame du Barry keeps 2 cards.

Knucie - The art of achieving goals at others' expense, dressed in the appearance of nobility. Take 1 random card from any player's hand. If it is an intrigue or buffoonery card, perform its effect, then discard it onto the discard pile. If the taken card is an Ucho króla or special card, discard it, and the player who was the target of the Knucie card takes into hand 1 random card from another player's hand.

Ucho króla - The desire for his eyes to look at you and his ears to hear you... When you gather 2 of these cards in hand, discard one onto the discard pile and place the other in your prestige.

Intrigue Cards

Rozwiązłość - You have reached such a level of debauchery that it now causes only disgust. Take into hand 1 card displayed beside any player's character (also your own).

Rozrzutność - Satisfying all whims ruins your finances and reputation. Take into hand the top card of the discard pile.

Zdradzone sekrety - Fiery confessions in a moment of rapture turned out to be an object of mockery. Reveal the 3 top cards of the draw deck. Display all cards with negative prestige beside any characters (you may also display them beside a single character), and discard the remaining cards onto the discard pile. Players may respond with a Kąśliwa riposta card. Note: A player playing the character Madame du Barry draws 5 cards instead of 3.

Podpicie - Immoderate tasting of liquors induces overly deep confessions... Choose a displayed intrigue or buffoonery card beside the character card of the player sitting next to you (on the left or right; in a 2-player game, the opponent) and perform its effect.

Faux pas - Concealed smirks show that your lack of polish has been noticed. Draw the 2 top cards of the draw deck.

Buffoonery Cards

Fraszka - Without speaking of anyone ad personam, make everyone chuckle at them anyway... Look at someone's cards in hand. Take an Ucho króla card or draw the top card of the draw deck.

Anielskie głosy - What emotions and memories will the wonderful soprano of a castrato evoke? Display up to 2 cards from your hand beside any characters (also your own). You may display 2 cards beside one character. You do not perform the effects of these cards.

Maskarada - A lurking enemy in hiding, or a masked friend? Take 2 random cards from another player's hand. Then that player must draw the 1 top card of the draw deck.

Podszepty - A lie repeated many times becomes truth. Take into hand a card displayed beside your own character or the character of the player sitting next to you (on the left or right; in a 2-player game, the opponent).

Zalotne rozmowy - The art of seduction - a promise of passion for a small favour. Discard onto the discard pile up to 2 cards displayed beside your own character or another player's character. You may discard 1 card displayed beside each of two different characters.

Kuzyneczka - The temptation to pluck a recently ripened flower is always very strong... Swap places of any 2 cards displayed beside players' characters. The players whose cards you swapped may respond by displaying a Kąśliwa riposta card beside your character.

Character Cards

Hrabina de Bragelonne - When in your turn you displayed an intrigue card for any player, you may draw a card from the draw deck or take into hand the top card of the discard pile.

Hrabina de Vardes - When in your turn you displayed a special card (beside your own character or another player's character), you may draw the top card of the draw deck or throw the top card of the discard pile into any prestige. This card cannot be Ucho króla. If the last card is Ucho króla, we can only draw a card.

Markiz de Callières - When you played Savoir-vivre, you may perform the effect of an intrigue or buffoonery card displayed beside the character of the player next to you. This ability can be used at the end of another player's turn (before the phase of checking excess cards) in which you played the card Kąśliwa riposta.

Madame du Barry - Whenever you display Menuet, you keep 2 cards. Whenever you display Zdradzone sekrety, you draw 2 more cards.

Baronowa du Vallon - When in your turn you played an intrigue card, you may perform the effect of an intrigue or buffoonery card displayed beside the character of the player next to you.

Hrabia de La Fare - Show the other players that you have 2 identical cards in hand. Then swap 1 of them with the top card of the discard pile.

Biskup Vannes - When in your turn you chose as your action playing an intrigue card, you may perform the effect of both displayed cards. To do this, you must discard cards from your hand - one special card or 2 of any.

Hrabia de Guiche - After choosing this character at the start of the game, draw 2 additional character cards. You have the traits of both. At the end of the game subtract 5 from your prestige.

Baron de Chantal - If all cards displayed beside this character are of the same colour, draw a card from the deck or take into hand the top card of the discard pile. This ability can be used with 1, 2 or 3 displayed cards.

Markiza d'Arquien - If you have 2 identical buffoonery or special cards in hand, discard 1 of them. Then look through any prestige and discard 1 card from it (other than an Ucho króla card).

Example of a Player's Turn

(Players: Bartek and Radek.)

1. In his turn Bartek displays Knucie beside his own character. This card allows him to pull one card from the opponent's hand and perform its effect, after which it must be discarded.
2. Bartek takes Anielskie głosy from Radek's hand, which allows him to display up to 2 cards.
3. Bartek displays the cards Zdradzone sekrety and Rozrzutność beside Radek's character.
4. In response Radek displays a Kąśliwa riposta card and may perform one more action resulting from the ability of his character - Markiza de Callières.
5. He performs the effect of Knucie - takes one card from the opponent's hand and performs its effect, after which he must discard it. This card is Podszepty.
6. Radek may discard one of the displayed cards, so he discards the card Rozrzutność displayed beside his own character. At the end the players check the hand limit and the number of cards displayed beside their characters.