- BGG rank
- BGG #169
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Magic: The Gathering
- 2–6 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1993
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,342
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Tripoley
1937
Rules assistance for Tripoley
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–9 players
- 60 min
- 8+
- Complexity 1.5/5
Rules assistant for Tripoley
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tripoley is a board game released in 1937 for 2–9 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Stanley Hopkins and its main mechanics are Betting and Bluffing.
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About the game
A standard deck playing card game played with a special layout (or board) and poker chips. It is a modern version of the game of Poch. Each hand has three phases: "Hearts", "Poker", and "Michigan Rummy". All cards are dealt out, including one extra hand which remains unseen. Players place chips in the spaces for the special combinations on the playing mat/board, the "Poker" pot, and the "Kitty". The first phase pays off for holding certain cards or combinations (that match the combinations on the playing layout/board). The second phase is a hand of poker; each player selecting five cards from his hand to play. A hand of Poker betting takes place, with bets added to the "Poker" pot, and the winner wins the "Poker" pot. In the third phase, players play a slight variation of the game of Michigan (similar to Fan Tan), and the first to go out wins the chips in the "Kitty". The book Games We Play pictures a version of Poch published in ~1830 in Nuremberg by Verlag Fr Scharrer. From this illustration we can see the evolution of Pope Joan to Poch, which was further refined into the Tripoley we see today. This game is a Public Domain game known as Michigan Rummy. This name comes from the third phase where the standard deck playing card game of Michigan ("Stops Family") is played. Michigan Rummy should not be confused with the game of 500 Rum and its variation called Michigan Rum from the Rummy Family. The spots on the board are 10-J-Q-K-A of Hearts (5 spots), 8-9-10 all one suit (one spot), Q-K of Hearts (one spot), and the Kitty. Re-implements: Pochspiel Also see: Michigan Rummy
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Cadaco
- Ideal
- Whitman
- Stancraft Products
- Gutenberg ehf.
- Watkins Strathmore
- Frímerkjamiðstöðin
- Rainbow Works
Questions and answers
Tripoley supports 2–9 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 Tripoley 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 Tripoley 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.
Tripoley has a complexity rating of 1.5 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.
Tripoley belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are 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 Tripoley are: Stanley Hopkins. 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 Tripoley 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.