Lucky Bastard · A party card game

Bet big.
Risk bigger.

A high-stakes party card game where the bold build a fortune, the greedy tempt fate, and one bad draw can take it all.

See how it plays Follow the build

Prototype in progress

The basic gamble

Know when to push. Know when to walk.

The rules are quick to learn. The nerve to play them well? That part is on you.

1

Draw and build

Start your turn score at 0. Draw a card, resolve it, and build the points that are on the line.

2

Draw your luck

Build the hand — but watch for action cards and Bastards that can turn the whole table.

3

Cash out or keep going

Lock in the win, or push your luck for more. Bust, and what’s in play is gone.

Set the table

Chip calculator & tracker

Choose your player count, then keep score right on your phone—no physical chips needed.

2–12 players

Point values in the tracker

1 point
5 points
10 points
20 points

Set the number of players, then switch to Tracker and tap + or − to keep score.

The complete game

Shuffle up. Draw. Risk it or cash out.

The full rules from the Z-fold booklet, plus two turns laid out so you can see exactly how the game can swing.

How to play

Goal: First to 100 permanent points wins. Yes — even mid-turn.

Setup & your turn
  • Shuffle the 108-card deck.
  • Play with 2–6 players. You need poker chips, coins, or a scorepad to track permanent points.
  • Everyone starts at 0. Points only become permanent when you cash out — except points stolen or won mid-turn, which you bank right away.
  • The last person to go to a casino goes first.
  • Draw a card and resolve it. Then RISK IT (draw again) or CASH OUT (bank your turn score as permanent points).
  • Your turn score isn’t safe until you cash out. A BUST destroys your turn score; your permanent points are untouched.
  • When the deck runs out, shuffle the discards. Face-up INSURANCE cards stay put.
The deck — 108 cards
NUMBER 1–10 (×70)Add the number to your turn score. Then risk it or cash out.
BUST (×14)Lose your entire turn score. Your turn ends.
DOUBLE (×4)Double your turn score. Then risk it or cash out.
STEAL 10 (×4)Take 10 permanent points from any player — straight to yours. Your turn continues.
HIGH STAKES (×1)Everyone wagers 10 permanent points. Highest number takes the pot.
RIGGED (×3)Draw 3, keep 1 and play it now. Stack the other 2 on top in any order.
Bastard cards — 12
ALL IN (×2)No cashing out — draw 2 more cards right now.
ROBBERY (×2)Take 5 permanent points from every other player.
HOUSE MONEY (×2)Add 15 to your turn score, free. Bust and you also lose 10 permanent points.
HIGH ROLLER (×2)Every number you draw counts double for the rest of this turn.
BET THE HOUSE (×1)Move all permanent points into your turn score. Then you must draw again.
INSURANCE (×2)Keep face-up; discard to cancel a BUST on a later turn.
LAST CALL (×1)Everyone draws and reveals. BUSTs lose 10 permanent points.
When things get weird
HIGH STAKES SHOWDOWNThe drawer is Dealer. Everyone antes 10 permanent points; anyone short of 10 means discard HIGH STAKES and draw again. Deal one face-down card each and flip on three. Highest number takes the pot; ties split, odd chip to the Dealer. Non-numbers are 0 and effects don’t trigger. All 0? Deal again. If a split takes two players to 100+, they flip one more card each; highest wins, ties re-flip.
CHAINED CARDSRIGGED into RIGGED, or ALL IN into ALL IN, fizzles. HIGH STAKES or RIGGED or ALL IN during a chain resolves as stated; a showdown ends the turn.
INSURANCECan’t be used the turn it’s drawn. It only blocks a BUST on your own later turn — not LAST CALL or HIGH STAKES. A blocked bust never happened, so HOUSE MONEY’s penalty doesn’t trigger.
SHORT ON POINTSSTEAL 10, ROBBERY, and LAST CALL take all a player has if they have fewer. No one goes below 0.
BET THE HOUSEBust and the entire turn score is destroyed, including everything moved in. You drop to 0.
DOUBLINGDOUBLE on 0 stays 0. HIGH ROLLER doubles numbers you draw, not your existing score. HOUSE MONEY’s bust penalty is always 10 total.
LAST CALLIncludes you. Every revealed card that isn’t a BUST does nothing and is discarded. Your turn continues.

Behind the game

The first real look comes after the prototype.

The physical game is being tested and refined now. Final photography, box details, and buying information will be added once the finished prototype is in hand.

  • Full product reveal and real game photography
  • Final rule revisions and expanded card guide
  • Where to buy and launch details
  • Play videos, reviews, and table reactions

Straight answers

Before you ante up.

The game is still in prototype review, so details will be added as they’re locked.

It’s a gambling-style party card game built around betting points, drawing cards, pushing your luck, and deciding when to cash out.

Not yet. The physical prototype is in progress, and purchase details will be announced after it has been reviewed and playtested.

The complete Z-fold booklet rules are in The Game section above. Final refinements and an expanded card guide will be added after prototype review.

Official Instagram, TikTok, and video links will appear here as those channels go live.