Sleuth Card Game First Impressions

In Sleuth, the Gems have gone missing, I will be able to find out which ones are missing by asking the right question…

I know what that question is, but sadly I can’t ask it yet.

In Sleuth, a classic deduction game from master designer Sid Sackson, players are searching for a hidden gem.

We played that 3 of the 36 gem cards were hidden for us to deduce that they are missing. The rest of the deck was dealt out to each of the 4 players with the extra card face up for all players to see (and eliminate).

The deck contains cards each showing 1, 2 or 3 diamonds, pearls or opals in one of four colours each.

Questions

There is another deck of cards that let you find information about another player’s hand. Everyone gets 4 of these face-ups and on your turn, you read out one of the cards and name a player and they answer.

These questions relate to something about another player’s hand such as the number of cards of a certain gem, number of singles (Solitaires), double (Pairs) or triple (Clusters) gem cards, or the number of cards of a certain colour.

They can also be more specific relating to two ‘things’ such as ‘Number of Diamond Pairs’.

If you ask a question the answer will just be a number that matches the number of cards in their hand that match the criteria.

You note down your info on a sheet of paper, cross off boxes and make notes… I was trying to guess who had each card 🙂

At any time you can name a colour, gem type and gem quantity and look through the removed cards. If you’re right you win and players can try and guess the other 2 for second and third place.

Wrong and you’re out, but still answer questions.

Sleuth Summary

It’s a very nice and simple game if not VERY difficult. It reminds me of the good bit of Alchemists and a lot like P.I., although P.I. has more questions available each turn.

Having only 4 questions to pick from each round is tough. Especially when you know what you need to ask but can’t.

Still a good game though.

Jesta ThaRogue