Idle Hands (2020)

About this game

In the must-follow trick-taking game Idle Hands, a.k.a. 悪魔でお仕事, the lead suit is determined by an extra card played to the trick from among a player's face-up mission cards. The highest card of the lead suit wins all the cards, then adds the mission card to their hand! Every trick is worth points, but this isn't necessarily a good thing since the 4s and 8s are worth their face value in negative points. At the end of the game, whoever has the most points — or, more frequently, the fewest negative points — wins!

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 4.
• Rules load. At 2.0/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 8 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.