The best Trick-taking games 🃏 2024

Looking for a really good trick-taking card game 🃏? We have collected the 32 best trick-taking games for you and listed them clearly.

What are trick-taking games anyway?

Players play cards from their hands onto the table. The order is usually clockwise and proceeds in rounds in which each player discards a card - in what is called a "trick". Each trick is scored separately to determine a winner and/or apply other possible effects.

The highest card wins the "trick"

The most common way to win a trick is to play the card with the highest value of the suit that was played first. Many classic card games use the "trump" system (where the particular cards, usually those of a particular suit, win the trick when played). Occasionally there is a bidding round to determine this trump suit.

"Serve" must

In many trick plays (though not all), players are required to "serve", that is, play a card of the same suit that was played, if they have one. If they don't have a matching card, they must play another card from their hand.

List of the best trick plays 2024 🃏

This list was last updated on November 30, 2024. We compared 1886 board games for this list and selected the top 32. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

    All details for the board game The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and similar games

    The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game that embarks players on an underwater expedition to discover the lost continent of Mu. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, The Crew, this game combines the familiar mechanics of trick-taking with unique cooperative elements and a compelling thematic narrative.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  2. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

    All details for the board game The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine and similar games

    The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative trick-taking game that takes players on an adventurous space journey, filled with challenges and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Skull King

    All details for the board game Skull King and similar games

    Skull King is an exciting and competitive trick-taking game that adds unique twists to the traditional format found in games like Oh Hell!, Wizard, Euchre, and Spades.

    More details for Skull King
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Skull King

    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull King" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull King" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. Seas of Strife

    All details for the board game Seas of Strife and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. The Fox in the Forest

    All details for the board game The Fox in the Forest and similar games

    The Fox in the Forest is a captivating two-player trick-taking card game that brings a unique twist to a classic genre with its enchanting fairy tale theme and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for The Fox in the Forest
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition

    All details for the board game Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition and similar games

    Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is a unique and innovative quantum trick-taking card game that challenges 2 to 5 players to think strategically about color and number. This deluxe edition of the game enhances the experience with high-quality components and new features.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Wizard

    All details for the board game Wizard and similar games

    Wizard is a captivating trick-taking card game that adds a twist to the traditional deck by including Wizards and Jesters. It's a game of prediction, strategy, and adaptability, where players must accurately gauge their chances of winning tricks.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Wizard
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Jekyll vs. Hyde

    All details for the board game Jekyll vs. Hyde and similar games

    Jekyll vs. Hyde is a riveting two-player trick-taking game inspired by the classic novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. This game pits two iconic characters against each other in a battle of wits and strategy, with one player embodying Dr. Jekyll, striving to maintain his secret and sanity, and the other player taking on the role of Mr. Hyde, seeking to dominate and unveil the dual identity.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Jekyll vs. Hyde
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Diamonds

    All details for the board game Diamonds and similar games

    Diamonds offers a unique twist on traditional trick-taking card games. Instead of merely collecting cards, players are vying for "Diamond Crystals," represented by actual acrylic crystals included in the game. This game stands out with its innovative "Suit Actions" that come into play when players cannot follow suit or win tricks.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Diamonds
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Inside Job

    All details for the board game Inside Job and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. Claim

    All details for the board game Claim and similar games

    Claim is a captivating card game set in a realm thrown into chaos by the sudden death of its king. Players compete to win the support of five factions and claim the throne for themselves. The game is played in two phases: first, recruiting followers, and then using those followers to win over the factions. Each faction possesses unique powers that can influence the game, and these powers may vary between the phases. The goal is to secure the majority of followers in at least three of the five factions to win the game and ascend to the throne.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    🔥 Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Claim
    • 2 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Potato Man

    All details for the board game Potato Man and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Rebel Princess

    All details for the board game Rebel Princess and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Fool!

    All details for the board game Fool! and similar games
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Fool!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Fool!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Claim 2

    All details for the board game Claim 2 and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Yokai Septet

    All details for the board game Yokai Septet and similar games
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Medievalia

    All details for the board game Medievalia and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Voodoo Prince

    All details for the board game Voodoo Prince and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  19. Stick 'Em

    All details for the board game Stick 'Em and similar games

    Stick 'Em, initially released as Sticheln, is a captivating trick-taking card game that turns traditional card game objectives on their head. Players aim to score points by collecting as many cards as possible, except in one chosen color—referred to as their "pain" color—which they seek to avoid. The game involves both strategic depth and a twist of predicting opponents' moves to avoid pitfalls.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Stick 'Em
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Stick 'Em

    • YouTube Review for the game "Stick 'Em" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Wizard: Jubiläumsedition

    All details for the board game Wizard: Jubiläumsedition and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. St Patrick

    All details for the board game St Patrick and similar games
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Euchre

    All details for the board game Euchre and similar games
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Brian Boru: High King of Ireland

    All details for the board game Brian Boru: High King of Ireland and similar games

    In Brian Boru: High King of Ireland, your goal is to weave together the strands of military might, diplomacy, and marriage to unify Ireland under your rule. The game cleverly combines traditional trick-taking mechanics with strategic depth, allowing you to gain influence across the island by winning towns and securing regions, or by leveraging the unique actions tied to the suits of the cards you play.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Brian Boru: High King of Ireland
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Mino Dice

    All details for the board game Mino Dice and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. The Dwarf King

    All details for the board game The Dwarf King and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Sluff Off!

    All details for the board game Sluff Off! and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Battle of Durak

    All details for the board game Battle of Durak and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. The Bottle Imp

    All details for the board game The Bottle Imp and similar games

    The Bottle Imp is a unique trick-taking card game inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's short story. The game blends traditional trick-taking mechanics with a novel twist on how trump cards are determined, creating a dynamic and strategic experience. Played over several hands aiming for a set point total, usually 200 points, the game involves cards numbered 1-37 in three colors, representing different ranges of numerical value. The game's objective is to score the most points, but with the catch that the player left holding the "bottle" scores negative points for that hand.

    More details for The Bottle Imp
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Shamans

    All details for the board game Shamans and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Shamans
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Ziegen Kriegen

    All details for the board game Ziegen Kriegen and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Ziegen Kriegen
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  31. Doppelkopf

    All details for the board game Doppelkopf and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  32. Skat

    All details for the board game Skat and similar games
    • 3 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

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