Instructions Sheriff of Nottingham

Objective of the Game

In Sheriff of Nottingham, the players take on the roles of merchants trying to smuggle goods into the city of Nottingham, while one player assumes the role of the Sheriff, who aims to uncover the smugglers. The goal is to have the most valuable legal and illegal goods by the end of the game.

Components

• Cards: There are legal goods (apples, cheese, bread, chickens) and illegal goods (such as silk, crossbows).
• Coins: Used for paying bribes and fines.
• Market Bag: For concealing the goods that merchants wish to bring into the city.
• Sheriff Marker: To indicate who is the current Sheriff.

Number of Players

3 to 5 players.

Game Setup

1. Each player takes a market bag.
2. Shuffle the deck and deal 6 cards to each player.
3. The remaining cards form the draw pile, with two discard piles next to it.
4. Each player receives an equal share of coins.

Gameplay

1. Market Phase

Each player draws cards to refill their hand up to 6 cards and can then replace up to 5 cards through: - From the Discard Pile: Picking the top card from a discard pile. - From the Draw Pile: Optionally drawing from the face-down draw pile.

2. Loading the Market Bag

• Each merchant selects up to 5 cards from their hand and places these cards face down into their market bag.
• The player declares out loud what goods they are declaring (only one type of legal goods) even if they plan to smuggle.

3. Sheriff Inspection

• The Sheriff then decides if he wants to inspect the market bags.
• Not inspecting: The merchant is allowed to pass their goods into the city.
• Inspecting: The Sheriff opens the bag and checks the accuracy of the declaration.
• Bribery can occur to persuade the Sheriff not to inspect or let the merchant pass.

Fines are imposed if illegal goods are found, or if the Sheriff wrongly suspects truthfully declared goods.

4. Sheriff Rotation

• The role of the Sheriff passes to the next player in the clockwise direction.

End of the Game

The game ends after a predefined number of rounds with each player having been the Sheriff at least once. Players then count their points: - Points for legal and smuggled illegal goods - Bonus points for majorities of legal goods ("King" and "Queen" bonuses)

The player with the highest points wins the game.

Tips and Strategies

• Bluffing: A crucial aspect is the ability to deceive the Sheriff by confidently smuggling illegal goods.
• Risk Management: It is sometimes wiser to send legal goods to avoid suspicion.
• Bribery: It can facilitate a successful smuggling. Clever negotiation is key.

Sheriff of Nottingham combines strategy with cunning and bluffing, leading to engaging and thrilling games.