Worst In Show

About this board game

Worst In Show is a 3–5 player trick-taking game that plays in about 30 minutes. Set during the final day of the annual Canine Club Dog Show, it puts a group of champion dogs in a tense contest for the top prize.

Every finalist has already proven their skill, but the pressure of the competition is making them restless. If the dogs can agree to misbehave just a little, one of them may still find a way to win. The playful theme gives the game a distinctive twist on a classic card-game format.

At its core, Worst In Show is a must-follow trick-taking game. Players normally need to follow suit, but opportunities arise to switch to may-follow play, subject to restrictions. These changing conditions create moments of uncertainty as players weigh when to follow expectations and when to take advantage of an opening.

• Players: 3–5
• Playing time: about 30 minutes
• Core mechanism: must-follow trick-taking with restricted may-follow opportunities
• Theme: champion dogs competing in the final day of a dog show

The game features a new scoring scheme and all-new art by Beth Sobel. Its scoring update offers a fresh take on the original design while preserving the focus on tricks, restrictions, and carefully timed misbehavior.

Worst In Show is an update of Mashikamaru’s Iyados, which was released at the Tokyo Game Market in 2022. With its compact play time and unusual canine competition, it offers a lively card-game experience for groups looking for a fresh trick-taking challenge.