Secret Helper GDD (my design)

1. 1
“Secret Helper” Design Document
Contacts: Jeff Houchens, Game Designer jehouchens@fullsail.edu
Last Saved On: 11/22/15 1:17 AM
Themes: Consensus & Concealment
Goal..................................................................................................................................................................................2
Setup...............................................................................................................................................................................2
Gameplay.....................................................................................................................................................................2
Requirements...........................................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................................4

2. Goal
The goal of the game is to reach 500 or more points first.
Setup
I. The game will start by shuffling a deck of playing cards seven times.
Jokers are including in the deck as wildcards.
II. The dealer will deal each person 7 cards
III. The player to the left of the dealer will be given a token of some sort: a
coin, a poker chip (that won’t be used to bet), etc. This player is the
“secret helper”
Gameplay
IV. Each person including the “secret helper” will look at their cards and try
to put the following hands together:
Three of a Kind Three of the same number/letter
Small Straight 4 consecutive numbers/letters off suite
Large Straight 5 consecutive numbers/letters off suite
Flush 5 random numbers/letters same suite
Four of a Kind Four of the same number/letter
Straight Flush 5 consecutive numbers/letters same
suite
Royal Flush 10 through Ace of same suite
V. The player to the left and right of the secret helper will then show two
cards of their current hands to the secret helper, but not to anyone else.
These can be any two cards they choose.
VI. The secret helper then chooses which player to assist and they combine
hands. A secret helper must choose someone.
VII. The players without the secret helper may discard up to 5 of their cards
and draw the same amount of cards from the top of the deck for a chance
at a better hand
VIII. The secret helper and player he chooses may NOT draw any new cards

3. IX. All players show their cards and tally up the hands they have (from
above). Any cards that are not part of the hand are 0 points. The hands
use the following point chart:
3 of a Kind 2-9 = 15 points
3 of a Kind 10, J, Q, K = 30 points
3 of a Kind Ace = 45 points
Small Straight 40 points per Straight
Large Straight 45 points per Straight
Flush 50 points per Flush
4 of a Kind 65 points each 4 cards
Straight Flush 75 points per Flush
Royal Flush 100 points per Flush
X. The secret helper and the player he chooses both are rewarded the total
points their hand creates (i.e. if the hand generated 100 points, they both
get 100 points)
XI. If the player(s) not chosen has 0 points for the turn, they have the option
of stealing another players points for the turn. This can only be used 1
time per game
XII. Hand is over
A. The score keeper will tally the new score for each person
B. The job of the dealer and secret helper will rotate to the next person
clockwise
C. If someone has 500+ points, the game is over
D. If there two or more people tied with 500+ points, the game will
continue until only one person has the lead as long as it is 500+points
Requirements
I. A pack of official poker playing cards
II. 3+ People
III. Pen and Paper to keep score

4. Conclusion
The key to this game is deciding what cards in your hand could most
potentially benefit you, if you want to show the secret helper two cards that are
beneficial to him (because he may choose you) or you and (if you’re the secret
helper) which person you choose to combine cards with. It is possible for each
player to have two different three of a kind’s or, if they combined cards, two
different small or large straights. Two royal flush’s are also a possibility, although
the lowest probability.