- BGG rank
- BGG #27,845
- BGG rating
- 5.4
Dead Money
- 3–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2006
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,661
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Renfield
1999
Rules assistance for Renfield
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 4–7 players
- 60 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.4/5
For 4 players
Rules assistant for Renfield
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Renfield is a board game released in 1999 for 4–7 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by James Ernest and its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing and Trick-taking.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,808
- BGG rating
- 6.2
Panic!
- 2–8 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #26,498
- BGG rating
- 5.5
Cowpoker
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2006
- BGG rank
- BGG #18,582
- BGG rating
- 5.8
XXXenophile
- 2–5 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 1996
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,302
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Reapers
- 3–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,856
- BGG rating
- 6.5
12 Days
- 3–5 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2011
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,219
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Brawl
- 2–7 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1999
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,427
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Fish Cook
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #8,857
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Camden
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2002
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,428
- BGG rating
- 6.0
Get Lucky
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #17,456
- BGG rating
- 5.8
Cube Farm
- 2–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2002
%2Fpic3902923.jpg@webp)
- BGG rank
- BGG #18,215
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Young Jacob Marley
- 2–6 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2017
About the game
This is a strange trick taking/gambling game. Each card has 4 traits, rank (1-17), suit (tools, parts, stones), bugs (0-6) and a dollar cost (0-5). The game is played in hands of six rounds. Six cards are dealt to each player then setting the order of suit hiarchy is bid on. The highest bidder puts his money in the pot and sets the suit order. The top bidder then plays a card and everyone must follow suit if possible. The winner of the trick takes the cards and check for dollar amounts. This must be paid to the pot. He then leads the next trick. A player may fold instead of playing if he has won at least one trick with a bug. He is out for the rest of the round and can not win the hand. After six rounds have been played the winner of the hand is the person who has taken the fewest bugs more then zero. Take the pot and dealer moves clockwise. Like poker there is no end of the game. It is when everybody chooses to quit.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Cheapass Games
- New Games Order, LLC
- I Am Factory
Questions and answers
Renfield supports 4–7 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 Renfield is 60 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 Renfield 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.
Renfield has a complexity rating of 1.4 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.
Renfield belongs to these categories: Card Game, Print & Play, and Horror. Its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing and Trick-taking. 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 Renfield are: James Ernest. 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 Renfield 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.