Game Rules
The Alchemical Furnace
Official rulebook
Game Objective
Gather all the Clarity Stones in the game. You win them by building during the rummy phase, take them by playing on an opponent's layout, and risk them in the Furnace. The player who gathers all opponents' Stones becomes the Supreme Alchemist.
Game Components
76 Cards Total
- 4 Families of 14 cards each (56 cards)
- 14 TRUMPS: Alchemical processes
- 6 JOKERS: Universal wild cards
The 4 Families
Card Values
For point scoring in the rummy phase (qualification at 33 points), cards are worth:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Ace | 11 |
| 2 to 10 | Face value |
| Jack, Knight, Queen, King | 10 |
Setup
Clarity Stones
Each player starts with 9 Clarity Stones
Initial Deal
Each player receives 9 face-down cards in hand
The Furnace
3 face-up cards and 2 face-down cards in the center. These 5 cards belong exclusively to the Furnace
The Draw Pile
The remaining cards form the shared draw pile
Ante
Before each turn, every player must place 1 Stone in the Furnace (starting pot)
Play Direction
Play proceeds clockwise. If the draw pile is empty, reshuffle the discard pile to form a new one
Turn Structure
On your turn, follow these steps in order:
Draw a card
Take the top card from the draw pile and add it to your hand.
Play if you can
Create, complete, or extend Runs and Triads according to the rummy phase rules below.
Discard if needed
If your hand exceeds nine cards, discard until you are back to nine. Discarded cards go to the discard pile.
Runs & Triads
Run (Suite)
Three consecutive cards of the same family. Examples: 3-4-5, Knight-Queen-King…
Triad (Trinité)
Three cards of the same rank belonging to different families.
Rummy Phase
Before any other play, you must lay down a Run.
After that first Run, you may create, complete, and extend your own Runs and Triads, as well as those of your opponents.
Clarity Stone Gains
Completing your layout
To complete, you must play 2 cards at once, within the same Run / Triad or across two different Runs / Triads.
You then take 1 Stone from the bag, as long as any remain.
Playing on an opponent
If you play 2 cards onto an opponent's layout, you take 1 Clarity Stone from them. Choose between reinforcing your own build and slowing their collection.
33 Points: a choice
At 33 points, you are qualified. Example: Run 4-5-6 = 15 and Triad of 6s = 18, totaling 33.
You may then force the Furnace or keep building to gain more Stones.
Trumps and Jokers in play
- •Trumps form a family of their own. A Trump replaces any family.
- •A Joker replaces any card during the rummy phase.
- •You may retrieve a Trump or Joker already played (in your layout or an opponent's) by replacing it with the correct card. You must use it during the same turn, otherwise you may not retrieve it.
The Furnace: risk and reward
1. Choose to force it
At the end of their turn, a qualified player (33 points) may announce: “I force the Furnace.” It is never mandatory: staying in the rummy phase can still earn Stones. If they force it, they set the bet (minimum 1 Stone).
2. Enter the Furnace
Any player who wants to take part must bet at least as much. Players who do not call fold. They lose the Stone placed at the start of the turn.
3. Prepare your hand
Before revealing the face-down cards, each participant keeps only 2 cards. The Joker is forbidden in the Furnace and cannot be used at this stage.
4. Reveal the Furnace
Flip the 2 face-down Furnace cards: the Furnace then offers 5 community cards. As in Poker, each participant forms their best 5-card hand from their 2 private cards and those 5 community cards.
5. Compare and award the pot
The best hand wins all Stones in the pot. In case of a tie, a combination with a Trump beats one without a Trump.
Best Furnace hands
From strongest to weakest:
Royal Flush
Jack, Knight, Queen, King, Ace of the same family
Straight Flush
5 consecutive cards of the same family
Four of a Kind
4 cards of the same rank
Full House
Three of a kind + Pair
Flush
5 cards of the same family
Straight
5 consecutive cards
Three of a Kind
3 cards of the same rank
Two Pair
2 different pairs
Pair
2 cards of the same rank
Victory
Continue with subsequent rounds. Two possible outcomes:
Elimination
Players who lose all their Stones are eliminated.
Supreme Alchemist
The player who gathers all opponents' Clarity Stones is declared the winner and becomes the Supreme Alchemist.
“When the Stones go dark, only the accomplished Alchemist remains.”
Quick Turn Summary
Advanced Strategies
Build or disrupt
Completing your own layout earns a Stone from the bag. Playing on an opponent takes one from them. Choose based on scores and risk.
Timing 33 points
Qualification opens the Furnace, but staying in rummy can still fill your reserve. Force only when the risk/reward is clear.
Trumps and Jokers
Retrieving a Trump or Joker is powerful, but you must reuse it in the same turn. Otherwise, leave it in place.
Furnace management
The Joker is forbidden in the Furnace. Prepare two strong cards and weigh the pot before calling a high bet.
Quick Reference
Start: 9 cards + 9 Stones
Max hand: 9 cards (discard beyond)
Values: Ace = 11 · Face cards = 10
Qualification: 33 points to force the Furnace
First play: Run required
Complete: 2 cards → 1 Stone (bag)
On opponent: 2 cards → take 1 Stone
Furnace: No Joker · Trump breaks ties