How Trick Taking card games work *Top 10 mechanisms*

This video looks at the different types of trick taking games available, and categorises them by their game-play. There are loads of examples of great trick taking games (and the closely related climbing games) in here!

[@actualol]

Incredible video, I love how thorough and educational it is. And this is from someone who doesn't typically care that much about trick-taking games. My favourite is Skull King, and I'm certainly drawn to contract games, which add a layer of tension that I really enjoy.

[@AdaminWales]

Thanks Jon!

[@guacamolen]

Thanks for this overview! I'm wrapping up a design for a trick-taking game and came here to see how unique of a scoring mechanic is that I'm introducing, and I'm leaving with a lot of respect for designers in the genre.

[@AdaminWales]

Thanks - that’s great! Good luck with your game :)

[@alymbouras]

The video is amazing! It's so informative and detailed, and even as someone who's not a big fan of trick-taking games, I still found it engaging. I'm particularly fond of Crown Battles which has neat graphics and unique powerful cards!

[@taterjoe]

This video is helping me immensely with creating my own trick-taking game. Trick taking is such an incredible mechanism that doesn't get too much spotlight but I've fallen in love with so much. What I'm doing with trick taking is adding a couple more mechanisms to it, making it a challenge for myself to break down and learn the intricacies of the fun of trick taking games. Thank you for the wonderful insight and many games of trick taking.

[@AdaminWales]

Good luck with your game!

[@skeezaworkan]

I love how Claim redesigned traditional classic German Whist.

[@ninajiron5488]

Great video. I have been looking for more trick taking games to add to my collection, and you mentioned so many that sound fantastic! Thank you!

[@staciehaden8888]

I have almost all of these. Trick taking and ladder climbing are definitely my favorite mechanism. I bought Sticheln and Scharfe Schoten from your video. I had them on my radar, but you sealed it.

[@jamesbrazeal3847]

I always look forward to your next video. Another great video Adam.

[@AdaminWales]

James Brazeal Thanks James.

[@boardgamefangirl]

Once again Adam--a fantastic video. I always feel like I've taken a class when I watch your videos--very educational (and interesting!). I've put your game Pikoko onto my bgg wishlist.

[@AdaminWales]

Boardgame Fan Girl Thanks! Glad you are still enjoying the videos! :)

[@alessandromorandini4401]

What a lesson! Thank you!

[@Lancelot1137]

Wow. Immediately subscribing! Plus, your game Picoco looks incredible. I want to purchase it!

[@AdaminWales]

Lance Ryan Thanks Lance! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@XRay44]

Cahoots was a neat one that came out this year that I really liked.

[@lukenarlee8118]

Great video! Just getting into trick talking games. Also, your game collection is amazing and very impressive.

[@AdaminWales]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@jakesvosvo]

Great video. I'm a big trick taking fan. Pikoko looks very interesting! I'll probably be picking that one up once it's available.

[@AdaminWales]

Jacob Svobodny Thanks Jacob! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@pincao]

Great insight Adam. Well done. Pikoko looks very interesting..

[@AdaminWales]

Thanks Paul - hope to run into you at Essen!

[@planetageekmx2004]

Great video Adam! I like the way you classified the games

[@AdaminWales]

Thanks. It’s an old one now! But I really enjoyed researching it :)

[@beaverproject]

Nice explanation.

[@MargueriteCottrell]

my two favorites are still Nyet and Rowboat. I would LOVE to try Pala (and of course your Pikoko!)

[@MargueriteCottrell]

oh and I still haven't played Claim! must to catch up!

[@AdaminWales]

Pala really deserves to come back with a bigger release!

[@DanielVieu]

Pala is really good, ill have to try Rowboat, havent heard of it.

[@edmundengland]

Great video! I really learned som vital stuff this film. I'm designing a trick-taking card game. Do you know of a book on the topic on the history of trick-taking games.

