Smoke & Mirrors (2015) Board Game

Smoke & Mirrors is a bluffing card game released in in 2015. Designed by Sara Beauvais and Fabrice Weiss, this game is published by Button Shy and falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, and print & play. It is designed for 2–5 players with a 15-minute runtime and is suitable for players aged 8 and above.

Game Components of Smoke & Mirrors

18 cards, divided into three decks: one deck with all 1s, one deck with all 5s, and one deck with numbers 1-5.

Each deck contains exactly one mirror card, which can duplicate the value of any other card it’s played with.

The cards are housed in a bi-fold plastic wallet.

How To Setup Smoke & Mirrors

To set up the game, each player is dealt one card from each of the three decks. This simple setup ensures that the game can begin quickly, with players having a balanced but limited set of cards to work with.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Bluffing Mechanic: Players must create a magic act with a trick value one number higher than the player to their left using any number of their cards.

Ascending Order: The first player claims a trick value of one, the next player claims two, and so on.

Challenging: Any player can challenge another player’s claim. If the challenge is correct, the challenged player is eliminated from the round. If incorrect, the challenger is eliminated.

Mirror Card: The mirror card can duplicate the value of any other card.

Passing: Each player can pass their turn once per round to avoid making a claim.

Game Objective: The last player standing in the round wins, with the goal of eliminating other players by challenging their claims or outlasting them.

Player Experience

Playing **Smoke & Mirrors** is a quick and tense experience. The game relies heavily on social deduction and bluffing, where players must carefully observe the cards played and the claims made to deduce whether another player is lying. The limited card pool and the presence of mirror cards add layers of strategy, as players need to balance the risk of bluffing against the need to maintain credibility. The game encourages careful observation and strategic thinking, making it engaging for players who enjoy puzzle-solving and social interaction.

Pros

Surprising Depth: Despite its small size, the game offers a significant amount of depth and strategy.

Easy to Learn: The rules are simple, making it easy for new players to join.

Quick-Playing: Games are typically short, allowing for multiple rounds in a single session.

Engaging Gameplay: The combination of bluffing and social deduction keeps players on their toes.

Cons

Randomness: The random distribution of cards can sometimes lead to frustrating outcomes.

Theme: The game’s theme, centered around a magic show, is not particularly exciting for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Smoke & Mirrors

**Smoke & Mirrors** is ideal for players who enjoy bluffing games and social deduction. It’s perfect for those who appreciate quick, strategic games that can be played in short sessions. While it may not offer the lighthearted atmosphere of some other bluffing games like **Love Letter**, it provides a more thoughtful and engaging experience for players who enjoy puzzled-solving and strategic play. If you’re looking for a game that packs a lot of depth into a small package, **Smoke & Mirrors** is definitely worth considering.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.