- BGG rank
- BGG #4,043
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Ladies & Gentlemen
- 4–10 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,986
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Kemps
Rules assistance for Kemps
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–8 players
- 30 min
- 7+
- Complexity 1.6/5
For 4 players
Rules assistant for Kemps
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Kemps is a board game for 4–8 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Team-Based Game.
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About the game
Kemps (also known as Canes) is played with two two-person teams. (You could play with three or four teams, but it becomes more complicated.) Each player is dealt a hand of 4 cards from a standard deck, and then the Dealer deals four cards face-up to the center of the table. If you're right-handed, you should keep your hand (of cards) in your left hand, and vice-versa -- this is because you are only allowed to use one hand to pick up or put down cards. When everyone is ready, the Dealer says "Begin", at which point the round starts. Play is simultaneous, with no turns. Your goal is to have all four cards in your hand of the same value (i.e. all 4 kings, or all 4 deuces). If a card you want is on the table, pick it up, put it in your hand, and then discard a card to replace it. If the action comes to a standstill because noone wants any of the cards on the table, the Dealer removes them, deals another four cards, and says "Begin" again. When you have acquired a complete set, you have Kemps, but you cannot declare this yourself. Instead, you must use a pre-arranged signal to inform your partner (which must be "over the table" -- no kicking your partner in the shins!), who then announces "Kemps". You show your hand, and your team gets a point. If you or your partner misread the signal and call Kemps erroneously, the other team gets a point. If you think you have spotted the other team's signal, you can call "Kemps against", and name the player you think has Kemps. If you are correct, your team gets a point, otherwise the other team does. When someone has figured out the other team's signal, that team can go somewhere private to come up with a new one. Play until any agreed-upon number of points.
Publishers
- (Public Domain)
- Ferti
Questions and answers
Kemps supports 4–8 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 Kemps 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 Kemps for ages 7 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.
Kemps has a complexity rating of 1.6 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.
Kemps belongs to these categories: Card Game and Real-time. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Team-Based Game. 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 catalogue lists Kemps 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.