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Circus Flohcati
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Pickpocket
2008
Rules assistance for Pickpocket
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Pickpocket
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Pickpocket is a board game released in 2008 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Reiner Knizia and its main mechanics are Push Your Luck and Open Drafting.
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About the game
The players are pickpockets in a bar. The aim of the game is to leave the bar as rich as possible. A round starts by turning a card. On this card you see a number of lines (maximum 4). The players have to decide to leave the bar with the current earnings or to turn a new card. When they turn a card there is a risk of being thrown out of the bar if all the lines on the cards are broken. As long as there is one line that starts on the first card and ends on the last card without any interruptions in between they can stay in the bar to continue stealing. You can also turn a card that shows a guard. As soon as two guards are turned the exits of the bar are blocked. In this way it is impossible to leave the bar. There are also a few other cards available to add some variation to the game. The game is played in several rounds. Each round you have to decide how much risk you are willing to take. Timing and luck are very important.
Mechanics
Designers
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Questions and answers
Pickpocket 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 Pickpocket 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 Pickpocket for ages 10 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.
Pickpocket 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.
Pickpocket belongs to these categories: Card Game and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Push Your Luck and Open Drafting. 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 Pickpocket are: Reiner Knizia. 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 Pickpocket 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.