COUP D’ETAT

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OBJECTIVE OF COUP d’ETAT: Have the most money in hand at the end of the game.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2+ players

NUMBER OF CARDS: Stripped 52 card deck, described below.

MATERIALS: Director’s board, Six daggers (markers), four charts, money

RANK OF CARDS:  A (high), 10, K, Q, J, 9, 8, 7

TYPE OF GAME: Trick-Taking

AUDIENCE: All Ages

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INTRODUCTION TO COUP D’ETAT

Coup d’état is a game of unclear origin. It is believed the game was played first by political prisoners in French dungeons over 200 years ago. The game is closely related to the French game Barbu. The phrase coup d’état translates literally to “stroke of the state,” but is understood to mean a government overthrow by political revolutionaries.

There are 6 hands in the game, each is different and must be played to complete and move to the next round. The number of rounds in the game is always equivalent to the number of active players. Players play for themselves, there are no partnerships or alliances. The winner has the most money when the game ends.

THE CARDS

Coup d’Etat utilizes a stripped standard 52 card deck. In each suit, cards A, K, Q, J, 9, 10, 8, 7 are used. In addition, there is one special card, the Coup card.

THE PREP

Each player grabs a chart and 10,000 francs (or another currency) in the following denominations: Two 2,000 francs, three 1,000 francs, five 500 francs, and five 100 francs. Place the six daggers inside the 6 holes on the Director’s board (under the “S” or start).

THE PLAY

Prior to play, the director must place the director’s board in front on them. Any player may act as director. They deal 8 cards, face-down, to each player and places the last card that remains in the middle of the table. This card must also be face-down.

Players grab their hands and begin to sort them by suit. It is paramount to keep cards secret. The player with the coup card must announce it to all other players. After, they must decide to use the coup and overthrow the director in order to become the director. If the coup card is in the center of the table, the dealer (director) must re-shuffle and re-deal the cards. 메이저사이트

THE DIRECTOR’S CHART

HOW TO USE THE DIRECTOR’S CHART

If, for example, the player with the coup card doesn’t go for the coup, they discard the coup card and it is not used during that hand. The card is replaced with the extra card in the center. The director, after studying their hand, picks which of the six hands listed in the chart above they wish to play. They must announce their choice and move the dagger opposite to the hand on the director’s board, the dagger should be under column one. Players turn their charts to the director’s side. After, the director initiates the game by playing a single card, face-up, in the center of the table. They may play any card, following these stipulations:

• If Barbu was selected, they may not lead with a Heart.
• If Siege was selected, they may not lead with a Spade.
• If Guillotine was selected, they may not lead with a Heart OR a Spade.

After, play moves to the left. Each player plays a single card. If possible, they should follow suit. If not, they may play any card in hand. The winner of the trick is the player who played the highest ranking card that of the suit led with. The second trick is lead with by the winner. This continues until all 8 tricks have been played.

In Touche and Guillotine, players pay the director directly if they take the first and last tricks. However, the penalty payments in Barbu, Waterloo, and Siege can be paid in a lump sum at the end of the hand.