2017
Downeast Dealer is a fast-paced card game of strategy for 3 to 5 players based on the old Yankee obsession with finding a bargain. Players run auctions, make bids on collectable items, and challenge other players to deals.
Everyone begins with cash and a few bad checks. Play begins with the auction of an item you might find in a classified section of the newspaper, on Craigslist, or in the uniquely Maine publication, “Uncle Henry’s.” Players take turns auctioning these Classified Items to each other and bidding on items to add to their own collection.
Each Classified Item has a point value. The most sought after Classified Item, the Moose Trophy, is worth 100 points. Lesser items, like the Blueberry Rake, are worth as little as 5 points.
A player only earns the points indicated on a Classified Item when they collect the complete set of four cards. When two players each hold the same Classified Item card, one player may “Downeast Deal” to try to capture the set.
Downeast Deals are when bluffing becomes a major element of the game. Players might offer large sums of cash in a Downeast Deal, or they might just throw down a bunch of bad checks. There’s no telling until the deal is done – and the savviest dealer takes the collection (or perhaps a large pile of cash!).
Play continues with auctions and deals until all of the sets are complete. The final scoring depends on the point value of the cards a player has – and the number of sets the player has. Having a moose trophy to hang on the wall is cool – but having a fly-fishing rod in your hall AND a lobster trap in your living room AND an anchor in your cellar is even cooler. Right?
Of course, collectors always run the risk of crossing paths with the village ne’er-do-well, and Downeast Dealer is no different. Keep your collection safe from the Thief. If you don’t, he may run off with your prized heirloom chest!
