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The Exciting Rules of the Polterfass Game
Hey there, are you ready for some fun? I’m here to tell you all about the captivating game of Polterfass! Get ready to be amazed!
Now, let me explain how this game works. You’re probably wondering, what’s the deal with this Polterfass thing? Well, it’s a game that has been enjoyed by people for a long time. It’s super popular!
In Polterfass, you have a special cup, also known as a “fass.” Inside the fass, there are a bunch of small objects. The challenge is to shake the fass and try to guess how many objects are inside. Sounds cool, right?
Here’s the best part: you can actually win points when you make a correct guess! The game keeps track of your score, so you can compete with your friends and see who’s the Polterfass champion!
Now, let me give you some tips on how to play this game like a pro. First of all, you need to focus and use your keen observation skills. Try to listen to the sound the objects make when you shake the fass. This can give you clues about how many objects are inside.
Next, don’t be afraid to make an educated guess. Trust your instincts and go for it! Remember, the more you play, the better you’ll get at making accurate guesses.
But be careful! Making a wrong guess can cost you some points. So, take your time and think before you make your final decision. It’s all about finding the right balance between speed and accuracy.
Alright, now that you know the basics, it’s time to gather your friends and start playing Polterfass. Get ready for an exciting and challenging game that will keep you entertained for hours. Are you up for the challenge? I bet you are!
So, grab that fass, shake it up, and start guessing. May the best Polterfass player win!


In “The Wild Boar” tavern, barrels abound and the innkeeper is a crafty old chap! While he freely serves rounds to humble guests, he cunningly shuts off the tap for the hard-drinking boozers, reserving the refreshing brew for himself.
The Stuff You’ll Need
- 1 barrel-rolling cup
- 7 number barrels
- 2 dark special barrels
- 6 coasters
- 48 game cards in 6 colors
- 1 notepad
- Instructions
The Goal of the Game
Each round, a different player becomes the generous innkeeper. The thirsty guests compete to drink as much as they can from the freely flowing cool brew. It’s a simple concept: Whoever orders more, gets more.
So here’s the deal: the tap won’t flow if the innkeeper thinks we’re ordering too much. It’s a tricky balancing act – if we all ask for more than the innkeeper wants to serve, the tap stays closed. The goal is to be the first player to collect 75 mugs or more after several boozy rounds. Sounds fun, right?
Getting Started
First things first, everyone needs to grab a coaster and place it in front of them. And if you’re feeling extra organized, you can be in charge of keeping score with the notepad and pen. Each player is also given 8 cards of the same color, which they should keep hidden from everyone else. Got it?
Playing the Game
I’m going to teach you how to play a fun game called “Innkeeper.” You’ll have a blast, I promise!
Here’s how the game works: we’ll take turns being the innkeeper. In the first round, the player who is the most generous will be the innkeeper. Then, in each new round, the role of innkeeper will move to the next player in a clockwise direction. The innkeeper is pretty important because they get to have all the barrels and the cup. The rest of us will be the guests.
A game round has 5 phases, and we play them in the same order each time. Let me explain each phase to you:
- Phase 1: First Roll
- Phase 2: The Guests’ Order
- Phase 3: Serving
- Phase 4: The Calculation of Barrels
- Phase 5: The Bill
Phase 1: First Roll
- The innkeeper starts by rolling all the barrels onto their coaster. We can all see what numbers come up. If none of the barrels have a number standing, the innkeeper keeps rolling until at least one does.
Once upon a time, there was an innkeeper who had a knack for putting all the barrels next to his coaster. He was quite misleading, never revealing whether he wanted to keep rolling the barrels or not. In fact, he would often make wild claims just to confuse everyone.
The innkeeper had guests who would come and place cards face down in front of themselves. These cards represented the number of mugs each guest wanted to get. For example, Frances ordered 8 mugs, Becky ordered 7 mugs, and Benedict ordered 2 mugs.
Now, here’s the deal – the guests would only get the number of mugs they ordered under two conditions. First, if the innkeeper served at least as many mugs as the total number of mugs the guests ordered. Second, if none of the barrels from the current roll stood upright.
This meant that the innkeeper had to be on top of his game and make sure he served enough mugs to satisfy his guests’ orders. It was a delicate balancing act, but the innkeeper took on the challenge with zest.
And so, the phase of serving began. The innkeeper would carefully pour the beer into the mugs and distribute them among the guests, making sure each person received the correct number of mugs they had ordered.
It was a thrilling game of strategy and luck, as the innkeeper had to navigate between the guests’ orders and the unpredictable roll of the barrels. Sometimes, he would succeed and everyone would be satisfied. Other times, he would fall short, and the guests would be left wanting more.
Overall, the meaning of this game was clear – the innkeeper held the power to satisfy or disappoint his guests. It was a game of anticipation and hope, where the guests eagerly awaited their mugs, and the innkeeper did his best to meet their expectations.
In conclusion, the game “Polterfass” was a test of skill and chance, where the innkeeper’s actions could make or break the guests’ experience. It required careful planning, quick thinking, and a touch of randomness. So, if you’re up for a challenge, give this game a try and see if you can be as good of an innkeeper as the one in the story.
The innkeeper has an interesting way of serving drinks. He keeps going until he decides to stop or until all of his barrels are upright. It’s like a game to him. First, he has to choose whether to stop right away or to keep going.
In Case A, the innkeeper stops immediately. He doesn’t keep rolling the barrels, and he turns off the tap. Then, he moves on to phase 4, which is all about calculating how many barrels are still standing.
In Case B, if the innkeeper decides to keep rolling, he follows some rules. He can’t use any of the barrels that are already upright for extra rolls. He can only roll the barrels that are still lying down. It’s like giving those barrels a second chance to stand up.
I have the power to decide whether each special barrel stands or goes into the dice cup. If I choose to keep any barrels standing, I can use them again in later rolls. Then, I roll the barrels that went back into the dice cup onto my coaster and show everyone the results.

