Gather

Little Max

Roll, peek, announce – and feel free to lie. The next player believes you or calls your bluff, and whoever’s wrong loses a life. The dice live on your phone, so no cup and no cheating.

  • 2–8 players
  • 10–20 min
  • ages 10+
  • works without a TV
  • vs. computer

Keep your lives the longest – through clever bluffing and healthy suspicion.

Gather on Mac: Little MaxGather on iPhone: Little Max

How it works

  1. Everyone has 3 lives. You roll two dice; only you see the result on your phone.
  2. The higher die comes first: 3 and 1 make 31. Order: 31 is lowest, then 32 to 65, above that the doubles 11 to 66, and at the very top 21 – Little Max.
  3. You announce a value that must beat the previous one. You may lie.
  4. The next player believes you and rolls themselves – or calls your bluff. Then the dice are revealed: if the value is true or higher, the doubter loses a life, otherwise the announcer.
  5. If Little Max was announced, it costs 2 lives. Then you can only call the bluff or give up (1 life).

Good to know

  • Whoever loses starts the next round.
  • Keep your phone covered – your dice are secret.

On the TV and on your phone

What you see and tap, where and when – step by step:

  1. Set up a game
  2. Ready and start
  3. Roll in secret
  4. Make your call

How to play Little Max with Gather

What makes Little Max work

  • Bluffing and reading people matter more than the dice.
  • A turn takes seconds, so the game never stalls.
  • The computer fills empty seats, and no TV is needed.

Pick Little Max when you’re a sociable bunch who likes putting on a poker face.

Skip it when someone dislikes lying or being lied to.

Frequently asked questions

Which is higher in Little Max, 66 or 21?

21, Little Max, is the highest roll. Below it come the doubles from 66 down to 11, and then all other rolls from 65 down to 31.

Can I announce the same value as the player before me?

No, in Gather every announcement must be strictly higher than the last. Matching the previous call, as some groups allow, isn’t possible.

Who loses if I doubt and the roll matches the call exactly?

You do. A roll that matches the call counts as true, as does a higher one; only if the roll is lower does the announcer lose a life.

How many lives does Little Max cost?

If an announced Little Max is doubted, whoever is wrong loses two lives. Instead of doubting, you can give up and lose just one.

Can you pass the dice on in Little Max without rolling?

No. If you believe the call, you always roll again yourself and have to beat the previous announcement – passing on blind isn’t a thing here. Your phone shows how likely a fresh roll is to beat it.

How are the dice kept secret in Little Max?

Only your phone shows your roll; the TV and the other players only see what you announce. You can play with two to eight people or alone against the computer, and you don’t need a TV.

Variants and house rules

Gather plays by the rules above. Anything you can set in the app is marked – the rest are agreements you make at the table.

With computer opponents setting in Gather

With only two players, Little Max loses the guessing about who’s lying. In the mode with computer opponents the app fills empty seats, and announcements pass through more hands.

Say it out loud table agreement

Say your value out loud as well before tapping it in – with a poker face or exaggerated calm. Your voice often gives away more than the number. The app only counts the tapped announcement; the talking is all table.

Tournament over several games table agreement

The winner of a game gets three points, the runner-up one. After a few games you know who the best bluffer is. Keep the points at the table; Gather starts each game fresh.

Good for

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