How to Play

The Basics: Faro

Your goal is to turn a profit as the Dealer. Each hand, players bet on a card rank to either win or lose.

You deal two cards: the first is the LOSING card, the second is the WINNING card.
You pay winners from your bankroll, and take the losers' bets for the house.
If both cards are the same rank (a SPLIT), you take half the money bet on that rank.

The Table: Players & Suspicion

Every player at your table has a unique personality and a suspicion threshold. Pushing your luck too often will have consequences.

Using cheats or special skills increases Suspicion. If it gets too high, a player will issue a Challenge.
A Challenge is a minigame (a duel, a poker hand, etc.). Winning removes the challenger from the table; losing costs you Health.
Use Gambits (Flatter, Threaten, etc.) from the left panel to manage players: manipulate their bets, lower their suspicion, or investigate them for weaknesses.
Watch for a "Tell". If a player shows a Tell and you let them win with a Normal Deal, the entire table gets suspicious.

The Long Game: Survival & Upgrades

Your ultimate goal is to survive three stages (Texas, Wyoming, Arizona), each lasting 7 nights.

Each night consists of 10 hands. Your Health decreases by 1 each night due to your illness. Reaching zero Health ends your story.
Between nights, you'll be offered three Upgrades. Choose one to aid you. They come in three types:
- Memories: Powerful passive bonuses.
- Skills: Once-per-night active abilities that cost suspicion.
- Allies: Friends in high (and low) places who provide unique advantages.

Permane Fidelis — Stay True

The Georgia Gentleman

JOHN HENRY HOLLIDAY - You were not always a gambler. You earned your degree in dental surgery from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery.

But fate dealt you a cruel hand. At 23, you were diagnosed with consumption—tuberculosis. The doctors gave you months to live, advising a move to the arid climes of the American West.

Your old life was over, traded for a new existence in dusty saloons where a quick mind and a steady hand at the card table could earn a man his keep... for as long as his luck and his lungs held out.

Select an action to learn more about this player.

You've Been Challenged!

Wait for the signal...

5-Card Draw

The cards are dealt. High hand wins.

Challenger's Hand ()

Your Hand ()

A Test of Nerves

Don't flinch. Hit the target when it appears.

Charm Offensive

Stick the Landing

Hit the Ace of Spades. Don't hit the skull.

Three Card Monte

Keep your eye on the lady...

Pour One Out

Don't overpour. A gentleman knows his limits.

BUCKING the Tiger

"Semper Elegantiam Serva"

Gambits

Target

Select a player, then a gambit. Success chance and status will show here.

Night 1, Hand 1

Losing

Winning

Soda Card

Health: 10/10

Money: $500

YOUR HAND

The Night is Over

A moment of respite. Choose how to sharpen your edge.