Example: There are three number barrels and two special barrels lined up.
If I keep on rolling, I have to leave the three number barrels standing and I can choose whether to leave one or both special barrels standing, or include them in my next roll.
Every time I roll again, there are two possibilities:
-
No barrel (from the current roll) is standing!
That’s the end of the turn!
Oh no! None of the barrels are upright. I failed!
When I play the game of Polterfass, my main goal as the innkeeper is to ensure that at least one barrel of the current roll stands upright. It’s a challenging task, but it’s what makes the game exciting!
If all the barrels fall and none remain standing, then I have unfortunately failed as the innkeeper. However, if I manage to keep at least one barrel standing, I can continue serving the customers and move on to the next phase.
To illustrate this, take a look at the image below. It shows a barrel standing upright, signaling that I can keep the game going. As long as there’s a barrel standing, I have the option to continue rolling the dice or stop and end my turn.

Let’s move on to the next image. This one demonstrates the serving continuing, with the innkeeper rolling the dice. It’s my choice whether I want to continue or stop at any point.

Now, let’s talk about phase 4 of the game: The Calculation of Barrels. This phase comes after the serving phase. It’s the moment where I need to assess the number of barrels standing and determine the outcome of my turn.
I have two options in this phase. Option one is to keep rolling the dice until all the barrels fall or until I decide to stop. Option two is to turn off the tap and end my turn. It’s a strategic decision that I need to make based on the current state of the game.
Remember, the goal is to keep at least one barrel standing and make smart decisions along the way. It’s an exciting and challenging game that requires both skill and luck. So, are you ready to take on the role of the innkeeper in Polterfass? Let’s get rolling!
Important: If, after the last roll, no barrel is standing upright, there won’t be any calculation of barrels. In that case, we move directly to phase 5 called “The Bill”.
Once the innkeeper turns off the tap, it’s time to calculate the barrels. The outcome of this calculation determines the number of mugs that the innkeeper will actually serve. Let me explain how the innkeeper calculates the standing barrels:
- If there are standing special barrels showing
, they are considered damaged. For each of these barrels, the innkeeper destroys one standing number barrel. - If there is a standing special barrel showing
, the innkeeper doubles the value of any standing number barrel of his choice.
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If you haven’t played before, here’s how to play Polterfass:
- The values at the top of each undestroyed barrel are added together.
- This sum tells you how many mugs the innkeeper has served. Write this number in the “Serving” column on your notepad.



When I counted the barrels, I realized that there were a total of 20 mugs. It was quite a sight to see all those barrels lined up.
But then something strange happened. The innkeeper took a special barrel and used it to destroy one of the barrels that had the number “3” on it. I couldn’t believe my eyes! After this barrel was destroyed, there were only 17 mugs left.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to stick around to see what the innkeeper would do next. He grabbed another barrel, this time one with the number “9” on it, and he doubled its value. I couldn’t help but wonder what he had in mind.
And then, the moment of truth came. The innkeeper served the drinks, and to my astonishment, there were now 26 mugs! It was incredible to see the transformation right before my eyes.
This whole experience taught me an important lesson: that sometimes, things are not what they seem. The innkeeper’s actions showed me that with a little bit of creativity and ingenuity, you can accomplish things that you never thought possible.

If the innkeeper had thought to destroy the “5” barrel and instead make the “3” barrel worth twice as much, he would have ended up pouring a total of 18 mugs.

If I destroyed the “9” and doubled a “3” barrel, then the actual amount of mugs served would be reduced to 14.

If both barrels are special, I double the value of two different barrels of my choice.



