Inside Job

Inside Job

Card GameSpies / Secret Agents
Players
2-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
5 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).
1.7 / 5
Year
2022

About the game

Inside Job is a mostly cooperative trick-taking card game for three to five secret agents working together to complete missions, except one insider is secretly sabotaging the team from within. Each trick completed represents a mission, and players must use deduction, hand management, and limited communication to root out suspicious behavior before it's too late. Team-based variable powers and hidden roles add a layer of social deduction to the classic trick-taking core.

Hobbli's Notes

We like how Inside Job blends trick-taking mechanics with hidden-role social deduction, creating tense moments of 'who can I trust?' within a familiar card-game framework. The semi-cooperative structure keeps most of the table working together while still rewarding a sneaky insider who plays their role well. It's a clever mashup for groups who enjoy both classic card games and modern social deduction.

What we like

  • Unique blend of trick-taking and hidden-role deduction.
  • Semi-cooperative structure creates constant suspicion.
  • Variable player powers add replay variety.
  • Quick 30-minute sessions fit easily into a night.

Keep in mind

  • Notable downtime given the deduction-heavy turns.
  • Requires exactly three to five players.
  • New players may need a round to grasp the hidden-role dynamic.

Who it's for

Great for social deduction and trick-taking fans aged 10+ in groups of three to five.

Mechanics

Communication LimitsDeductionHand ManagementHidden Roles / TraitorSemi-Cooperative GameTeam-Based GameTrick-takingVariable Player PowersVoting

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