
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,574
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Ghosts of Christmas
- 3–4 players
- 40 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2019

2023
Rules assistance for Shihou Dealer
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 3 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shihou Dealer is a board game released in 2023 for 3–4 players, 40 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by 新澤 大樹 (Taiki Shinzawa) and its main mechanics are Trick-taking.
Shihou Dealer is a trick-taking card game with variable suit and rank distribution. The trick is won by the highest rank regardless of suit, and for each suit the lowest score card is stacked on top. The lowest number of each color is scored, but only the 1's digit is scored. A game that requires a unique way of thinking, as there are ranks divided by color.
Shihou Dealer 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 Shihou Dealer is 40 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 Shihou Dealer 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.
Shihou Dealer has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Shihou Dealer belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are 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 Shihou Dealer are: 新澤 大樹 (Taiki Shinzawa). 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 Shihou Dealer 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.