Mr. Jack Pocket
- Designer Bruno Cathala , Ludovic Maublanc
- Publisher Hurrican , hobbity.eu , Mostafil Games
- Illustration Jean-Marie Minguez
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Mr. Jack Pocket, one player hides as Mr. Jack in a 3x3 grid of street cards in Victorian London, while the other controls detectives Holmes and Watson trying to reveal him. Players manipulate the board by rotating and swapping cards to change lines of sight. Each round, players choose actions like moving detectives or drawing alibi cards, aiming to either catch Jack or help him escape.
Who Is This Game For?
This two-player game suits fans of tactical deduction and hidden movement. It is a medium-weight game with about 15 minutes playtime, recommended for players aged 14 and up. Some prior experience with deduction games helps but the quick rounds make it accessible for many.
How It Works
Mr. Jack Pocket uses Hidden Movement where Mr. Jack’s location is secret while detectives try to spot him. The modular 3x3 board can be rotated and cards swapped to alter visibility. Players take turns selecting from four actions per round, including moving detectives, rotating cards, swapping streets, or drawing alibi cards. The goal is to identify or evade Mr. Jack before the other player wins.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc, Mr. Jack Pocket is a compact variant of the original Mr. Jack. It was nominated for the 2010 Tric Trac Award and 2011 Golden Geek and JoTa Best 2-Player Board Game awards. Its blend of hidden movement, modular board, and tactical bluffing sets it apart among deduction games.
Awards
2011
2010
- 2011 JoTa Best 2-Player Board Game — Nominated
Pro
- Short playtime around 15 minutes
- Engaging hidden movement mechanic
- Modular 3x3 street card board for varied gameplay
- Nominated for several two-player game awards
Contra
- Only for exactly two players
- Requires deductive thinking and some experience
- Limited depth for heavy gamers
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in post-Napoleonic London, inspired by Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper themes. The street cards represent a small section of London’s streets.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding lines of sight and how rotating cards affects the game before trying complex strategies.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Mr. Jack Pocket is designed exclusively for two players and has no solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A game takes about 15 minutes, making it a quick deduction title.
What prior experience do I need?
Some familiarity with deduction and tactical games is helpful as it is a medium-weight game for ages 14 and up.
How does this compare to similar games?
Mr. Jack Pocket is a compact version of Mr. Jack with a modular 3x3 grid focused on hidden movement and line-of-sight manipulation.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and age recommendation of 14+, it is less suitable as a family game.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of hidden movement, modular board, and map deformation through card rotation is distinctive.
Fazit
Mr. Jack Pocket offers a concise and strategic two-player experience ideal for fans of deduction and hidden movement. Recommended if you enjoy quick, tactical games requiring sharp decisions.
