Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
In Cocktail, you are members of the same family who are expecting a big inheritance. To make sure you are the one to walk away with the fortune, you try to prove your honor while at the same time poisoning the rest of your family.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Betting and Bluffing
Risk resources on uncertain outcomes while disguising intentions or information.
Deduction
Combine clues and exclusions to identify hidden information.
Hand Management
Time and sequence a limited hand of cards to preserve future options.
End Game Bonuses
Earn additional points for meeting conditions evaluated when the game ends.
Memory
Remember previously revealed information, positions, or sequences.
Read the full game description
In Cocktail, you are members of the same family who are expecting a big inheritance. To make sure you are the one to walk away with the fortune, you try to prove your honor while at the same time poisoning the rest of your family. Players place cards facedown on the table, either in front of themselves or other players, while announcing what the card shows: wine, cheese, caviar, olives, for instance. But you could try to sneak in poison as well. When caught lying, you collect dishonor points which count against your score. You can also exchange cards with others, unseen. When you decide to take your drink, you shuffle and flip open the cards in front of you, gaining points for expensive food, but losing health if poison was among them. The most honorable survivor after three rounds wins the game.