Hat-Trick (2014)

About this game

Expanded by: Hat-Trick: 'Players' Expansion (2016) Hat-Trick is a highly-tactical football card game for two players (managers) that simulates a complete football (soccer) match. Managers use player-cards to make a football pitch and move their players, while two identical sets of action cards let them perform various actions: short passes, long balls or dribblings. Putting the ball in the final line of the pitch triggers a Scoring Opportunity phase, which is a mini-game in itself and is performed using shooting and goalkeeping cards. The game contains 32 ready-to-play national teams of variable strength. Moreover, it is possible to customize your own teams based on any club in the world.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.8/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.