Renfield

Renfield

Designer: James Ernest
Publisher: Cheapass Games
Type: Card
Status: Free
BGG entry http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2149
Available at: http://www.cheapass.com/free/games/renfield.html

Mmm, Bugs. You can't eat just one.

Renfield is what the Gravediggers of Parts Unknown play for money, when they're not scavenging body parts for Science.

It's a gambling game about parts, tools, gravestones, and bugs. Yummy, delicious bugs.

Renfield was originally released in 1999 as Cheapass Games #019. Due to a printing error, one of the most important words ('Double') was left off one of the most important cards (the 12s). And, due to an overwhelming lack of interest in the game, it died four years later at the tail end of its initial print run.

Thus, we are thrilled to relate that if you, esteemed player, print and cut these cards yourself, you will be instrumental in creating the first typographically correct edition of Renfield, ever.

You will need to unzip and print two files: The Rules and the Card Fronts. Two more files, Card Backs and Box design, are also included, and you can use those files to make card backs and a box if you're really a sucker for punishment. There are a total of 54 cards, which means (at 9 per page) you need 6 pages of cardstock to print them. Or 6 pages of labels and a poker deck (with jokers) that you don't like any more.

You will also need money to play this game. We recommend poker chips that stand for real money, preferably at ten dollars a point. Hey, live a little. Besides, in a game with this much randomness, you can't possibly expect to lose all the time.