LUZ

LUZ is a trick-taking game. The twist here is you can’t see your own cards. You don’t know exactly what cards you have, but you can see everyone else’s cards. However you know the suits of your cards, because the cards have different coloured backs following their suits. At the start of a round, based on knowing everyone else’s cards and the suits of your own, you must predict how many tricks you will win. You score points if you get it right, and you lose points if you get it wrong. You may choose to make a precise prediction, or you can predict two numbers. The latter is safer, but you score fewer points if you get it right. 

The rest of the trick-taking rules are pretty standard. You must follow the lead suit if you can. Only the lead suit can win, unless a trump suit card is played. 

This is a fun twist. Not all cards are dealt out. Although you can see all your opponents’ cards, you don’t have complete information. If you have a yellow (trump) card in hand, but based on what you see, both the 1 and the 12 are missing, you’ll have a tough time guessing how your yellow card will play out. Many of the trick-taking tactics still apply. It feels good to have so much information. Still there is some anxiety in what cards you have exactly. Your opponents’ predictions are important information. They tell you your opponents’ intentions and whether they are still trying to win tricks. 

This is an enjoyable game and if you like trick-taking games, well, you probably have already played this.