- BGG rank
- BGG #16,906
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Target
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,271
- BGG rating
- 5.3
Showdown
2003
Rules assistance for Showdown
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Showdown
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Showdown is a board game released in 2003 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Andy Daniel and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding and Betting and Bluffing.
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About the game
"Bid-It! is the bidding game where your hand doesn’t really matter, as long as you know how to bid it! The object of Bid-It! is to bid how many of a given number appear on the cards held by all players together. For instance, a bid of “four 5’s” means the bidder believes that there are at least four fives being held by all players as a group. The next player must either make a higher bid or challenge the previous bid. Once a bid is challenged, the cards are revealed. If the bid was too high, the bidder loses a card. If not, the challenger loses a card. Players try to figure out each other’s hands by their bids, but remember, bluffing is not only legal, it’s sometimes quite effective (unless you get challenged!) If you’re very sure that your opponent’s bid was too high, why not bid “double” and put the loss of 2 cards on the line? Of course, the bidder may turn the tables on you and “redouble”. Or if you think that your opponent’s bid was exactly right, take a chance and bid “Perfecto!” Includes 110 cards and instructions in a colorful metal tin. Inspired by Liar's Dice
Designers
Publishers
- Enginuity
Questions and answers
Showdown 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 Showdown 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 Showdown 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.
Showdown 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.
Showdown belongs to these categories: Card Game, Number, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding 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 credited designers of Showdown are: Andy Daniel. 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 Showdown 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.