Trick-taking card games, like Hearts and Euchre, have been around for over a century and can be played with a basic deck of cards. But over the past few decades, and especially in the last few years, game-makers have really gotten creative with the trick-taking style.
Trick-taking games have exploded in popularity once again, thanks to a multitude of interesting themes, artwork, and overall game design. With so many games and so little time (and money), you’re probably wondering: How do I choose? Never fear, faithful reader. Here is a list of some of the best trick-taking games you should certainly try.
Fox in the Forest
Fairy Tale Characters Give Actions
Fox in the Forest is a two-player trick-taking game. The goal is to win tricks, but if a player wins too many tricks, they score zero points and lose the game.
The Fox in the Forest leans into the fairy tale theme with odd-numbered cards displaying characters such as a witch or fox. These cards have a special ability, which can change the results of the tricks. Another interesting part of the game is the scoring. At the end of the game, points are tallied based on a chart on a player-aid card. If a player wins too many tricks, i.e. ten to 13 tricks, they score zero points and lose the game. The sweet-spot is to win six to nine tricks to be victorious.
Diamonds
Gems Galore!
Diamonds is a trick-taking card game during which players try to collect physical diamonds to store in their vault. The player with the most diamonds in their vault and showroom wins.
This game is so cool because it comes with acrylic “diamond” gem tokens! These diamonds are collected when a player cannot play a card that follows suit or when a player wins the trick. Depending on the suit card played, players can either place diamonds into their vault or showroom. Some suits even allow players to steal diamonds from other players' showroom. This gives the game added interaction and gives players who can’t follow suit a small benefit.
Cat in The Box: Deluxe Edition
Schrodinger’s Cat Tricks
Cat in the Box is a trick-taking game in which players determine the color of the card once they play it. The game contains tokens and small boards.
What a concept! Players start the game with a hand of cards with numbers only, then they place tokens predicting how many tricks they think they are going to win. Players then play cards, and they determine the color of the card by placing a token on the corresponding number and color on a track.
Being able to choose what color you have is a fascinating twist on this trick-taking game. But players must be careful not to cause a paradox, which happens when a player can not play a card number because all the color slots are taken.
Sail
Navigate The Sea Together
Sail is a trick-taking card game that allows players to navigate the turbulent waters on a ship and attempt to outmaneuver the Kraken.
Sail is a trick-taking game for two players who are working together to sail the ocean. However, players are limited to what they can communicate about the cards in their hand. This game feels like an adventure as players play tricks to move the ship toward whoever wins the trick, or they take damage, depending on the symbols on the cards.
Lunar
Not your basic trick taker
Lunar is a trick taking game for two or four players. Players work together as a team to combine moon phases and animals to make tricks.
Lunar has so many interesting aspects! Honestly, the game is better when played with four players, so keep that in mind. Players work as teams of two, and each player either plays a number card or a color card in order to complete a full trick. The team that wins the trick, advances on the tracking board. As the players advance, they move into different sections of points.
Certain cards also have stars and stars are tallied on another board. This game has so much going on for a trick-taking game, so it is definitely not for beginners. But, if you want a quick, tense, intriguing game, this is the game for you.
Mori
Tricky rolling
Mori is a trick taking game that allows dice to be played as dice. Dice are earned when players win tricks.
At the start of the game, players roll 10 dice and place them on a small board in the middle. Players follow the lead and then whoever wins the trick can select a die from the middle. The die can be used in place of a card, but it is always the losing one. The dice in the middle also determines the trump. At the end of the game, you score the leaves on the cards and subtract the skulls. The dice are a cool implementation and give the game more depth.
FAQ
Are trick-taking games good for beginners?
If you have never played a trick-taking game before, I would suggest starting with The Fox in the Forest or Diamonds, and then work your way up to others. Some of the games on the list are trickier (ha!) than others.
Does theme matter in trick-taking games matter?
In most trick-taking games, no. But there are some games that bring a little more theme than others. Sail brings a little more theme to the table.
