- BGG rank
- BGG #8,521
- BGG rating
- 6.3
Hey Yo
- 2–10 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,556
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Tricks and the Phantom
2017
Rules assistance for Tricks and the Phantom
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 10–20 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Tricks and the Phantom
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tricks and the Phantom is a board game released in 2017 for 2–4 players, 10–20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Takashi Saito.
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About the game
Tricks and the Phantom is a simple deduction game using only ten (or eleven) cards with a little bluffing element. Deduce the culprit from among the four persons. However, there may be a "phantom" who attempts to confuse you. In the base game, ten cards are dealt to four players, so players have hands of only two or three cards. As in a trick-taking game, each player plays one card face down in turn order. While doing this, each player forecasts who has the highest card (that is, the culprit). Each card has a color (suit), and you have to show that color when you play the card; this allows opponents to narrow down the number of your card, but some cards have a special effect, so big numbers don't win automatically. Points are awarded to whoever played the highest card (the culprit) and to whoever correctly forecasted that player winning. Tricks and the Phantom is not just card luck. It is a strategy inference game that requires you to read each other's psychology.
Designers
Publishers
- Popcorn Games
- Oink Games
- Card Castle
- BrainBrainGames
Questions and answers
Tricks and the Phantom supports 2–4 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 Tricks and the Phantom is 10–20 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 Tricks and the Phantom 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.
Tricks and the Phantom has a complexity rating of 2.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
Tricks and the Phantom belongs to these categories: Card Game, Deduction, and Bluffing. Categories describe the theme, setting and style of a game rather than its rules. Filter the catalogue by the same category to find similar games when you enjoyed Tricks and the Phantom and want something comparable for your next game night.
The credited designers of Tricks and the Phantom are: Takashi Saito. 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 Tricks and the Phantom 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.