Da Vinci's Challenge Card Game (2005)

About this game

This deck of cards featuring various symbols and numeric values is both a stand-alone game and an expansion for the board game of the same name. In the card game, the deck is dealt out to the players, who compete to be the first to run out of cards. The first player leads with either a single card or a matching pair of cards. Other players in turn must follow with the same number of cards featuring a higher numeric value or pass. If two players put down the same single card in a row, the next player's in line misses a turn. If all players are forced to pass in a row, the table is cleared and a new round begins, starting with the last player to put down a card. Certain special cards or combinations of cards can also cause the table to be cleared. When used in combination with the board game, a card is drawn whenever a player completes a pattern on his or her turn, allowing for extra scoring opportunities and occasional chances for players to replace opponents' pieces with their own.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 4.
• Rules load. At 1.1/5 this is a light game — explain it in a few minutes, good for a table that has not played much.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.