- BGG rank
- BGG #2,151
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Key Flow
- 2–6 players
- 45–75 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,480
- BGG rating
- 6.5
On the Cards
2011
Rules assistance for On the Cards
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.6/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for On the Cards
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
On the Cards is a board game released in 2011 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Sebastian Bleasdale and its main mechanics are Trick-taking.
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About the game
Both a game and a way to create games, On The Cards is a window into the possibilities offered by a traditional deck of cards. On The Cards comprises a deck of 50 or so rule cards that define how cards move from the (shared) deck, through players' hands and into tricks, and how cards are scored at the end of the round. By combining these rule cards, you can create thousands of games! The Fixed Rule cards (black) are always used. In each round, the rules on the Fixed Rule cards are combined with the rules on one card of each other type: Deal, Aim, Card Play and Trick Taking. Deal (red) defines how the dealer will distribute cards. Aim (yellow) defines the objective of the round and how it will be scored. Card Play (green) defines how the players will play cards. Trick Taking (blue) defines how tricks will be won. In later games you can add Optional Twist cards (mauve) and Double cards to spice things up.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Surprised Stare Games Ltd
Questions and answers
On the Cards supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for On the Cards is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists On the Cards for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
On the Cards has a complexity rating of 1.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
On the Cards belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Trick-taking. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of On the Cards are: Sebastian Bleasdale. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists On the Cards as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.