Billionaires and Guillotines (v0.51 - print-and-play))

Billionaires and Guillotines is a raucous and fun, competitive board game for 2-5 players, created by Max Haiven (whose name is not a topical pseudonym, despite being only two letters away from a tax haven).

We're releasing an early "beta" version you can print and play at home!

• Read/download the rules here.
• Video tutorial here.
• Billionaires and Guillotines will be published in 2025 by Pluto Books Games. 
• Keep your eyes open for our crowdfunding campaign in late 2024.
• To keep up to date with the game's developments here.

New players can learn in under an hour. Experienced players can finish a game in less than 30-minutes.

Overview

• You take on the roles of billionaires, competing to win by claiming 🏆PRIZES before a  🚩REVOLUTION happens and every billionaire loses (almost).
• By using cards to ⬇️BID at five different 💹MARKETS, the billionaires can try and grab the five 🏆PRIZEs they need.
• But hidden in the deck are ⚡️CRISIS cards that penalize players and unleash 👊🏾REBELS.
• Players use 💰BRIBES to change 🏛️GOVERNMENT POLICY to make them richer, or to have the government  💸AUDIT their opponent.
• When the going gets tough, the billionaires can trigger a ❗PANIC! phase, where they can cooperate to try and distract the public or put down the rebellion before the 💀GUILLOTINE gets wheeled out and all the billionaires lose (more than their assets). 
• As the players gain experience, each billionaire gets assigned a secret 🎭ROLE that gives them special powers.

Elements

In order to play, you'll need to print the attached PDF in color, preferably on firm paper or card stock, and cut out the cards along the guides. I recommend using card sleeves, such as those that are used by players of Magic: The Gathering (cards are 8.34x6.34cm). Note that the printables here are supplied in A4 format, but can also be printed on 8.5x11" (US letter) formats.

You'll also need 10 counters (beads, coins, etc.) and a six-sided die.

If you need any help, please email mhaiven at lakeheadu dot ca

Tutorial

This video tutorial will help you get started. It teaches you to play Billionaires and Guillotines in three stages, each one adding more complexity. Try pausing the video between stages and playing a few hands. You'll be stashing your stolen wealth in dubious offshore tax havens in no time.

• Welcome and overview: 00:00-02:12
• Stage one: The basic game: 02:18-13:00
• Stage two: The intermediate game: 13:00-24:00
• Stage three: advanced game: 24:00-37:00