Wrap-up:
As you could probably tell from the video, this game was very well received by Audrie and me. This trick-taking game replaces, for me, many of the trick-taking games that I am used to playing. I believe the “trick-taking game not about taking tricks” feeling that this game promotes will make it more popular than most other trick-taking games, as those other games are often bogged down in the particulars (shoot the moon, betting, bidding, trump, hand point values, etc). Diamonds is a fun, focused game with an additional element (diamonds) that creates an entirely new primary strategy, shored up by the traditional trick-taking mechanic. Essentially, this is a game-changer for trick-taking games.
However, there were a couple of points that Audrie and I failed to explain/expand upon in our video:
1.) If you prefer an even more strategic gameplay experience, the rulebook outlines a variant called Perfect Diamonds, where you adjust the cards to the number of players so that you will always know which cards are in play.
2.) Diamonds plays a better number of people (at 2-6 players) than some other trick-taking games, and another variant is the 4-or-6 player partnership play, which helps to scratch the itch of those Bridge/Euchre players.
Finally, if you like Diamonds, be sure to check out the Stronghold Games website for more fantastic games!
Recommendations:
If you like the following/you will probably like Diamonds:
– Bridge/Pinochle/Euchre/Hearts/Spades/Clubs/etc.
– ‘Take that’ mechanics (stealing the diamonds)
– Cat burglary
– Being a jeweler
– Shiny things
– Strategic card play
Get the Game:
– Please, support your friendly local game store!!
If you are interested in a game, check and see if there is a local game store in your area and give them a call or stop by. If they are good people who run a good store, then they are definitely worth supporting.
Listing of Local Game Stores: – http://tinyurl.com/p7o3utk
Online Retailers:
CoolStuffInc. – http://www.coolstuffinc.com/p/203637
Closing:
See you Friday!
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Board2Tears 