
2026
From BoardGameGeek
The Banjo King provides a 40 card deck to play 2 different games for 2 or 4 players. The suits are Banjos, Baskets, Pickaxes, and Hatchets. The first game is a card collector called Moonshine, inspired by the classic game Scopa. 4 cards are dealt face-up to the center and players are dealt 3 cards each. On your turn you can capture cards from the center by playing one that matches in value. You can capture several if they add up to the value of your card played (this can't be done if your card pairs with one in the center). If your card played does not capture any cards, it is added to the center instead. Once the players are out of cards, they are dealt 3 more. Play continues until the deck is empty. Capturing the remaining cards in the center is called a moonshine, and scores you extra points. There are several ways to score even more points such as capturing the most cards, or the Banjo king himself! First to 11 points wins. The second game is a trick-taking game called Blessed, inspired by the classic game Briscola Deal each player 3 cards and flip the top card of the deck. This card will be the trump suit for the hand. Players take turns clockwise playing any card (may follow rules). Highest trump suit wins the cards played, highest of lead suit if no trump suit is present. Starting with the winner of the trick, draw back up to three cards. The winner of the trick will lead next. Play until the deck is empty. The catch is most of the cards are worth 0 points, so throwing out a strong one might get you nothing if not timed well!
The Banjo King has 2 videos from 1 creator: 1 review and 1 how-to-play guide. They date from September 2026.
To learn the rules, start with "The Banjo King - 2 Player #howtoplay #tutorial #tutorialtuesday" by Merry Married Meeples, which runs 3 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "We Have Some Blessed Moonshine - The Banjo King #review" by Merry Married Meeples.
If you like it, try SCOUT, dnup, Jungo or Oh My Brain, which share several of its mechanics.
2024Kei Kajino (梶野 桂)
2 - 5 players15 - 20 minLight weight
2025荒尾 俊樹 (Toshiki Arao)
2 - 5 players15 minLight weight
2021Bruno Cathala, Théo Rivière
2 - 5 players10 - 15 minLight weight
From BoardGameGeek:
The Banjo King provides a 40 card deck to play 2 different games for 2 or 4 players. The suits are Banjos, Baskets, Pickaxes, and Hatchets. The first game is a card collector called Moonshine, inspired by the classic game Scopa. 4 cards are dealt face-up to the center and players are dealt 3 cards each. On your turn you can capture cards from the center by playing one that matches in value. You can capture several if they add up to the value of your card played (this can't be done if your card pairs with one in the center). If your card played does not capture any cards, it is added to the center instead. Once the players are out of cards, they are dealt 3 more. Play continues until the deck is empty. Capturing the remaining cards in the center is called a moonshine, and scores you extra points. There are several ways to score even more points such as capturing the most cards, or the Banjo king himself! First to 11 points wins. The second game is a trick-taking game called Blessed, inspired by the classic game Briscola Deal each player 3 cards and flip the top card of the deck. This card will be the trump suit for the hand. Players take turns clockwise playing any card (may follow rules). Highest trump suit wins the cards played, highest of lead suit if no trump suit is present. Starting with the winner of the trick, draw back up to three cards. The winner of the trick will lead next. Play until the deck is empty. The catch is most of the cards are worth 0 points, so throwing out a strong one might get you nothing if not timed well!
Publisher
Twogether Studios
Categories
Mechanics