Trick-taking games are everywhere right now, but not all of them earn a permanent spot on the shelf. We put Clay’s full taste on the record with a ranked list of 35 trick-taking games, from “still happy to play” to the titles that absolutely nail what we love about the genre: clean decisions, readable hands, and one great twist that changes everything without adding a rulebook’s worth of exceptions.

Along the way, we warm up with recent plays that hit very different corners of tabletop gaming. Clay breaks down Game Makers, a big box board game about making board games, complete with a rotating wheel, resource timing, and contract fulfillment choices that constantly ask “keep this for scoring or spend it for upgrades?” Travis shares thoughts on First Giants and why some modern worker placement and set collection designs can be solid yet still struggle to stand out once you already own a few favorites. We also shout out Pictomania as a drawing party game that actually feels strategic, with speed, deduction, and scoring pressure baked into every round.

Then we hit the main event: Clay’s definitive trick-taking ranking, including classics like Hearts and Spades, modern hits like Skull King and Cat In The Box, and why cooperative trick-taking games like The Crew are so satisfying when the whole table becomes your partner. The top spot goes to a story-driven Lord of the Rings co-op trick taker that keeps the mission magic and adds theme and progression for maximum payoff.

Subscribe for more board game rankings, trick-taking game recommendations, and honest takes, and if you disagree with our list, share the episode and tell us your top three trick-taking games.

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