Pelusas

Players: 2-6
Duration: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy
Age: 8+

General Description

Pelusas is a quick and simple push-your-luck card game. Players collect cards from a central pile representing dust bunnies, trying to accumulate the most points without repeating numbers. The twist is that your cards stay visible and other players can steal them!

Game Components

  • 110 cards numbered from 1 to 10:
    • Numbers 1-5: 13 cards each
    • Numbers 6-10: 9 cards each

Game Objective

Accumulate the most victory points by the time the central pile runs out.

Setup

  1. Shuffle all cards and place them face-down in a messy pile in the center of the table - these are the “dust bunnies”
  2. The player with the most dust bunnies under their bed goes first (or the youngest)

How to Play

Your Turn

Step 1: Collect saved cards

  • If you have cards saved from the previous turn (face-down), flip them and add them to your scoring pile - they’re now safe points!

Step 2: Draw cards

  • Draw cards one at a time from the central pile
  • Place each card face-up in front of you, organized by number
  • The first two cards are always safe

Step 3: Decide - Continue or Stop?

After each card (starting from the third), decide:

If you continue drawing

  • If the card DOESN’T repeat any number you already have → add it to your visible cards
  • If the card DOES repeat a number → you LOSE ALL cards from this turn! (they go to discard)

If you stop

  • Flip your cards in front of you face-down
  • These cards stay saved until your next turn
  • At the start of your next turn, you’ll add them to your scoring pile

Stealing Cards from Rivals

This is where the game gets interesting!

When you reveal a card, look at other players’ visible cards:

  • If your number matches visible cards from a rival, you steal ALL their cards of that number
  • Stolen cards are added to your visible cards (of the same number)
  • Watch out! Now you have more visible cards that can be stolen from you!

Example: You reveal a 4. Maria has two visible 4s. You steal both 4s and now have three 4s in front of you.

End of Game

The game ends when the central pile runs out of cards.

Scoring

  • Each card in your scoring pile is worth 1 point (the number doesn’t matter, only the quantity)
  • The player with the most points wins!

Tiebreaker

In case of a tie, the player with the highest numbered card in their scoring pile wins.

Basic Strategies

  • Stop before having too many different numbers: The more numbers you have, the higher the chance of repeating
  • High numbers are safer: There are fewer cards of 6-10 (only 9 of each)
  • Take advantage of stealing: If you see a rival with many cards of one number, try to draw it!

Advanced Strategies

  • Count the cards: If you remember which numbers have come out, you can better calculate the risk
  • Provoke rivals: Accumulate few visible cards to avoid being an attractive target
  • Timing your stops: Sometimes it’s worth stopping with 3-4 cards to secure points
  • End game: When few cards remain, take more risks!

Tips for Beginners

  1. The first two are free: You can always draw two cards without danger
  2. Don’t be too greedy: 4-5 cards is often a good amount to save
  3. Watch the others: Rivals’ visible cards give you information about what’s left
  4. Stealing changes everything: A stolen card can be the difference between winning and losing

Why It’s Fun

  • Fast: 20-minute games
  • Easy to learn: Very simple rules
  • Constant tension: Every card could be good or bad
  • Interactive: Stealing creates very fun moments
  • For everyone: Perfect for families and diverse groups

History and Fun Facts

  • The name “Pelusas” refers to dust bunnies that accumulate under furniture
  • It’s an excellent example of a “push-your-luck” game - you always want one more card!
  • Games are short and addictive, perfect for playing several in a row
  • The stealing system adds a strategic layer that differentiates it from similar games