Coyote Game Review

The Basics:

• For ages 10 and up
• For 3 to 6 players
• Approximately 20 minutes to complete

Geek Skills:

• Active Listening & Communication
• Counting & Math
• Logical & Critical Decision Making
• Risk vs. Reward
• Bluffing and Misdirection

Learning Curve:

• Child – Easy
• Adult – Easy

Theme & Narrative:

• Bluff your way to victory!

Endorsements:

• Child Geek approved!
• Parent Geek approved!
• Gamer Geek mixed!

Overview

Native American culture is rich in history, art, music, and language. One of the creation myths includes the clever Coyote who embodies chaos and order. A trickster spirit who attempts to misguide and outwit, but never with ill intent or evil purpose. In this game, you’ll match the guile of the Coyote among your friends and family as you attempt to outwit and out-bluff them all. Careful consideration is a must to ensure that your lies and truths blend seamlessly while simultaneously listening closely for clues to call your opponents’ bluff!

Coyote, designed by Spartaco Albertarelli and published by HeidelBÄR Games, is comprised of 36 cards and six card stands. The cards are impressive, with glossy print and highly stylized illustrations that appear to be heavily influenced by Native American art. Artist Zona Evon Shroyer did a fantastic job.

Getting Ready to Bluff

To set up the game, complete the following steps.

First, give each player one card stand.

Second, separate the Peek cards and set aside. Shuffle the remaining cards together to create a single deck. This is the draw deck for the duration of the game.

Third, give each player three Peek cards. Players place the Peek cards in front of them in a row. Flip the Peek cards so two of them show an open eye and the third shows a closed eye.

That’s it for game setup. Determine who will go first and begin!

Lying for Fun and Profit

Coyote is played in turns and rounds with no set number of rounds per game. A typical game round is summarized here.

Step One: Everyone Draws One Card

Each player draws one card and places it in their card stand. It’s crucial that the player not see the card they drew. Only the player’s opponents should be able to see the value on the card they drew.

After each player draws cards and places them in their card stand, draw one additional card and place it face-down in the middle of the playing area.

Step Two: Determine the Initial Bid

The first player of the round now makes the initial bid. This should be done by evaluating the cards visible to the first player. Remember, the player can only see their opponent’s card values but never their own.

Adding up all the numbers that they see, the player guesses the total value of all the cards in play, including their card and the face-down card in the middle of the playing area, keeping in mind that some cards reduce the total value and two unique cards that allow the player to adjust card values. Regardless, the first player should attempt to guess the total number without going over it, but bluffing in this game is highly encouraged. Depending on their strategy, it might be in the player’s best interest to well overbid or underbid.

Step Three: Adjust or Challenge the Bid

Each player after the first player now has two possible actions. They can either raise or challenge the current bid, but not both.

• Raise the Bid: The player sets the new bid value. The new bid value must be higher than the previous bid value. The next player in the turn order sequence now takes their turn.
• Challenge the Bid: The player can challenge the bid only if they believe the current bid value is less than the actual total. The round is about to end!

All the cards in play, including those in the middle of the playing area, are placed face-up and added to resolve the challenge.

• If the total value is less than the previous bid, the player who challenged wins and gets to flip one of their Peek cards so the open eye is showing. The round is now over.
• If the total value equals or exceeds the previous bid, the player who stated the current bid loses and must discard one of their Peek cards back to the game box. If this is the player’s last Peek card, meaning they have no more in front of them, they are out for the game’s duration. The round is now over.

Step Four: Ending the Round

After resolving the challenge, the round ends. Collect all the number cards in play (players should not touch their Peek cards) and shuffle them back into the draw deck. Give each player a new card to place in front of them and a new card to place face-down in the middle of the playing area.

A new round begins with the loser of the last round opening with the initial bid.

Peeking and Special Cards

If the player has at least one open-eye Peek card, they may flip it over (do not discard it) and secretly look at the face-down card in the middle of the playing area. After this, they must raise the bid.

