Mäxchen

Mäxchen is a traditional bluffing dice game from German-speaking regions, also known as Mäxchen, Meiern, or Meier. It is typically played with two six-sided dice and a cup. The game is commonly played in casual settings and pubs, often among friends in a circle.

Equipment and setup: Players sit around a table and take turns rolling the two dice inside a cup, keeping the result hidden from others. The aim is to bluff about the outcome and challenge opponents’ claims when suspicion arises.

How it is played: On a turn, a player rolls the dice, privately looks at the result, and then states a hand by naming a two-digit value derived from the dice. In many variants, a hand that contains two identical numbers (a pair) is considered weaker than most non-pair hands; non-pair hands are usually ordered by the higher die first and then the lower die. A common convention in many circles treats the combination 21 (one and two) as a particularly strong hand, often called Mäxchen, though the precise ranking can vary by region or household rules. After a hand is announced, the next player may either accept and try to outbid with a higher hand or challenge the claim by calling out a possible lie. If a challenge occurs and the rolled hand matches the claim, the challenger loses; if the claim is false, the roller loses. If no challenge is made, play passes to the next player who must announce a higher hand or risk a future challenge.

End and penalties: The game continues with penalties typically taking the form of losing a life, losing a chip or drink, or accumulating points. The session ends when only one player remains without penalties, who is declared the winner. Variants differ in ranking details, penalties, and exact calling phrases.

Mäxchen emphasizes social interaction and bluffing over strict rules, contributing to its enduring popularity in German-speaking communities.