The Rules
Starting The Game
► Gather 2-6 people around a playing surface. Game can be Played with up to 10 people but 4 is optimal.
► Arrange players as close to equal distance away as possible.
► Each player starts with four cards face down in front of them, arranged into a 2x2 square.
► Don't look at the cards until everyone is ready.
► Look at the bottom two cards and memorize their values. (Don't worry about the words)
playing The Game
► On each turn, players can either draw a new card or call "Toucan."
► Players may draw from the discard pile if they want.
Calling Toucan has to happen before you draw.
► When a card is drawn the player can choose to keep it by swapping it with another card placing it facedown in their hand.
► The player can also choose to play the drawn card. Cards played straight from the deck can use the power defined by the words on the card.
► Cards from any player's hand have no powers and are only their numerical value.
► The replaced card must be immediately thrown face up on the discard pile (No pre-peeking).
► Every time a card hits the discard stack, there is an opportunity for any player with a matching card to discard that card and “burn” it. Only one card can be burned per draw.
► You can burn a card from your hand OR another player's hand.
If you burn a card from another player's hand you give them one of your cards and they cannot look at it.
► If your attempted burn is incorrect, the card is returned and you take an additional card as a penalty. You do not get to see this card.
Winning The Game
► Calling "Toucan" is a gamble. Whoever calls Toucan is betting they have the lowest total value in their hand.
► After Toucan is called, other players have one last turn, whoever called toucan is off limits.
► Players reveal their cards, the lowest total value wins the round.
► To win a “Toucan” call, you must beat everyone, no ties.
► Winning a Toucan gives you a final score of -1 no matter what cards you have. Everyone else receives a score equal to the value of their hand.
► Losing a Toucan means you get the score from your hand plus 16 additional points.
► The game can be played for a set number of rounds, or until a player breaks a running score limit. A score of 100 points is recommended.
► First player to hit the score limit ends the game and the person with the lowest score wins.
► A player that discards all of their cards wins with what's called a “Natural end”. where the round ends, all players show their cards, and toucan calls are voided without penalties.
Advanced Rules
► Card swaps and burns must all be done single handed. Repeat violators of this rule will be forced to sit on one hand as a penalty.
► Players must not rest their hands on or cover their cards during gameplay.
► In the event of multiple players attempting a burn, the first card to land on the deck wins it.
► When an attempt is made at burning another player's cards first contact with the card gets the burn attempt. No tug-O-war allowed.
► A burn is attempted when a card is lifted from the table. This is the point of no return, the burn must be completed whether right or wrong.
► A burn is completed when the flipped card touches the discard pile.
► If a burn is attempted and control of the card is lost at any point in the process before it touches the deck, it can be snatched by another player and completed as if it was initiated by that player.