- BGG rank
- BGG #2,057
- BGG rating
- 6.9
Sluff Off!
- 3–5 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2003
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,783
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Scharfe Schoten
2014
Rules assistance for Scharfe Schoten
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.1/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Scharfe Schoten
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Scharfe Schoten is a board game released in 2014 for 3–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Arve D. Fühler and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Betting and Bluffing, and Trick-taking.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,015
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Skull Queen
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,580
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Pili Pili
- 2–8 players
- 20–30 min
- Complexity 1.1/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #852
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Wizard
- 3–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 1984
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,429
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Canyon
- 3–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,567
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Monasterium
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,870
- BGG rating
- 6.8
El Gaucho
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #284
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Skull King
- 2–8 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,170
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Bridge
- 4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 1925
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,171
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Nokosu Dice
- 3–5 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,202
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Cat in the box
- 3–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,410
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Wizard: Jubiläumsedition
- 3–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 2016
About the game
Scharfe Schoten (a.k.a. "Hot Peppers") is a trick-taking game in which players predict their tricks — but instead of predicting the number of tricks they'll take, they have to state the color that they think they'll get the most or least tricks of. Since all cards show their color on the back, the players have more information than usual. In addition to cards in hand, the game includes a common supply of cards, some of which can be added to the tricks to make it easier to reach a player's goal. This strategy might backfire, however, if cards of the wrong color make it into a trick and you're aiming for a low score in that color. During each trick, you must follow suit, even with the special trump cards. This also makes it difficult to correctly predict which tricks you'll get. In the end, the player who comes closest to his predictions wins.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Zoch Verlag
Questions and answers
Scharfe Schoten supports 3–4 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 Scharfe Schoten 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 Scharfe Schoten 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.
Scharfe Schoten has a complexity rating of 2.1 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Scharfe Schoten belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, 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 Scharfe Schoten are: Arve D. Fühler. 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 Scharfe Schoten 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.