The Crooked Table

At the start of every game each player gets a secret role. Nobody knows who is on which side, and the whole table pulls on one shared number: the Group Score.

• The Team Players (two of them) win together. They work to push the Group Score up, and when it's high enough they win, as long as their combined Player Score beats the Neutral's.

• The Saboteur works against the table, quietly dragging the Group Score down. Sink it low enough and the Saboteur wins, unless the Neutral has scored more.

• The Neutral doesn't care which way the Group Score goes. They play for their own Player Score, and whichever end the game reaches, a high enough personal score steals the win from either side.

So the Team Players need each other, but can't be sure who the other one is. The Saboteur has to look like a Team Player. And the Neutral is happy to help anyone, as long as it pays.

The Crooked Table is a social deduction card game for 4 players. Sit down at a candlelit tavern table, play your cards face down, and tell everyone what they are. Lie if you like. Just don't get caught.

Every change to the Group Score is only revealed at the end of the round, all added together. Did that card really push it up? Who dragged it down? Watch the drums turn, then work out who's lying.

Every turn you play one card face down and announce what it is. Play it honestly, claim a card you don't have, or disguise one card as another. Nobody sees the truth unless somebody calls you on it.

• Group Score cards push the shared score up or down.

• Player Score cards add to your own score, or knock points off a rival.

• Balance cards win you more chips to gamble with.

When a card goes down, the hourglass turns. Think it's a lie? Wager your chips and call it. The card rises over the table and flips for everyone to see.

• Caught lying: the card is cancelled and the liar pays your wager.

• Telling the truth: you were wrong, and you pay them.

Every call is remembered. Get caught once, and the whole table will be watching your next claim.

Every few rounds the centerpiece opens and the shop rises out of the table. Spend your chips on items that bend the rules:

• Iron Nerve: your next card can't be challenged.

• Bounty: put a price on someone. Catch them lying for an extra reward.

• Loaded Purse: if your next bluff is caught, the bank pays for it.

• Double Down: your next Group Score card counts twice.

• Borrowed Shield: protect another player from an attack, and get paid when it blocks one.

• Saboteur's Kit, Tax Collector, Confession Box, Private Message and more.

• Online with up to 4 players, each seated at the same table.

• Built-in voice chat: accuse, deny and swear you're telling the truth. Characters move their mouths and turn their heads to whoever they're watching.

• AI players fill empty seats. They bluff, call your bluffs and shop for themselves.