How to Play Candyman
Description
One player is the detective. Everyone else knows who's dealing — except the dealer doesn't know they've been spotted. A slow-burn game of signals, nerves, and one accusation you can't take back.
Also known as: Cop and Robber; Drug Dealer
Objective
Dealer: signal every civilian without getting caught. Detective: catch the dealer in the act.
Setup
Deal one card face down to each player. One card marks the dealer, one marks the detective, everyone else is a civilian.
Each player looks at their own card privately and keeps it secret.
Rules
The dealer must make eye contact with each civilian in turn and send them a secret signal, without the detective noticing.
A civilian who receives the signal counts silently to three, then openly declares they've been contacted.
The detective watches the whole table, waiting to catch a signal in progress.
Winning
If the detective spots a signal and immediately names the dealer, the dealer is caught and loses.
If the dealer signals every civilian without being caught, the dealer wins.
A wrong accusation on a civilian costs the detective the game. The detective has one accusation, used whenever they choose.