Seas of Strife

Dodge tricks in a card game where the winning colour can flip before the trick ends.

See how it plays

ReviewMark Major's Seas of Strife, Rio Grande Games, Overview & Review

Designer: Mark Major
Publishers: AMIGO, Rio Grande Games, Whirling Derby Games
Editions by: Hobby Japan, Lautapelit.fi, Grok Games, Strohmann Games, House of Monks

A devilishly clever trick-avoidance card game (once known as Texas Showdown) where the winning suit can flip mid-trick. You must follow suit if you can, but going off-suit can quietly shift which colour dominates, and the highest card of the most-played colour is stuck taking the whole trick.

The deciding suit can change mid-trickYou want to avoid winning, not winA simple deck hiding real mind games

Who it's for

Card players who love trick-taking with a twist and enjoy games that reward reading the table over raw luck.

Not for you if…

You prefer classic take-the-most-tricks games or want something breezy. The shifting-suit rule takes a hand or two to click, and can frustrate players who like clear-cut plays.

Vibe's take

Squirming, count-the-colours tension where the safe-looking play can suddenly saddle you with the trick.