Trick Raiders

About this board game

Trick Raiders is a trick-taking game for 3–4 players that plays in about 30 minutes. Each player receives a traditional hand of cards plus a group of face-up cards on the table.

These face-up cards serve as the player’s bid and also determine which cards they may use to lead tricks. Before play begins, players can add cards to this group, leave it unchanged, or remove cards from it. This creates an open element of preparation before the first trick is played.

The game uses must-follow trick-taking rules and begins with a fixed trump suit. Players compete to manage their available cards while navigating the restrictions created by their face-up leading cards and their cards held in hand.

• Face-up cards form each player’s bid and leading-card supply.
• Players must follow suit when able.
• A fixed trump suit governs play at the start.
• Some card ranks have special abilities.

Running out of the right cards can have serious consequences. A player may be eliminated from a hand if it is their turn to lead and they have no leading cards remaining, or if they must follow suit and have no cards left in their hand.

Every player starts with a few life chips. When one player is out, the player with the most life chips remaining wins. This gives each trick and each card-management decision a lasting impact across the hand.

Several ranks add extra uncertainty to the contest. For example, when the 8 or 9 of clubs is played and wins a trick, the trump suit changes. With open bid cards, mandatory following, elimination risks, and shifting trump, Trick Raiders offers a distinctive take on traditional trick-taking.