Blind Man's Bluff

Blind Man's Bluff

Blind Man's Bluff is a minigame in Suikoden V.

Description

This is a two-player card game in which neither player sees their own cards, they see their opponent's instead, and have to guess their own card's value from the expression on their opponent's face. The one with the highest card is the winner. Linfa was known to be an adept at that game, as well as a notorious cheater.

The cards

Blind Man's Bluff uses a special deck of cards. They have dots marking their value, which ranges between 1 and 12. However, 1 wins over 12. There is also a design of an elemental Rune printed on the cards. Fire will win over Lightning, which is stronger than Wind, which will beat Earth, and Water is the weakest. In the case of a draw between two cards of the same number, the strongest card is determined by the strength of the Rune. You can find another type of cards, featuring the portrait of Linfa. These "Linfa Cards", if used, increase the value of the bet by twice the number of cards used. For instance, if two cards are used, the loser will have to pay four times his bet. The "Linfa Cards" can be played at any time and carried over from one round to another if not played.

How to play

Tokens are used to increase the bet and "pay" for the cards. Before playing, you can buy up to 100 tokens. After having paid one token in the pot, both players draw a card, which they can't see. But they both see their opponent's card and they have to evaluate if their card is higher than the opponent's. If you think that your card is higher, you can raise the bet; on the other hand, if you think your card is of low value, it is best to fold. This is where the bluffing part comes in, for there is always a way to raise the bet even if you are not sure of the card, inciting the opponent to fold. Folding will mean you will lose only as many tokens as you have bet, if you have bet any, as well as the first token paid. In addition, if "Linfa Cards" are played out, the player who folds will lose 10 tokens.

The dealer plays first, deciding whether to raise the bet or to fold. In his turn, the player can decide to call in order to match the dealer's bet, to raise the bet or to fold. When the bet reaches ten tokens, or if one player calls or folds, the game is over and the players look at their cards. The one who has the highest card wins and takes the whole pot, which amounts to the two tokens paid at the beginning and the amount of the loser's bet, multiplied by twice the number of "Linfa Cards" used, if any are played. The winner will get to be the dealer next and play first.

By quitting, the player will have his tokens turned into potch again, at the same rate as when he bought them.

Blind Man's Bluff players

• Linfa is the standard player for the Beginner Mode. The exchange rate is 1 token for 10 potch. Linfa's expressions are rather easy to read and she will seldom fold, even if it is obvious that she will lose.

• Shigure is the standard player for the Intermediate Mode. The exchange rate is 1 token for 100 potch. Shigure's expressions are sometimes difficult to read and he often plays smartly.

• Jeane is the standard player for the Advanced Mode. The exchange rate is 1 token for 1,000 potch. Jeane keeps her aura of mystery even in her facial expression. She bluffs quite well and will not hesitate to fold if you raise too quickly or play out more than one "Linfa Card".