Hell of a Deal Co-op Poker vs the Devil Announced

Wydawnictwo Smirk&Dagger has officially announced Hell of a Deal, a new cooperative card game built around poker-style play—where teamwork is the only way to survive a casino showdown with the Devil himself. The premise is simple: everyone wants to win, and in this hellish world, cheating is both a tool and a ticking clock.

Quick facts

Game: Hell of a Deal
Genre: cooperative card game with poker-inspired mechanics
Player count: 2–4
Playtime: 90–120 minutes
Age rating: 14+
Setting: The Last Resort & Casino
Release window: 2026

A casino run where lying is part of the rules

The game takes place in the casino known as The Last Resort & Casino, where winning is described as the party’s last chance to escape. Since every demonic opponent cheats, players are encouraged to do the same—though the more they lean into fraud, the closer they get to their own downfall. The cooperative tension comes from balancing risk: push too hard, and the group doesn’t just lose a round—it collapses entirely.

Poker-style standoff against infernal bosses

Hell of a Deal uses rules inspired by Texas Hold’em, with players receiving three cards total, including one concealed in a sleeve. When the time comes to reach the “Great Table” for a final confrontation with the Devil, the team must first defeat a set of demon bosses. Named bosses include Dedly Aloor, Jack Potts, the Brothers Dreadful, and Roul-ette, and each one changes how the game is played—also requiring a minimum hand strength to break through.

How cheating works—and what it costs

Central to the design are special cards and a punishment system that turns greed into consequence. Powerful “Grace” and “Temptation” cards let players cheat in ways such as creating a four-card flush, but using them triggers a cost tied to either a curse or falling under temptation. If the party exceeds the temptation limit, the entire group loses immediately.

Souls, power tokens, and high-stakes reversals

Players can trade tokens to gain “Souls,” which function as the currency needed to fight the Devil. Betting with power tokens unlocks distinctive abilities—for example, letting the team peek at a boss card or draw from the discard pile—but outcomes can swing hard. Losing a hand flips the tokens and imposes harsh penalties for the round, keeping every decision tense even when you’re ahead.

What’s included in the retail version

The detailed retail package is built to evoke a real poker table. It includes 52 specially designed poker tokens, each weighing 11.5 grams, plus six neoprene mats. One of those mats is sized for a shared community table at 28"x20".

Designed to welcome new poker players

While it’s built on poker concepts, the cooperative structure and built-in guides are positioned to make the game approachable even for players who are just starting with poker-style gameplay. With a 2–4 player setup and a 90–120 minute session length, Hell of a Deal is clearly aiming for a substantial group experience rather than a quick card night.

Release date

Hell of a Deal is scheduled to launch in 2026.