宝石泥棒の予告状 (Houseki Dorobou no Yokokujou)

宝石泥棒の予告状 (Houseki Dorobou no Yokokujou) is a game from Japan, meaning something like 'The Jewel Thief's Letter of Warning'. Originally produced in 2007, it was re-issued at the Tokyo Game Market in 2015.

This a trick-taking game but players don't have to -and may not want to- follow the colour (suit) lead. The cards show one, two or three colours each, and a player will receive a penalty chip for any color on their card which does follow the colour led.

The 40 card deck shows various aristocrats with their jewellery. The cards are ranked by number, and the 10 card is also a zero. Cards also show types of jewels in different clusters. The players are jewel thieves, trying to force their opponents into releasing valuable loot.

The designer says the unique scoring system can help a player overcome a bad hand. user summary