Have you ever wondered what happens when there’s only one number barrel left standing in a game? Well, let me tell you – it’s not a good situation.
First of all, let’s talk about these number barrels. They’re like the stars of the show, the ones we’re all trying to collect. Each barrel has a special number on it, and the goal is to grab as many barrels as you can.
But here’s the twist – if there’s only one barrel left, it’s not enough to save the day. You see, there’s this other barrel, a special one, that needs a partner to be useful. And if there’s no one to team up with, well, it’s a double-edged sword – you can’t use either barrel.
So, picture this – you’re playing the game, and you’re down to the final barrel. You’re so close to victory, but then you realize that you’re missing your partner barrel. It’s like having a puzzle with a missing piece. It’s frustrating, isn’t it?
Now, you might be wondering why it’s such a big deal. Well, let me break it down for you. When you have two number barrels, they have a special power. They work together to elevate your game. They regenerate your chances. It’s like having a backup plan.
But when there’s only one barrel, that power is lost. And let me tell you, it’s important to have that power. It can make all the difference in the world. It can help you reach new levels, unlock secrets, and conquer the game.
So, next time you’re playing and you see that second special barrel, don’t take it for granted. Grab it with both hands and hold on tight. Because you never know when it might be the key to your success.


When two different special barrels and only one number barrel are standing, only the destroying barrel takes effect. The doubling does not happen.
Special barrels that are lying down, like all lying barrels, don’t have any effect.
Phase 5: The Bill
Now it’s time to settle the bill! All of us will let you know what we ordered. We do this by revealing the cards we have on the table. If the innkeeper didn’t succeed, we score in the following way:

- Write down the number of mugs you want on your notepad.
- The innkeeper doesn’t get any mugs.
Example: After the last roll, not a single barrel remains standing. The innkeeper is left empty-handed, while Benedict successfully obtains all 13 mugs he had ordered.
Both Becky and Pauline manage to acquire 7 mugs each. However, Frances doesn’t receive any mugs as she had ordered 0.
Note: Case B illustrates the wisdom in playing only the “0” card: “The guests’ greed knows no bounds!”
If the innkeeper decides to stop rolling the dice (and therefore forfeits any further attempts), the scoring takes place in the following manner: The values on all the played cards are tallied up.

When you order mugs, you’ll need to keep a record of the quantity in the “Ordering” column on your notepad.

Example: So here’s the deal. The guests have ordered a total of 20 mugs. Now it’s time to figure out if all the guests have ordered more mugs than the innkeeper has served.
Let’s consider two possibilities:
- Case A: There’s enough for everyone!
- Case B: The guests are being a little too greedy!
Case A: There’s enough for everyone!
If the innkeeper has served at least as many mugs as all the guests have ordered, here’s what happens:
- Each guest gets the exact number of mugs they ordered.
- The innkeeper keeps whatever mugs are left over – that’s the difference between the total mugs served and the total mugs ordered by the guests.
I, Innkeeper Augustus, have personally served 26 mugs of refreshing drinks to all the guests. However, it turns out that the guests have only ordered a total of 20 mugs. Well, lucky for everyone, there are more than enough mugs to go around.
Now, let’s see how many mugs each player actually deserves based on their orders. Frances, you’ve only ordered 1 mug, so that’s what you’ll get. Your total count for all the rounds is now 19 mugs.
As for Benedict and Becky, you both get the 7 mugs that you’ve ordered. With this, Benedict’s overall result improves to -1 mug while Becky’s increased to a total of 15 mugs.
Pauline, congratulations! You’re getting the 5 mugs you’ve ordered. Enjoy!
And as for me, Innkeeper Augustus, I am left with 6 mugs that nobody has ordered. I guess I’ll just have to keep those for myself.
Case B: The guests are too greedy!
Uh-oh, it seems like the guests have ordered more mugs than I, the innkeeper, have actually served.
- In this case, I, the innkeeper, will take all the mugs that I have served. It’s only fair, right?
- The greediest guest is the one who has made the highest order, which could be one or several guests. If there are multiple guests with exactly identical orders, then all of them become the greediest guests. The greediest guest “receives” minus points equal to the amount they have ordered. As a result, some players may end up with a negative total score.
- The lowest order is made by the player who gets the amount that the greediest guest has ordered. It is possible for multiple players to have the same lowest order.
Every player’s scores are recorded on the notepad.

Example: Benedict, the innkeeper, served 29 mugs to the guests, but they ordered a whopping 32 mugs. Benedict gets points for the 29 mugs he served.
The greedy guests, Augustus and Frances, placed the highest order of 11 mugs each. However, they are penalized and have to subtract this amount from their overall score.
On the other hand, Becky made a modest order and scores the 11 mugs that Augustus and Frances ordered. But she only gets points for each ordered mug once, not twice.
New Rounds
The innkeeper passes all the barrels to the player on his left to become the innkeeper for the next round. Each guest retrieves their own game cards and keeps them hidden from the others.
End of the Game
The game continues until one player accumulates at least 75 mugs or more by the end of a round. The player with the most mugs at the end of the game wins.