
- BGG rank
- BGG #162
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Codenames
- 2–8 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2015

2012
Rules assistance for Cucco 21
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 5 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Cucco 21 is a board game released in 2012 for 5–12 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 6 and up.
Cucco 21 is a deck of Il Cucco cards which specializes playing "Cambio". It has some modifications both in the flow of the game and added special power cards. The goal of the game is same as "Cambio" - getting most number of chips when someone got bankrupted. Everyone holds only one card and you are penalized if your card is the lowest of all. From the start player, counter-clockwise, a player can either change a card with next player (person on your right) or not. Finally, the last player can change his/her card with the top card of the deck, if he/she wishes. In the first 3 rounds, the loser get penalized 1, 2, or 3 points according to the number of rounds. From the 4th round and on, the loser is out of the play. The last one stands gets all chips in the pot. Then start again from round 1. There are several cards with special abilities. In cucco 21, some abilities are added and their ranks have been changed.
Cucco 21 supports 5–12 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 Cucco 21 is 30 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 Cucco 21 for ages 6 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.
Cucco 21 has a complexity rating of 1.0 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.
Cucco 21 belongs to these categories: Card Game, Party Game, and Deduction. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Cucco 21 and want something comparable for your next game night.
The catalogue lists Cucco 21 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.