Foppen

About this board game

Foppen is a trick-taking card game for 3–6 players that takes about 20 minutes to play. Released in 1995, it challenges players to empty their hands while managing a distinctive penalty.

The objective is straightforward: get rid of every card in your hand. During play, cards are used in tricks, and each trick can change the pressure on players who are trying to finish first.

The key twist is that the player who plays the lowest card in a trick sits out the next round. This creates an important tension between emptying your hand and avoiding the lowest play.

Because the lowest card determines who misses the next round, every trick carries an added consequence. Players must pay attention not only to their own hand, but also to the cards being played and the risk of ending up at the bottom.

With its compact play time and clear central goal, Foppen offers a focused card-game experience for small groups. The rules combine familiar trick-taking play with a memorable twist that affects who can participate in the following round.

Whether you enjoy traditional card-game structures or are looking for a quick game with an unusual setback, Foppen centers every decision on one question: can you empty your hand without playing the lowest card?