[@AdaminWales]

Edmund England Hi Edmund, I believe David Parlett’s book on the History of Card Games is well regarded. I haven’t read it though.

[@jeremyoverton7047]

HurrahI absolutely ADORE trick taking games and will be gladly seeking out a copy of your new game Pikoko at UKGE. Will you be on the Brain Games booth Adam?

[@AdaminWales]

Jeremy Overton Hi Jeremy, I don’t have an official slot to spend time at the Brain Games booth, but undoubtedly I’ll be hovering around there a lot because they will be launching my drawing game Doodle Rush in the U.K. for the first time, as well as Pikoko. I’ll also be signing copies of my speed-game Big Bazar at the Coiled Spring booth, both days.

[@jeremyoverton7047]

Adam's Boardgame Wales Thanks Adam. I will keep a look out. It would be great to say Hi. And congratulations on your third published game!

[@Rodney-dd6zg]

Hi Adam- based on your explanation, would UNO be a climbing game?

[@AdaminWales]

Rodney1210 Hi! My explanation was not the clearest! I combined “shedding” and “climbing” games into one genre. They are related but separate. Uno is not a climbing game. The defining feature of a climbing game is that each player must play higher than the previous player (i.e. “climb” higher). Uno is a “shedding” game (you need to get rid of all your cards). Most climbing games are also shedding games (but not all shedding games are climbing games). I believe there are non-shedding climbing games, but I haven’t played any!

[@Rodney-dd6zg]

Adam's Boardgame Wales Thanks for clearing that up. I really enjoy these videos where you go deep into game genres

[@MonkeyDash2009]

Dyfed -4 sounds about right ;)

[@AdaminWales]

Rob Fisher Yes, I tried to make it as realistic as possible.

[@lordoftheflings]

So its basically all luck, based on the cards you happen to get?

[@AdaminWales]

There’s certainly a lot of luck involved - but it varies a lot from game to game. Many have a timing element; some are about making predictions; some about reading other players’ actions and intentions; and trick taking games always have an element of memory as you count the cards which have been played. But yes, it’s quick a luck-dependent genre of games.

[@asmrjackunboxinggames4328]

You can play all those games with buying one Deck of Tarot Playing Cards.

[@AdaminWales]

Can't beat a good deck of cards - more portable too!

[@upandawaygames]

Ever play Lamarckian Poker?

[@AdaminWales]

Rick Heli I haven’t heard of it. Is it worth me giving it a try? :)

[@upandawaygames]

I should think so. Probably inspired Claim and some other games. You can play using ordinary cards. boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3270/lamarckian-poker

[@DanielVieu]

Does anyone know what size the cards are for sleeving>?

[@AdaminWales]

Daniel Vieu Which game are you thinking of sleeving?

[@DanielVieu]

Adam's Boardgame Wales sorry, Pikoko. Is that chichewa for peacock? I bought Pikoko but want to make sure I have sleeves for the game. Also hoping it will fit in the box with sleeved cards

[@AdaminWales]

Daniel Vieu I believe it is chichewa for peacock! My version was called Ruffling Feathers but Brain Games wanted a more internationally appealing name. I like it! I don’t have a copy of Pikoko myself yet, so I don’t know card dimensions sorry!

[@user-nf8ph1gd4d]

What exactly do play a "trick" really mean here? Why is it feel that "trick" is a noun here. This naming is annoying.

[@AdaminWales]

It’s a seventeenth century word originally referring to a hand of cards - as in the widely used phrase “to miss a trick”. In trick taking games “trick” generally refers to a round of play. It is gamer jargon, and a little confusing because it is the same word used for magic “tricks” or for a prank (aka. a trick). The English language is full of words with multiple meanings like this.

[@harperrob]

Great video, Adam. I loved the way that in most cases you managed to chain to the next section from each game. Also I need to try Claim now -- the game it is clearly based on, German Whist, is my "favourite 2-player traditional card game that isn't Cribbage", so I suspect I will like it. :)