- BGG rank
- BGG #24,735
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Wildstorms
- 1–2 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 1995
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,073
- BGG rating
- 5.5
High Stakes Drifter
2005
Rules assistance for High Stakes Drifter
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–8 players
- 30–90 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for High Stakes Drifter
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
High Stakes Drifter is a board game released in 2005 for 2–8 players, 30–90 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Matt Forbeck and its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing.
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About the game
The first CCG from the creator of such collectible miniatures games as Mage Knight and Heroclix, High Stakes Drifter combines poker and CCGs for a unique multi-player experience unlike any other game. Set to retail in $9.99 starter decks and $2.99 booster packs, the game features both cards and poker chips (called Kicker Chips) that change the flow of the game. From the publisher: The Wild West was never as much fun as the betting-and-bluffing world of High Stakes Drifter! The hustlers, gamblers, lawmen, first nations, and outlaws have all thrown in their chips, and only those with nerves of steel and the right mix of skill, luck, and smarts will prevail! Combining elements of traditional saloon games and featuring photography and personalities from the Wild West such as Billy the Kid and Wyatt Earp, High Stakes Drifter is the first collectible card game (CCG) from WizKids and the first CCG that gets better as more players sit down at the table. Special kicker chips add just a pinch of luck, but the greatest bettors and bluffers will prevail in the dusty world of High Stakes Drifter!
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- WizKids (I)
Questions and answers
High Stakes Drifter supports 2–8 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 High Stakes Drifter is 30–90 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 High Stakes Drifter 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.
High Stakes Drifter has a complexity rating of 2.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
High Stakes Drifter belongs to these categories: Card Game, Bluffing, and American West. Its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing. 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 High Stakes Drifter are: Matt Forbeck. 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 High Stakes Drifter 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.