Stick ‘Em (1993) Board Game

Stick ‘Em is a card game released in 1993, designed by Klaus Palesch and published by AMIGO. The game is known for its unique gameplay mechanics involving hand management and trick-taking. With a playtime of 30–60 minutes and recommended for players aged 10 and up, Stick ‘Em has gained a following among fans of card games.

Game Components of Stick ‘Em

Deck: Consists of cards numbered 0-14 in six suits, with the number of cards and suits varying based on the player count.

Player Count: 3-6 players, though it can be played with up to 8 players in some versions.

Age Range: Suitable for players 10 and up.

Playtime: Approximately 20 minutes.

How To Setup Stick ‘Em

To set up Stick ‘Em, each player is dealt a hand of cards. Each player selects one card from their hand to be their “pain suit,” which is revealed simultaneously. This pain suit will score negative points at face value for all cards collected of that suit.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players can play any card from their hand, and every suit other than the leading suit is considered trump.

Winning Tricks: The highest trump card played wins the trick. If no trumps are played, the highest card of the leading suit wins. Zeros never win unless all cards played are zeros, in which case the first zero played wins.

Scoring: Each card taken that is not in the pain suit is worth one point. Cards of the pain suit score negative points at face value.

Objective: The goal is to minimize the number of cards in your pain suit while sticking other players with their pain suits to maximize their negative scores.

Player Experience

Stick ‘Em offers a unique and engaging twist on traditional trick-taking games. The game requires strategic thinking, anticipation, and a bit of mean-spirited play to stick other players with negative points. Despite its simple rules, the game is quite deep and challenging to master, making it appealing to fans of trick-taking games who are looking for something different.

Pros

Innovative Mechanics: Breaks away from traditional trick-taking rules, making it a standout in the genre.

High Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and anticipation, making it engaging for experienced players.

Quick Playtime: Games are relatively short, lasting about 20 minutes.

Cons

Chaotic with High Player Count: The game can become too chaotic with more than five players, reducing its strategic appeal.

Mean-Spirited Play: The game encourages players to stick each other with negative points, which can be frustrating for some players.

Steep Learning Curve: It takes several plays to fully understand and appreciate the game’s unique mechanics.

Personal Thoughts on Stick ‘Em

Stick ‘Em is a gem for fans of trick-taking games who are tired of the usual rules and seek a challenge. It is not for everyone, as it can be quite mean-spirited and requires a specific mindset to enjoy the strategic nuances. However, for those who love trick-taking and are looking for something innovative and deep, Stick ‘Em is a must-try. It is particularly well-suited for 3-4 players, where the game maintains its tension and strategic elements without becoming too chaotic.

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