
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,350
- BGG rating
- 7.3
TOKYO SIDEKICK
- 2–4 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2018

2020
Rules assistance for 12 Gangsters
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
12 Gangsters is a board game released in 2020 for 3–6 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Yusuke Emi (江見祐介) and its main mechanics are Push Your Luck.
In 12 Gangsters, your twelve gangsters must participate in twelve heists in order to prove themselves to the Boss. The Boss will be in charge of one team of gangsters in each heist. The rules are clear: Your gangster cannot steal more money than the Boss! It is up to you to send out the right gangster at the right time. The more money your gangsters collect, the happier the Boss will be... —description from the publisher
12 Gangsters supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for 12 Gangsters is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists 12 Gangsters for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
12 Gangsters has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
12 Gangsters belongs to these categories: Card Game and Mafia. Its main mechanics are Push Your Luck. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of 12 Gangsters are: Yusuke Emi (江見祐介). These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists 12 Gangsters as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.