Farm Hand
Farm Hand at your next game night?
Add Farm Hand to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Craig E. Somerton
- Publisher Gémklub , Grail Games
- Illustration Samuel Bouvant
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You get a 21-card pocket game played over six rounds with increasing hand sizes. Each round players simultaneously predict how many tricks they'll take, then play trick-taking rounds with open suits; identical card values cancel each other. Games run about 15–20 minutes and create quick, surprising interactions.
Who Is This Game For?
A short, tactically light game for groups and travelers; suitable for players aged 10+. It fits players who enjoy trick mechanics and simultaneous bidding without long setup or heavy rules complexity.
How It Works
Each round players receive a hand that grows each round. Before trick play, everyone makes a simultaneous bid (number of tricks expected). Trick-taking follows must-follow rules; the highest played value wins unless equal values cancel, in which case the next highest wins. Scoring rewards exact matches of bid and tricks; mismatches score negative points per difference. Dealer passes clockwise and after six rounds the highest score wins.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Craig E. Somerton, Farm Hand mixes Deduction, Predictive Bid and Trick-taking in a pocket format. Open suits and the cancellation of equal values create unpredictable outcomes, distinguishing it from typical trick games. It's published in the Series: Pocket (Grail Games) and built for portability.
Pro
- Very short playtime (~20 minutes) — great as a pocket game
- Easy to learn but tactical due to simultaneous bidding
- Open suits and value-cancellation create surprising outcomes
Contra
- Limited depth for heavy strategic gamers
- Short games can feel swingy due to luck in small card sets
Setting & atmosphere
A farm/animal theme is present via the Animals categories (dogs, sheep, pigs, etc.). The game uses these animal suits in an abstract card-game context rather than a narrative simulation.
Tips for beginners
Focus on predicting how many tricks you can realistically win each round and watch open suits to read opponents' options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports solo play as the player count starts at 1.
How long does a game really take?
About 15–20 minutes; the microgame format allows for quick repeated plays.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with trick-taking and simultaneous bidding is helpful but not required.
How does this compare to similar games?
Farm Hand stands out by combining open suits with cancellation of identical values, making trick outcomes less predictable than typical trick games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. With a minimum age of 10, it's family-friendly provided players grasp trick mechanics.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Deduction, Predictive Bid and Trick-taking with public suits is the core mechanic.
Fazit
Fast, portable and fun for fans of trick prediction. Recommend it for short sessions and travel; not aimed at players seeking deep, long-form strategy.
Farm Hand at your next game night?
Add Farm Hand to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Farm Hand to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
