
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,103
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Surfosaurus MAX
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2023

Rules assistance for Po-Ke-No
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Po-Ke-No is a board game released in 1930 for 2–13 players, 10 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and Betting and Bluffing.
Includes 12 boards and a large number of poker-style chips (no cards, however). Paraphrased from the box: A game that is a combination of the two games known as Poker and Keno (or Lotto), with features that make it more interesting and exciting than either. Each player, except the dealer, is given a board and some counters. If there are no more players than boards, the dealer may also play if desired. The dealer or "caller" is furnished with an ordinary deck of 52 playing cards, shuffles them, and turns over the top one calling it out. Each player with that space on their board covers it with a counter. The dealer continues turning over cards until someone wins by having a complete row of five scored, either horizontally or vertically. The player who wins becomes the next dealer. Several scoring methods are suggested, such as collecting all counters lying on other boards. Or, continue playing until everyone has a line of five, then scoring via the rank of poker hands - the boards are arranged so that each line vertically and horizontally represents every different poker hand, ranging from a "straight flush" to "a pair".
Po-Ke-No supports 2–13 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 Po-Ke-No is 10 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 Po-Ke-No 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.
Po-Ke-No 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.
Po-Ke-No belongs to these categories: Card Game and Number. Its main mechanics are Set Collection and 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 catalogue lists Po-Ke-No 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.