Short Zoot Suit

About this board game

Short Zoot Suit is a trick-taking game for 2–4 players that plays in about 25 minutes. Set in the land of Bollywoods, or Bear Hollywood, it follows bears who are out for the night, looking good while making sure their suits are not too short.

The central challenge is to balance two connected results: the number of tricks you win and the number of times you play off-suit, or short-suit. Winning tricks is only part of the equation, so each hand asks you to consider how your plays affect both sides of your performance.

At the start of each hand, you create a personal draw deck from some of the cards you were dealt. Drawing from this deck can help you manipulate your hand for later play, giving you control over when you may be able to short-suit.

• Trick-taking gameplay for 2–4 players
• A personal draw deck built from cards dealt at the start of the hand
• A balancing challenge between tricks won and off-suit plays
• A flexible ending based on when a player runs out of cards

The game ends when any player is out of cards. This allows players to define the length of their hands, making the finish part of the game’s distinctive structure rather than relying on a fixed hand length.

Released in 2023, Short Zoot Suit combines traditional trick-taking with hand manipulation and a playful theme. If you enjoy weighing the value of each trick against the consequences of playing short-suit, this compact game offers a focused challenge in the world of Bear Hollywood.