Triqueta

Draft rows of animal tokens and aim for exactly three of each kind, because a fourth costs you points.

Designers: Ralf zur Linde, Stefan Dorra
Published by: Deep Print Games
Editions by: Pegasus Spiele, Broadway Toys LTD, Lautapelit.fi, Gigamic, Ghenos Games, MEBO Games

Animal tokens get dealt into rows, and you take turns grabbing a whole row. Over four rounds you try to collect exactly three of each animal type, because three of a kind forms a triqueta and scores well. Collect more than three of the same animal and you lose points instead. So the trick is timing: grab the row you want too early and you leave a better one to someone else, wait too long and you are stuck with a pile you do not want. It is a drafting game with a push-your-luck edge, for 2 to 5 players, in about half an hour. The 2024 printings include the Hidden Wolves expansion in the box.

Grab a whole row of animal tokens each turnExactly three of a type scores; more costs pointsFour short rounds in about half an hour

Who it's for

You want a compact drafting game with a clean decision each turn and enough tension to make you watch other people's piles.

Not for you if…

You want a deep strategy game or a lot of interaction beyond row-grabbing.

Vibe's take

Quick and thinky in a small way. Everyone watches the same rows, so you spend the game reading what the others need and deciding when to jump.