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GET YOUR BEARINGS
About This Ain’t Even Poker, Ya Joker
This indie strategy game puts you in the Jester’s domain, where you must build and manipulate a deck of cards to escape. You grow your hand by buying new cards, even breaking the five‑card limit if you have enough resources.
Beyond hand size, you can send minions on expeditions, upgrade missions, and make deals with Mary the Fairy for fresh starts. Progress is tracked with coins, poker chips, and upgrades that let you confront the Jester and aim for dominance.
01 / THE GUIDE
Grow Your Hand
Purchase additional cards to increase the odds of forming strong hands. The game allows you to exceed the usual five‑card limit when you have sufficient wealth.
A larger hand gives you more options each round, helping you to meet the game’s objectives and advance toward escape.
- Focus early purchases on cheap cards to quickly expand hand size.
- Balance spending between hand growth and other upgrades to avoid resource bottlenecks.
02 / THE GUIDE
Expeditions
Once unlocked, you can dispatch minions on expeditions that reveal otherworldly cards with powerful benefits. These missions can be upgraded for stronger effects.
Some expedition missions also let you destroy unwanted cards, shaping your deck exactly as you prefer.
- Upgrade expedition missions early to maximize the quality of discovered cards.
- Use destruction missions to prune weak cards and keep your deck efficient.
03 / THE GUIDE
Buy Upgrades
Coins earned in play can be spent on powerful upgrades that speed progress, open new options, and prepare you for the final confrontation with the Jester.
Upgrades also support other systems like expeditions and hand growth, creating a synergistic loop.
- Prioritize upgrades that unlock new decks for faster hand expansion.
- Invest in upgrades that reduce the cost of future purchases.
04 / THE GUIDE
Establish Dominance with Decks
You can acquire new decks of cards, allowing you to play more hands simultaneously. This multiplicative effect accelerates growth and resource accumulation.
Managing multiple decks requires careful selection to keep each hand effective.
- Swap decks when a particular hand strategy stalls.
- Keep a backup deck with low‑cost cards for early‑game flexibility.
05 / THE GUIDE
Ascend to Greatness
Making a deal with Mary the Fairy lets you restart the game in exchange for poker chips, a special currency used for even stronger upgrades.
This mechanic offers a fresh start while preserving progress through the new chips.
- Save poker chips for upgrades that cannot be bought with regular coins.
- Time your ascension after a strong hand to maximize chip earnings.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion