- BGG rank
- BGG #6,250
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Black Spy
- 3–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 1981
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,902
- BGG rating
- 5.7
Tricks
1995
Rules assistance for Tricks
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–5 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.4/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Tricks
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tricks is a board game released in 1995 for 3–5 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Alan R. Moon and its main mechanics are Trick-taking.
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About the game
A card game. A game consists of two hands. In each hand, players buy 8 cards, bid, play their cards,then score. There are rules for buying cards even from opponents. Scoring is based on a bid card that tells you what the value of a bid will be. An example would be. Bid 5 win 3 = score 30 points, because the bid card shows that for any bid which results in (+ or - 2) of the bid scores the bid times 6.
Questions and answers
Tricks supports 3–5 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 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 Tricks 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 has a complexity rating of 1.4 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.
Tricks 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 Tricks are: Alan R. Moon. 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 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.