- BGG rank
- BGG #15,903
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Frigiti
- 4–6 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #17,143
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Parlay
2006
Rules assistance for Parlay
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- 9+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Parlay
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Parlay is a board game released in 2006 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Paul Sturgis and Jennifer Sturgis and its main mechanics are Spelling.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #761
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Paperback
- 2–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,014
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Letter Jam
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,360
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Hardback
- 1–5 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,065
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Paperback Adventures
- 1–2 players
- 50–150 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,331
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Tapple
- 2–10 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.0/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,235
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Quiddler
- 1–8 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1998
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,025
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Unspeakable Words
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.3/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,767
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Unspeakable Words: Deluxe Edition
- 2–8 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,875
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Letterpress
- 1–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,135
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Dictopia
- 1–7 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,017
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Typo
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2004
About the game
Parlay is a card game that challenges players to make the best poker hand and the best word that they can from their cards. Parlay uses an artistically enhanced 52 card deck of familiar playing cards, with the addition of a letter and point value on each card. Players decide which cards to hold and which to exchange in an attempt to improve their word, their poker hand, and hopefully both. Like traditional poker, players can enjoy a variety of games like the favorites 'Texas Hold'em' and 'Five Card Draw', or original games like 'Unlucky 7's' and 'Wild I's'. Unlike traditional poker, Parlay involves no betting or wagering. However, players are faced with an element of poker-style risk, where every hand they must decide whether to 'FOLD' for guaranteed points, or risk their points and 'STAY' in an attempt to win out over opponents for big point bonuses. Parlay also introduces 'Wordbluffing', where players are invited to play oddly spelled words to trick their opponents into calling their bluff to knock them out of the hand. Players can also try to get away with fake or misspelled words, hoping their bluff won't be called. Wordbluffing usually results in lots of laughs. Parlay comes with a deck of 52 casino quality playing cards, 2 jokers, 1 info card, 6 stay/fold game chips, 80 sheet score pad, and an instruction booklet. Players 2-6, Ages 9 and up.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Real Deal Games
Questions and answers
Parlay supports 2–6 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 Parlay 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 Parlay for ages 9 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.
Parlay has a complexity rating of 1.7 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.
Parlay belongs to these categories: Card Game, Word Game, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Spelling. 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 Parlay are: Paul Sturgis and Jennifer Sturgis. 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 Parlay 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.