Raven

A classic trick-taking, bid-making card game for contemplative players. This medieval-themed game combines elements of collusion, misdirection, risk taking and deduction. Successful players must manage the tension and uncertainty surrounding 4 Specialists, including the powerful Raven.

The game is played with 56 suited cards — Shields, Swords, Axes, and Waters numbered 1 (low) to 14 (high) and 4 special cards (specialists). Each hand features a different trump suit. Players must sacrifice cards from their hands to bid the number of tricks they will take. Each suit conveys a bid value: 0, 1, 2, or 3. The suit (not the rank) of the cards chosen determines how many tricks the player must take. Score 1 point per trick taken, plus a bonus for an exact bid.

The specialists are:

Raven — the highest trump

Wolf — the highest non-trump

Shaman — a half-step higher than the card it immediately follows

Dwarf — the lowest card

Each player tries to take (win) the exact number of tricks bid. Deception and collusion are allowed and include saying: how many tricks you bid; what cards you hold; that you want a particular trick; that you won’t take a trick; and lying about any or all of these things. You can say what you like, but you cannot show your cards before you play them.

Card play mechanics are typical for the trick-taking family of games: The player left of the dealer leads. Play proceeds clockwise. A player who can follow suit must either (1) follow suit or (2) play a specialist. A player who cannot follow suit may play any card.

The player with the most points after 8 hands wins. In case of a tie, the player (of those tied) who earned the most bonuses is the winner.