The Premise:

Ready to play politics? Capitol Deal puts you in the shoes of an ambitious politician. Climb the ladder of power in DC and aim high: becoming President! How? Collect three full sets of Power Cards. But here's the twist! Unleash Action Cards to swipe cash, swap cards, and even squeeze campaign donations. Keep your rivals on their toes with Reaction Cards to foil their plans. Oh, and don't forget to build up those Campaign Funds! Why? Because just like you, those sneaky players are politicians too, always ready to deal, steal, and mess with your plans. Let the political games begin!

How to win:

The name of the game is Capitol Deal, and your mission is crystal clear: snatch up three complete sets of Power Cards before anyone can rain on your parade with a pesky Reaction Card.

Age: 

Capitol Deal is where the big kids come to play, ages 17 and up. But hey, if you're a younger political prodigy, we've got a clever solution! Simply team up with a wise adult who's into the voting scene. Remember, age is just a number when it comes to ruling the Capitol!

Players: 

3-7+ players. Two players can give it a shot, but let's be real—it's a cakewalk. To spice things up and keep the thrill alive, you gotta shake up the game a bit. Check out the handy guide below during setup to remove some cards and make it truly enjoyable. On the flip side, if you're in the mood for a wild ride and a larger crew, welcome to 'Party Mode'! Invite more than seven players to join the fun. But hey, be warned: with so many folks in the mix, things can get a tad diluted, and attention spans might wander (especially if there's an epic party happening alongside). So, choose your game style wisely and let the Capitol Deal extravaganza begin!

Game Setup: 

Alright, before diving into the political battlefield, we've got a couple of prep steps for you. First up, grab that sneaky 'Impeachment' Action Card. Give it a little makeover with a pen or marker, relabeling it as a Reaction Card. Why? Well, we made a goof, but fear not! Future versions will fix this slip-up. So, for now, save it for a dramatic reaction to someone else's potential victory. Talk about shaking things up!

Now, onto shaping the game to your liking. Want more skill, less luck? We've got you covered. Take a good look at these cards: 'Kingmaker,' 'Wild Cards,' 'Insurrection,' 'Ponzi Scheme,' 'Filibuster,' and 'Do You Know Who My Father Is.' Remove any or all of them to shift the game towards a skill-based showdown. It's all about customizing your experience, baby!

In smaller games, having too many of those nifty Power Cards can turn players into jacks of all trades but masters of none. We want our cunning competitors to focus their concentration on completing sets, not hoarding an endless supply of possibilities. So, why not sprinkle some strategic spice by reducing the number of Power Cards? It'll keep their wits sharp and the game at full throttle!

Now, let's talk Campaign Funds, those sly little safety nets. Too much financial security on the Hill? Perish the thought! We want our players to experience the thrill of risk-taking, to feel the adrenaline rush of uncertainty. Therefore, in smaller games, we propose trimming down the number of Campaign Funds. It'll keep those Power Cards flowing like a game of political hot potato, ensuring maximum fun and nail-biting excitement!

So there you have it, folks! Our secret recipe for fast-paced action and heart-pounding excitement. See the chart for card removal suggestions, we guarantee a game that's lively, lightning-fast, and downright addictive.

Suggested Card Removal for GamePlay

*Do not remove the Flip-Flopping Power Cards as they are targeted specifically with an Action Card

The Layout:

Take a look at the awesome image above! Right in the middle of the action-packed table, you'll spot the draw pile (1). If you've got a massive game going on, we've got you covered with not just one, but two draw piles. Easy access for everyone! Players can choose whichever pile they fancy. Options, baby!

Right next to it, we've got the spot where players proudly showcase their discarded cards (2). Face up, mind you, because we want everyone to witness those triumphant Actions or Reactions. You'll also spot a special place in the center called the Central Bank (3), where cards are stacked face down, ready to spice up the game.

Now, check out what's in front of each player. On the left, there's a sweet collection spot for their Campaign Fund (A). Show off those stacks of cash, my friend! And the rest of the table? That's reserved for the epic Power Cards (B). Keep 'em organized and grouped into glorious sets. It's all about that power move, baby!

How to start:

• Shuffle and deal 5 cards to each player, face down.

• Sneak a peek at your cards, but shh! Keep 'em secret from prying eyes.

• Drop the rest of the cards face down in the center. Voila! We've got one or two draw piles now.

• The winner of the last game or the early bird who first casted a vote kicks things off.

• Play moves clockwise, unless someone pulls a sneaky action to switch things up.

How to play:

On your turn

• Grab up to two cards from the draw pile to beef up your hand. But hold up! No hoarding allowed—you can't end your turn with more than 7 cards. Keep it snappy!

• It's showtime! With those three cards in your hand, make up to 3 moves. Slap 'em face up on the table or toss 'em into the discard pile. Need the nitty-gritty? Check out the details below for all the juicy moves.

• Remember, each card you play counts as a move. Those flashy cards you put down are the real players in this game. They're in the spotlight now!

• Other players can't swipe any cards from your hand. They're off-limits, folks!

• You're the boss of your own moves. If you don't want to play a card (unless you've got too many in your hand—oops!), it's totally fine. You call the shots!

