Pyramid Pick
Witch Trial Card Game
Published by Cheapass Games
Designed by James Ernest
Illustrated by Charles Dana Gibson
84 cards, 1 board, and a rulessheet; $6.00
It is the late seventeenth century in America. You are a lawyer, you are convinced that Mad Gertie Hayes is guilty of the Ol' Hokus-Pokus, and you are going to make sure the jury is convinced as well. You bring into evidence that Mad Gertie keeps bad company and that she is known to read without moving her lips. The jury seems to agree, but your opposition, a sly defense attorney, presents Mad Gertie's friends as character witnesses and relates that Mad Gertie regularly works with children. The jury sways towards the defense, but you have one final trick up your sleeve. You point out that, even in today's noon sun, Mad Gertie casts no shadow! Aghast, the jury finds Mad Gertie guilty, sends her to her fate and, most importantly, you collect the court fees for a successful prosecution.
If this sounds like a fun evening, then Cheapass Games first release in 2001, the card game Witch Trial, will appeal to your inner-barrister. Set around the time of the Salem witch trials, three to seven lawyers prosecute and defend suspects who are charged, not with witchcraft, but with related crimes such as drinking, pilfering, and golf. Whoever wins the case also keeps the court fees. The player with the most money after all the suspects are tried wins the game.
Money is not simply . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: March 2, 2001
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