Coyote

About this board game

Coyote is a bluffing game for 3–6 players that takes about 30 minutes to play. Set in a western world, it challenges players to estimate a hidden total while trying not to overstate what the cards show.

Each player receives a card showing a number of “hidden” Indians or a special value. The card is secured to the player’s forehead with fabric tape, so everyone can see the other cards but not their own. That limited information makes every declaration a risky guess.

During play, players declare increasingly higher numbers as they try to guess how many Indians are shown across the cards. If a player is caught over declaring, they lose. The central tension comes from balancing what can be seen, what might be hidden, and how confidently the other players are bluffing.

Special cards add further surprises to the game. Their presence means that every turn can bring an unexpected twist, while the uncertainty around your own forehead card keeps even seemingly obvious judgments dangerous.

• Bluffing and deduction in a western setting
• Hidden cards with Indian values or special effects
• Increasing declarations that can punish overconfidence
• Play for 3–6 players in around 30 minutes

Kidultgame originally published Coyote in 2003. French editions from Tilsit followed in 2004, 2005, and 2006, including a real-feathers accessory. The game was reprinted by Oliphante in 2010, and from 2011 the French company Gigamic held its international rights and printed and distributed a new edition.