Cucco - Quick Rules

Overview

• Players: 2 to 20 players (best with 5–10).
• Deck: Traditional Cucco deck (38 cards) or an adapted standard deck.
• Objective: Do not hold the lowest card at the end of the round. Each player starts with a set number of lives (e.g., 3).

Setup

1. Each player is dealt one card face down.
2. Remaining cards form the draw pile.
3. Play proceeds clockwise, starting with the player to the dealer's left.

Gameplay

On your turn, look at your card and choose one action:

• Keep: Say "I keep" or tap the table. The turn passes to the next player.
• Exchange: Say "Exchange" and offer your card to the player on your right. They must swap cards with you unless they hold one of the Special Cards (blockers):

Special Cards (Blockers)

If the player you attempt to trade with holds one of these, they say the specific phrase and the exchange is blocked:

• Cucco (15): "Hai visto il Cucco!" (You've seen the Cuckoo). Exchange blocked; your turn ends immediately.
• Mascherone (14 - Mask): "Fermati al Mascherone!" (Stop at the Mask). Exchange blocked.
• Leone (13 - Lion): "Basta al Leone!" (Stop at the Lion). Exchange blocked.
• Gatto (12 - Cat): "Gnao!" (Meow). Exchange blocked.
• Ostessa (11 - Hostess): "Fermati all'Ostessa!" (Stop at the Hostess). Exchange blocked.

The Dealer: As the final player, the dealer can choose to keep their card or exchange it with the top card of the draw pile.

Round End & Scoring

After the dealer has played, everyone reveals their cards.

• The player(s) with the lowest card value lose one life.
• If there is a tie for the lowest value, all tied players lose a life.
• Once you lose all your lives, you are eliminated from the game.

Card Ranking (High to Low)

15 (Cucco) > 14 (Mask) > 13 (Lion) > 12 (Cat) > 11 (Hostess) > 10 to 1 (Number cards) > 0 (Null/Fool).