Sheriff of Nottingham is a rollicking game of negotiation, bluffing, and bribery set in the bustling market of Nottingham. Players alternate as Merchants trying to stock their stalls with valuable goods and as the Sheriff inspecting bags for contraband. The catch? The Sheriff must pay a penalty if they wrongly accuse an honest Merchant. Negotiation is everything: strike a deal, offer a bribe, or talk your way through—whatever it takes to get your goods past inspection and make the biggest profit.
How to play
Each round, one player becomes the Sheriff while others are Merchants. Merchants place goods in sealed bags and declare what they're carrying—truthfully or with a cunning lie. The Sheriff can inspect any bag, but if the Merchant was telling the truth, the Sheriff pays a penalty. Merchants can negotiate, offer bribes, or persuade the Sheriff to look elsewhere. Once a bag passes inspection (or the Sheriff decides not to inspect), the goods go to the Merchant's stall and score points. The player with the most profitable stall after all rounds wins.
Why you'll love it
Sheriff of Nottingham thrives on player interaction and psychological gameplay. Every declaration matters: is that Merchant really carrying apples, or are they hiding silk? The negotiation is the heart of the game—you'll laugh, bluff shamelessly, and make deals that seem ridiculous in hindsight. The 2nd Edition includes new rules, Black Market cards, and Deputies, adding fresh layers of strategy and unpredictability. It's perfect for groups who love social games, party nights, or anyone who enjoys reading people and talking their way out of trouble. Games move quickly (45 minutes) and remain engaging from start to finish.
Game details
• Players: 3–6
• Playing time: 45 minutes
• Age: 10+
• Genre: Bluffing, negotiation, party game
• Themes: Medieval market, merchants, sheriffs, contraband, commerce
• Gameplay: Simultaneous action selection, negotiation, bluffing, role rotation, risk assessment
• Negotiation-heavy: Central to gameplay
• Player elimination: None (all players active every round)
What's in the box
• 110 Gold Coins
• 216 Goods cards
• 6 Deputy cards
• 6 Black Market cards
• 2 Deputy standees
• 6 Merchant stands
• 6 Merchant bags
• Sheriff standee
• Booty tile
• Rulebook
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