Molly House^*

Molly House is a semi-cooperative card game by Jo Kelly and Cole Wehrle about London's queer molly subculture in the early 1700s, for 1 to 5 players aged 14 and up.

What's it about?

You play the mollies, the gender-defying regulars of London's secret molly houses. They threw masquerades and cruised back alleys. The Society for the Reformation of Manners wants all of it gone, and its constables are watching. You protect the community around Mother Clap's Molly House together, yet each of you still wants to come out on top.

How a game flows

1. Draft hands of vice cards: gestures, desires and encounters the Society frowned upon.
2. Use them to host festivities with fellow mollies and create joy.
3. Risk the same cards getting you arrested and pushing the house toward ruin.
4. Meet the Society's enforcers and either pay a bribe or be coerced into informing.

Informers then work in secret against the group. They must undermine the house without being caught, so every deal at the table carries a little suspicion.

At a glance

• Designers: Jo Kelly, Cole Wehrle (Wehrlegig Games)
• 1 to 5 players, best with four
• 60 to 120 minutes, ages 14+
• Mechanisms: drafting, negotiation, push your luck, traitor, solo mode

Conclusion

Molly House is heavy, bold and rich in history. Groups who enjoy negotiation, bluffing and a strong theme will get a lot out of it. Players looking for a quick, light family game should look elsewhere.