Trick-taking is a popular game mechanic found primarily in card games, where players attempt to win rounds, or "tricks," with the goal of achieving the most favorable outcomes over the course of a game. Common features include a hierarchy of card suits and values, as well as the strategic element of outplaying opponents by anticipating their moves.
Core Principles of Trick-Taking:
- Hierarchy of Cards: Usually, cards are ranked with some cards being stronger than others, and one suit might be designated as the "trump" suit, overriding others in power.
- Gameplay Rounds: Games are played in rounds, with each round consisting of each player playing one card; the round is often called a "trick."
- Winning Tricks: The player who plays the highest-ranked card wins the trick, under the guidelines of card hierarchy and following the leading suit if applicable.
- Objective: Depending on the game, the objective may be to win as many tricks as possible, to win specific tricks, or to avoid winning tricks.
Common Rules:
- Leading: The first player of a round leads by playing a card; the suit of this card often dictates the suit that must be followed.
- Following Suit: Players must follow the suit led if able; if they cannot, they may play any card.
- Trump Suit: A specific suit that can win over the others if no card from the leading suit is played, crucial in games such as Spades.
- Bidding: Some games involve predicting the number of tricks a player will win, adding a layer of strategic planning.
Examples of Trick-Taking Games:
- Bridge: A complex game that involves bidding and partnerships, with a high level of strategic depth.
- Euchre: A simplified version of Bridge with a smaller deck and fewer players, making it quicker and more casual.
- Spades: Similar to Bridge and Euchre but uses a standard deck of cards and integrates bidding.
Trick-taking mechanics encourage strategic thinking and can be adjusted for complexity, making them enduringly popular in both casual and competitive play.
Trick-taking games illustrated by Anca Gavril
Strategy Game with Trick-taking
Science Fiction themed games with Trick-taking
Animals themed games with Trick-taking
Trick-taking games designed by Friedemann Friese

FOOL! is a card-shedding and trick-taking card game where the object is to empty your hand, but also to still score points! You don’t need to win every trick, but you need to stay in the round. If you play the lowest card in a trick, you are the FOOL...
FOOL!
$12.95
$12.86

March 14th, 13:37: The perfect moment to play FTW?!In each round of FTW?!, you try to play your cards so that you preferably keep only one card with a high number. It is possible that you get rid of fewer cards than the other players. As soon as a player...
FTW?!
$19.95
$10.00
Team-Based Game with Trick-taking
Trick-taking games designed by Scott Almes
Trick-taking and Shedding / Stops games
Holidays themed games with Trick-taking

Grab that Victorian outfit from your closet and join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future on a time traveling adventure. You'll play tricks to each time period as you try to outwit your fellow travelers and collect enough wreaths to decorate...
Ghosts of Christmas
$20.00

The holidays are all about spending time with your relatives and having better decorations than your neighbors. More importantly, the Ugly Christmas Sweaters are out and it’s up to you and your knitting needles if you want to outdo your neighborhood...
Ugly Christmas Sweaters
$40.00