Dead Man's Hand Review

DEAD MAN'S HAND is the 28mm skirmish game by Great Escape Games. Bands of tough and wily Cowboys, stoic Lawmen, ruthless Outlaws and crazy Desperados fight for fame and respect in the Old West.

With an accompanying range of 28mm miniatures and pre-painted buildings, now you can fight legendary gunfights of the historical Old West and the silver screen. This rule book contains all the rules you need to recreate your gunfights and twelve blood-soaked scenarios.

Renegade Injuns!

The ''Buy In'' for DMH is not surprising for a skirmish level game rather on the lowside (£40-£75) but if you are really keen or have a number of like minded friends you can grab one of the many starter deals.

There are 8 Gangs/groups to choose from:

Lawmen
Outlaws
Desperados
Cowboys
7th Cavalry
Pinkertons
Banditos
Renegade Indians

Armed Citizens

The rules play with a card based activation- you deal a card to each figure and activate in card order. Additionally you hold a hand of 3-5 cards that you can play at any time depending on the wording on the card.

With only 14 pages of rules in the main rulebook (There is also an expansion with rules for 4 gangs) It's all rather lovely and tidy.

I have never played a Old West game before but this game has got me by the short and curlys and I have no doubt I'll be buying rather soon.