Dealt!

Dealt!

Card Game
Players
3-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
30 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
10+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
1.4 / 5
Year
2018

About the game

Dealt! is a fast card game where the goal isn't to go out first, but simply to avoid losing all your life tokens. Players play combinations of adjacent cards from their fixed hand, and each subsequent player must beat the prior play or draw a reserve card into their hand. Run out of reserve cards, and you must sacrifice a life token instead: lose all three, and you're the game's loser while everyone else wins. It's a quick, tense card game about clever hand management and calculated risk.

Hobbli's Notes

Dealt! flips the usual 'race to empty your hand' formula on its head, and that twist keeps the tension high right to the final round. It's light, quick to teach, and works well as a filler game for groups who enjoy a bit of push-your-luck pressure.

What we like

  • Unique 'avoid losing' win condition feels fresh.
  • Fast 30-minute playtime works well as a filler.
  • Fixed hand order forces clever combination planning.
  • Easy to teach to casual groups.

Keep in mind

  • Limited strategic depth for heavier gamers.
  • Luck of the initial deal can be significant.

Who it's for

Good for casual card game fans age 10+ in groups of 3-5 looking for a quick, tense filler game.

Mechanics

Hand ManagementLadder ClimbingSingle Loser Game

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