Hattrick

About this board game

Hattrick is a card game for 4–6 players that takes about 30 minutes to play. Released in 1995, it features an unusual central idea: two tricks can be opened and played at the same time.

The player to the left of the dealer begins by playing any card. Players then take turns clockwise. On the second play, the active player may either follow the color already led or place a card of a different color beside it to open a second trick.

Once two tricks are active, the available plays become carefully restricted. The next player may follow either color or discard a card of a third color as a pass, but cannot start a third trick or add a third color to either existing trick. If the second player followed the first color instead, the next player may be the one to open the second trick.

• Two simultaneous tricks: A second color can create another trick on the table.
• Highest cards win: The player with the highest-numbered card in each trick takes those cards.
• Visible collections: Won cards are placed face up in front of their owner and stacked by color.

Because collected cards remain visible, everyone can see which colors each player is gathering. The player who holds the highest card in both tricks starts the next round. After all rounds are completed, the player with the highest score wins.

Hattrick can also be played as a variant in the third and fourth versions of Sticheln by the same game designer. Its distinctive two-trick structure earned it recognition as a 1997 Mensa Select title.