Queen's Necklace

Sell gems to the Queen's court in pre-revolutionary Paris, where timing, bluffing and the right favors make you King's Jeweler.

Designers: Bruno Faidutti, Bruno Cathala
Published by: Cool Mini Or Not
Editions by: Days of Wonder, Spaghetti Western Games

Paris, just before the French Revolution, and you are a royal jeweler trying to sell stones to the Queen and her court. You spend your ducats on gems, diamonds, emeralds and rubies, or on the favors of court figures such as confessors, astrologers and musketeers, who can swing things your way. The game runs over three years of craftsmanship and rewards smart timing, bluffing and set collection, because you never know what your rivals are holding. The jeweler who sells the most precious gems and builds the biggest fortune earns the title of King's Jeweler. A tight little card game with a historical backdrop of intrigue, played in about 45 minutes.

Royal jeweler in Paris before the RevolutionBuy gems or the favors of court figuresThree years of play, one King's Jeweler

Who it's for

You like compact card games with a bluffing edge and a historical flavor. Three players seems to be the sweet spot.

Not for you if…

You dislike hidden information and guessing games, or you want a long, deep economic game. This one is short and sly.

Vibe's take

Tight and sly. You count what you can, guess what you cannot, and sometimes you hold back a card just to see who blinks first. It plays quicker than the courtly theme suggests.