Are there rules for using gaming sets?

Question

Just started DMing, and in a moment of hubris had a NPC challenge the party to a game of cards… which one of the PCs was proficient in. When asked the reasonable question of "ok what now," I realized I had no idea and a quick skim of the DM guide and PHB (and a longer look later) revealed nothing. Something that could have been fun and a nice character moment turned into a "sorry guys, let me just throw something together and move along."

Are there rules in 5e for what rolls/checks/contests are necessary or expected when using a gaming set? When and how would proficiency come into it? What other skills and proficiencies could come into play (ex: a sleight of hand check to cheat at cards)?

Answer 1

The use of the various types of tools (including the Gaming Set) do not rely on a particular skill but instead simply use an ability score appropriate to what you are trying to achieve.

From the first paragraph on p. 154 of the PHB:

For Example, the DM might ask you to make a Dexterity check to carve a fine detail with your woodcarver's tools, or a Strength check to make something out of particularly hard wood.

Having proficiency with a particular set of tools allows you to add your proficiency bonus to the roll in addition to the bonus (or penalty) granted by the ability score that is being used.

As for how the situation would play out, p. 174 of the PHB describes how to handle a contest between two individuals:

Both participants in a contest make ability checks appropriate to their efforts. They apply all appropriate bonuses and penalties, but instead of comparing the total to a DC, they compare the totals of their two checks. The participant with the higher check total wins the contest. That character or monster either succeeds at the action or prevents the other one from succeeding.

If the contest results in a tie, the situation remains the same as it was before the contest.

In your particular case it would depend in part on what game they are playing and what sort of approach they are taking. They could maybe use Charisma to try and bluff their opponent. Or they could try and read their opponent with an Intelligence or Wisdom check. Maybe even Dexterity to try and discreetly slip a winning card into their hand.

Participants do not have to use the same ability check: the NPC could try to bluff the PC with a Charisma check while the PC tries to read the NPC with Intelligence.

Answer 2

Here are the rules from the PHB p.154 concerning gaming sets:

If you are proficient with a gaming set, you can add your proficiency bonus to ability checks you make to play a game with that set. Each type of gaming set requires a separate proficiency.

It is not specified which ability checks you could use, but Sleight of hand (vs Perception, most likely) would probably be a good one for card games, for example.

Another example: in a bluff game (like poker), you could use Deception (vs Insight) and add your proficiency bonus if you are proficient with this particular game.

Answer 3

Three-Dragon Ante has rules on how to play it in-game

One of the gaming sets in the PHB is a card game called Three-Dragon Ante. This is not just a game inside the game, it is a real card game you can buy. On p. 24 of the rule book of the legendary edition you can find Appendix 5 with the 'Roleplaying Rules', which explains on how to play this game inside of D&D.

Here they explain three basic ways on how to play it:

1. Just using skill checks without needing the card game at all
2. Just playing the real card game while roleplaying
3. Combining skill checks with the card game

The latter of which is then explained in greater detail with a lot of optional rules you can add.

Answer 4

What I would do is have the player and the npc each roll what I would call a "Game roll." Basically, instead of a skill, like Deception or Insight, they use their proficiency with that game, so the game itself is the skill check. For example, a player might engage a noble in a game of Dragonchess. Both participants would roll an Intelligence(Dragonchess) roll, then the highest roller wins the game. You could also do a best 3 out of 5 type of thing, since Dragonchess is a longer game.

I use this system because playing any game requires a variety of skills, so attaching it to any one skill isn't quite accurate. Plus, if you used Charisma(deception) for poker instead of your proficiency with playing cards, for example, what's the point of even having the proficiency? It would be useless.

Answer 5

I dislike all answers so far, so I'll give my own.

Solving the challenge with a pure diceroll is the same as solving a puzzle with a pure Intelligence/Charisma/Wisdom check: while RAW, it sucks.

If the NPC challenged the PC to a game of cards, play a (simple) game of cards with the player. If the character is proficient in the game, have them roll to gain advantages in the game, depending on the roleplaying.

Example:

• The character gets challenged to a round of poker, so you play a hand of poker against the player.
• The player rationalizes that because of the proficiency of their character in poker, they should have ample experience in counting and predicting cards.
• Have them roll Intelligence (Playing Cards). On a 15-20, tell them one of the cards in your hand. On a 20-25, two cards, etc.
• The player says he should be able to palm a few cards? Have them roll a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) or Dexterity (Playing Cards) and allow them to swap out cards in their hand depending on the result.
• They're able to bluff away their opponent? On a successful Charisma (Bluff) or Charisma (Playing Cards) check, you play your hand sub-optimally.
• The player says they can read tells? Wisdom (Insight) or Wisdom (Playing Cards) and you give away part of your thought process during play.