Robin Hood

About this board game

Robin Hood is a bluffing and investigation game for 3–5 players, with games lasting about 50 minutes. Set in 13th-century England, it places players among workers trying to sell goods inside a castle during celebrations for King John’s birthday.

Prince John has taken his brother’s throne and imposed abusive taxes, while also banning certain types of goods. To make a profit, players must attempt to enter the castle carrying products to sell. At the gate, however, the Nottingham Sheriff investigates selected players to discover whether they have illegal or undeclared goods.

The game uses the same basic mechanisms as Hart an der Grenze, known in Brazil as Jogo da Fronteira, while adding new elements to the setting and experience. Players must decide what to declare and what to risk bringing inside, knowing that the Sheriff may choose to inspect them.

• Play across three parties and a final birthday celebration.
• Try to sell goods in the castle while avoiding trouble at the gate.
• Use Robin Hood for help at least once during the game.
• Finish with the most money to win.

Robin Hood can steal anything a player asks him to take, but his involvement creates rumors in the streets. Those rumors may make that player a more appealing target for the Sheriff, adding another layer of risk to every request.

With its combination of declarations, suspicion, investigation, and calculated risk, Robin Hood challenges players to balance profit against exposure. After the three parties and the final celebration, the player with the most money wins. The game was released in 2011 and was later re-implemented as Sheriff of Nottingham.