Play your three moves in any combination of the following:

A: Build up your Bank! Place cards into your Campaign Fund

• Pop those precious Campaign Funds, Action, and Reaction Cards in there. It's like your own personal piggy bank, but with a political twist!

• You must hustle and build up your Campaign Fund pile, whether it's stacking up cash or using those sneaky Action/Reaction Cards.

• If you toss an Action/Reaction Card into your Campaign Fund, it's a one-way ticket, bidding adieu to the game. Sayonara, action or reaction! When you use it to pay another player, that card goes straight into their Campaign Fund

B: Make a Power Play. Build your collection

• Lay Pow Cards down on the table, right in front of you. It's all about flexing your sets and climbing the ladder of power.

• Each Power Card comes with a handy little guide. It tells you how many cards you need to complete a full set. Keep an eye on those numbers!

• Group your Power Cards into the same set, stacking them on top of one another. But make sure the count is visible, so other players can gauge just how close you are to that sweet victory

• Gather as many Power Cards as you fancy. But here's the catch: to secure victory, you'll need three different complete sets.

• You can only shuffle your Power Cards on your turn. And watch out—each time you move a Wild Card to another set, the only reason to do a shuffle,  it counts as a move. Gotta plan those moves wisely!

C: Take an Action! Play Action and Reaction Cards into the discard pile.

• Let the action begin! Action Cards are the key to unleashing your political prowess. They let you steal, swap cards, demand payments, and even mess with other players' turns. 

• Defend and conquer! Reaction Cards come to the rescue. They allow you to protect yourself (and sometimes others) against those sneaky Action Cards. Stay sharp and be ready to thwart their plans!

• Place those Action/Reaction Cards face up into the discard pile then follow the instructions on the card you played. It's like your own little playbook!

• Need some quick cash injection? Action/Reaction Cards can also double as money in your Campaign Funds pile. When in a pinch, use their value as currency.

• The Central Bank comes into play. If an Action requires payments to the bank, that card must be placed face down in the bank. Watch those funds flow!

• When an Action Card calls for a draw from the Central Bank, the lucky person doing the draw gets to decide if they want to shake things up and shuffle the cards first.

Important Rules

• Table manners matter! Once a card hits the table, it stays put. No card teleportation back into any player’s hands allowed. Cards can only go to your Campaign Fund or Power Card Collection when snatched from others or drawn from the Central Bank.

• Time to pay up, my friend! Only cards on the table can be used for payments. It's slick to pay from your Campaign Fund (a tad shady, but hey, it's legal), but you can also use those mighty Power Cards as currency.

• Hold onto your change! When paying, there's no loose change returned. The lucky recipient keeps it all. Cha-ching!

• Power Card payment alert! If you cough up with Power Cards, they must join the other player's Power Card collection. It's a power move with a twist!

• Running low on funds? If you can't meet the demanded amount, pay what's left in your pocket. If you've got no cards to play with, lucky you—no payment required. Phew!

• Enter the Kingmaker card, the monarch of complete sets. It's a game-changer! Unlike other complete sets, this card has no loyalty—it's always stealable. Watch out when a player reveals its power!

The Central Bank

Certain Action and Reaction Cards have the power to make your opponents make payments into the Central Bank. To play by the rules, those payment cards go face down into a pile right in the center of the table. It's like the secret stash of the game!

But here's the twist: after dropping cards into the Central Bank or even before fishing them out, players can mix things up like a boss. It's all about keeping everyone on their toes. Who knew banking could be so thrilling?

As the game unfolds, brace yourself! That Central Bank will slowly fill up with cards over time. It's like a money magnet, snatching away precious Campaign Funds from play. And guess what? Less Fund protection means players become juicy targets for the ruthless actions of their competitors. It's a battle of wits, strategy, and a whole lot of risk-taking!

So, watch those payments stack up, stay on your toes, and get ready for the ultimate Capitol Deal showdown. The Central Bank is the heart of the action, my friend, and it's all about playing smart and staying one step ahead!

Ran out of cards?

Imagine this: the game has gobbled up all the cards in the draw pile. We're not done yet.Gather up that discarded treasure trove of cards, give them a good shuffle, and transform them into a fresh, face-down draw pile. Yes, you heard it right—a brand-new draw pile bursting with Action and Reaction Cards. Talk about a game-changer! So, shuffle up those discarded dreams, and let the stealing and dealing reach new heights!

Settle Disputes

Here's the scoop: if you find yourself in a heated debate over a card, hop on over to our website at capitoldeal.us  for a dose of clarity. We've got the latest version of our rules waiting for you, along with a treasure trove of card knowledge.

Navigate your way to the card's dedicated page, where you'll uncover a wealth of information. We're talking detailed explanations about its role in the game, as well as the political issue it represents. It's like unlocking a secret vault of insight!

So, whether you're itching to unravel the mysteries of a card or settle a passionate dispute, our website is your go-to destination. Get ready to level up your understanding and settle those debates with style. The power of knowledge is in your hands, my friend. It's time to explore, learn, and dominate the Capitol Deal battleground!