There are two special cards in the game that are resolved during the challenge.

• “?” Card: This card has no value and is replaced with a new card drawn from the deck. This newly drawn card is then included when determining the total value of the cards in play.
• “Max 0” Card: This card changes the card with the highest value to zero.

Leading the Liars

The game continues until only one player remains with Peek cards. This is the winning player.

Game Variant

A game variant named “The Trickster ” is included. This variant includes a new Coyote card that can be used to look at the top card in the draw deck and then add it to the middle of the playing area, face-down. The player must then raise the bid.

To learn more about Coyote, visit the game’s web page.

Final Word

The Child Geeks enjoyed the game, finding it fun to try to bluff their way to victory. They mentioned more than once how the game can feel frustrating at times because they don’t have all the information, but this also made the game entertaining. According to one Child Geek, “I think the math can be hard sometimes, but not the first time you see the cards. It gets hard to track how much people think the total is and how much you think it is. I was initially confused, but came to like how the game was played.” Another Child Geek reported, “I know I’m not supposed to lie in real life, but I always like lying in games. I should feel bad that I’m good at it, but I don’t. I liked this game!” When the last card was put back in the box, the Child Geeks took a vote, and all agreed that Coyotoe was a great deal of fun.

The Parent Geeks also enjoyed the game, finding it fast, intuitive, and engaging. They didn’t care much for the game with large groups, finding there to be too much downtime, but when paired with their kids or just a few of their peers, they had a great time. According to one Parent Geek, “A fun new version of Liars Dice, but with cards. I enjoyed the game a great deal and found it clever that you had just enough information visible to make informed decisions but not fully informed. Great stuff.” Another Parent Geek said, “A very satisfying game. Played well with a mixed group, didn’t stay too long on the table, and always gave the player a choice. A great game I’d welcome to the family gaming table again in a heartbeat.” When the Coyote was chased off, the Parent Geeks took their vote and found the game entertaining.

The Gamer Geeks enjoyed the game’s concept but were not as enthralled by the gameplay. One Gamer Geek said, “I’ve played games like this in the past. Too many. I like what the game is about, but I found nothing new or interesting about the gameplay. Bluff and lie until you win. Good enough for casual players, but I want more in my games than just telling tales.” Another Gamer Geek said, “I don’t understand why my peers would boo this game. Yes, it is simple, and yes, it has been done before. But the game is tight and intriguing. It’s best with players with whom you compete a great deal, giving you just one more opportunity to stick it to them.” When all was said and done, the Gamer Geeks took their vote and revealed they were of two minds. Some enjoyed the game, while others were not at all interested.

Coyote is a fast and engaging game. I liked it a great deal, and yes, it’s very much like Liars Dice or any other bluffing game you can think of. What set this game apart was its speed and how little space it took. I have played this game at the family gaming table and on restaurant tables. I’ve played it with three players and six. I’ve played it with kids and adults.  It always made me think, laugh, and grumble, regardless of where I played it and with whom. I think any game that provides that level of unique and consistent gameplay, irrespective of who you play it with and where, is worth paying attention to.

Of importance is the number of players you are playing with. More than just a few of my players mentioned that the more people you have, the more downtime you should expect. I found this true when I played the game with six players. While not terrible, do expect the game to feel long in the tooth with so many at your gaming table. Worse yet, if you are knocked out early, you get to twiddle your thumbs until the game is ended. That doesn’t sound like fun, but with fewer players, the game goes faster, meaning a player knocked out early can expect the game to play faster with them not participating.

Try Coyote when you can, even if you are overly familiar with bluffing games. Nothing is new here, but the formula is solid, and the gameplay engages everyone at the table. Sit down with your friends and family and see if I’m lying.

This game was given to Father Geek as a review copy. Father Geek was not paid, bribed, wined, dined, or threatened in vain hopes of influencing this review. Such is the statuesque and legendary integrity of Father Geek.