FAQ

What's the best order to read the instruction cards in?

Can you play this mystery more than once?

Yes indeed! The unique formula we have created to craft this crime means that the killer is chosen at random every time you play, so you'll always have to seek out every last piece of evidence to catch the killer and be crowned super sleuth of the match! Replayability is endless!
Does the killer change each time?

Yes! Due to the game formula (evidence from A, B, and C catagories being chosen at random) the criminal is a mystery each time you play! NB: The same killer may commit the crime in several games, but different evidence may point to them each time. You'll never truly know who the dastardly fiend is until you've found all three pieces of evidence.
Can any more than 5 people play?

Yes! Although playing with one deck means that only 2 - 5 players can take part, if you were to purchase 2 decks and combine the action cards from both decks but only one set of evidence and suspect cards then there would be enough for up to 8 detectives to play.
Is the game rated 8+ or 14+

Due to the game theme being murder and some of the suspects are pictured smoking, we rated the original game (Manor House Murder) as 14+, however after loads of feedback and the release of Once Upon A Crime we decided to drop the rating to 8+ This means that if you own a first edition you'll be one of the few to own a deck with 14+ on the box which will no doubt be worth millions in years to come.
What's the best order to read the instruction cards in?

Is it your first case of Foul Play? You'll spot that there are 4 double-sided instruction cards with your deck. On more recent reprints of the game you'll find each of these cards is numbered with clear instructions of which order to read them in. If you have an earlier copy then we recommend reading these cards in this order: If you find the print on the cards too small to read or much prefer your rules on paper you can download the rules for free ihn A4 format here : RULES Locate the 'GAME OVERVIEW' card: Get the lay of the land and read this game introduction first. This will give you a brief synopsis of each game version, 'Good Cop' or 'Bad Cop'. Once you've read through, pick which version you'd like to play. If it's your first time we recommend playing 'Good Cop' first. Locate the 'GAME SET UP' card: Dependent on which game version you're playing, locate the 'GOOD COP: SET UP / 'BAD COP: SET UP' card: Read through and carry out the step by step guide on this card to set up your game. NB - The GOOD COP specific rules are on a card with a blue border | The BAD COP specific rules are on a card with a purple border. Locate the 'RULES OF PLAY' card(on the reverse of the 'GAME OVERVIEW' card): Now your investigation is set you'll need to uncover what you can do on your turn. The rules of play are the same for both GOOD COP and BAD COP versions. Locate the 'HOW TO WIN' card: Dependant on which game version you're playing, locate the 'HOW TO WIN GOOD COP' / 'HOW TO WIN BAD COP' card (on the reverse of the corelating SET UP cards): You're almost ready to begin your investigation but first read through this card to discover what you'll need to do in order to win the game and be dubbed Top Detective. Locate the CARD ACTIONS card: Within the deck there are up to various action cards that will determine what you can do on your turn. The double sided instruction card tells you what each action card does when you play it. You may wish to keep this card handy throughout the game, so that all detectives can refer to it on their turn. You're now ready to follow up on those leads and chase down the culprit, but who will crack the case first?

Game Play Questions

How can we settle solution disputes?

Crime solving attempts may lead to disputes, if a detective has attempted to solve a crime and other Detectives disagree with their solution then as stated in the rules of play, the evidence cards must be located to corroborate or disprove their findings. If a dispute still remains unsettled due to any uncertainty surrounding the evidence and suspect cards, then you can check our 'meet the suspects' page which lists each piece of evidence that pertains to each suspect in red text under their suspect story. If a solution dispute can't be solved by these methods then it seems there isn't enough proof to make this particular solution stick.

Still in dispute? I suppose you could take it to the judge... That's us. It may mean a mistrial, let's just hope you're not found in contempt!
To uncover the truth visit our MEET THE SUSPECTS page.

When to pick up and discard a card?

This information can be found on the 'RULES OF PLAY' card, after you've played a card from your hand you must then pick up a card from the 'Evidence Locker' which marks the end of your turn (even if you have used an action card that allows you to steal a card from another Detective). Alternatively if you don't wish to play a card you can simply discard any card from your hand and pick up a new one from the 'Evidence Locker' which marks the end of your turn.

To read the instruction cards online visit our RULES OF PLAY page.

What's the Crime Scene for?

The crime scene may seem like just 9 random cards dealt into the centre of the table, but it is oh so much more! At the start of the game there may be evidence cards or suspects hidden within it that were randomly dealt there when the game was set up. It's also a really handy place to hide suspect cards! If you know one or two pieces of evidence and have a suspect that matches them but don't want to hold them in your hand in case they get swapped or stolen then you can hide them in the crime scene to retrieve later. (Just don't forget where you hid them!)

To read the instruction cards online visit our RULES OF PLAY page.

What's the rules surrounding the Crime Scene Card?

The 'Crime Scene' card is the only card that allows you to access the 'Crime Scene' (the 3x3 card grid set up prior to starting your investigation). Place the 'Crime Scene' card face up in front of you to state your play. Then take the card you want to put in the crime scene face down next to it, (this stops Detectives taking a card from the crime scene and putting the same card back again) then swap the cards. The 'Crime Scene' card must then be discarded and a new card picked up from the 'Evidence Locker'.

You can't use this 'Crime Scene' card to swap with a card from the 3x3 grid, it must be discarded into the discard pile in order for this card action to be carried out.

To discover more about the Action Cards visit our ACTION CARDS page.

How many cards should be in play?

Although the number of cards in your hand may increase/decrease, the number of cards in play should stay the same... Are we making sense? For example in the 'Good Cop' version all Detectives start with 5 cards, so if 3 Detectives were playing you would have dealt 15 cards, that means no matter if cards are stolen, swapped and discarded this is the number of cards that will be in play if you were to count up the cards in each hand, no matter how many each Detective has in their hand at any one time. You may find this useful just in case anyone thinks they've forgotten to discard or pick up a card.

To read the instruction cards online visit our RULES OF PLAY page.