Diamonds (2014) Board Game
Diamonds is a card game designed by Mike Fitzgerald and published by Stronghold Games in in 2014. The game combines elements of hand management and trick-taking, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience for 2 to 6 players.
## Game Components of Diamonds
– 60 Playing Cards, numbered 1-15 in four suits (diamonds, hearts, clubs, and spades)
– 6 Vault cards
– 6 Player Aid cards
– 110 small clear diamond crystals (1 point each)
– 25 large red diamond crystals (5 points each)
– Rules (8 pages)
## How To Setup Diamonds
To set up the game, each player receives a Vault standee and three small diamond crystals placed in front of their vault, known as the Showroom. The rest of the diamonds are set aside as the Supply. The dealer deals 10 cards to each player and decides how many cards (0-3) to pass to the player on their left. All players pass the same number of cards to their left.
## Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
### Mechanics
– **Trick-taking**: Players must follow suit if they can, and the highest card in the led suit wins the trick.
– **Hand management**: Players manage their cards to achieve the best outcomes.
– **Suit Actions**: Each suit has a specific action associated with it.
– **Diamonds**: Take a small diamond from the Supply and put it directly into your vault.
– **Hearts**: Take a small diamond from the Supply and put it in front of your vault.
– **Spades**: Move a diamond from in front of your vault into your vault.
– **Clubs**: Steal a diamond from in front of another player’s vault and put it in front of yours.
### Game Objective
The objective is to collect the most points in diamonds. Diamonds in the vault are worth 2 points, and those in the Showroom are worth 1 point. The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds, and the player with the most points wins.
## Player Experience
**Diamonds** combines the simplicity of classic trick-taking games like Hearts and Spades with deep strategic elements. Players always have something to do, even when they cannot follow the led suit, as they can play another suit and take the associated action. The game’s design ensures that players are constantly engaged, and the secret nature of the vault adds an element of unpredictability. The game is easy to learn but offers significant depth in strategy, making it appealing to both casual and experienced players.
### Pros
– **Engaging Gameplay**: Players are always involved, whether following suit or taking actions.
– **Strategic Depth**: The game offers complex strategies despite its simple rules.
– **Quick Learning Curve**: New players can learn the game in under 3 minutes.
– **Nice Components**: The cards are sturdy, and the plastic diamonds are a nice touch.
### Cons
– **Theme**: The game lacks a strong thematic element, which might be a drawback for some players.
– **Vault Quality**: The paper vaults are somewhat cheap and flimsy.
## Personal Thoughts on Diamonds
**Diamonds** is an excellent addition to any card game collection. It is perfect for families and casual gamers who enjoy trick-taking games but are looking for something with more depth. The game’s simplicity and quick setup make it an ideal choice for short gaming sessions, while its strategic elements ensure it remains engaging over multiple plays. If you’re looking for a game that balances ease of learning with depth of play, **Diamonds** is a great choice.
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