Skull

SKULL (originally SKULL & ROSES) is a MINIMALIST BLUFFING PARTY GAME designed by HERVÉ MAROT (France), published by LUI-MÊME (France) later Asmodee. Originally released as SKULL & ROSES in 2011; reprinted as SKULL by Asmodee in 2013. 3-6 PLAYERS use just 4 WOODEN ROUND TILES each (3 FLOWERS + 1 SKULL) — no board, no dice, no cards beyond these. Extremely simple physical game with DEEP BLUFFING TENSION. Bid on 'HOW MANY FLOWERS I can flip without hitting a skull' after all players secretly place tiles. Considered THE MINIMALIST MASTERPIECE of bluffing games + a benchmark for elegant party game design. WON multiple French game awards (As d'Or 2012 nominee, Tric Trac). HELD BGG TOP-50 PARTY for 12+ years (2011-2026). GAMEPLAY: Each player has 4 tiles (3 flowers + 1 skull). Each round: (1) BID PHASE — one player begins by placing a tile face-down in front of them; each other player then plays a tile OR ENTERS BIDDING; (2) A player enters bidding by declaring 'X flowers' (must be higher than previous); (3) Other players raise bid or pass; (4) Highest bidder becomes THE CHALLENGER; (5) Challenger must FLIP their own tiles first (start with own), then any other players' tiles totaling to bid; (6) SUCCESS = all flipped are flowers = challenger flips own tile face up (records win); (7) FAIL = any flipped is a SKULL = challenger LOSES A RANDOM TILE FOREVER (given to loser player). WINNER = first to 2 successful challenges. GAME OVER FOR PLAYER = when down to 0 tiles (out). BLUFF: place skull first, bid low, force others to flip. TRUST: place flower, hope opponents can't detect. Considered PSYCHOLOGY GAME > mechanics; you're reading FACES not cards. RECEPTION: BGG top-50 party 12+ years; multiple French game awards; considered a MASTERPIECE of minimalist design.

First to 2 successful CHALLENGES wins.

Win condition · First to 2 successful challenges wins.

Each player has 4 wooden round tiles (3 flower + 1 skull) + personal mat/coaster (biker gang theme in original art).

• Skull base box

  $20 USD; 24 wooden tiles + 6 personal mats

• 6 personal mats (biker-gang themed art)

  Themed art per player

• 24 wooden round tiles (18 flower + 6 skull)

  3 flowers + 1 skull per player

• Skull-first bluff

  Play skull first + let others follow with flowers; then bid low to lure opponent challenge.

• Trust-building rounds

  Play flowers early; build trust before bluff round.

• Force challenger to flip your tiles

  Big bids force challenger to flip yours = they might hit your skull.

• Read player tendencies

  Some players never bluff early; some bluff every round.

• Play mind games

  Table talk, glances, deliberate slow placement = psychological weapons.

Flower

Safe tile (3 per player).

Skull

Danger tile (1 per player); flipped = challenger loses.

Bid

Declaration of 'X flowers' — must be higher than previous.

Challenger

Highest bidder who must flip declared number of flowers.

Attrition

Lost tiles are gone forever; 0 tiles = out of game.

• As d'Or 2012 nominee (France)

  annual · France · since 2012

• Tric Trac awards (France)

  annual · France · since 2011

• BGG top-50 party 12+ years

  ongoing · worldwide · since 2011

• 🇫🇷France
• 🇩🇪Germany
• 🇺🇸United States
• 🇬🇧United Kingdom
• 🇮🇹Italy
• 🇪🇸Spain
• 🇵🇱Poland
• 🇦🇺Australia
• 🇨🇦Canada
• 🇸🇪Sweden
• 🇳🇱Netherlands
• 🇯🇵Japan

• Lui-Même (original publisher)

  Founded 2011 · France

• Asmodee (current publisher)

  Founded 1995 · France

• Hervé Marot (designer)

  Founded 2011 · France

• Asmodee — Skull— Asmodee
• BoardGameGeek — Skull— BGG
• Wikipedia — Skull (game)— Wikipedia