Elbows Up! Card Game

We are a family of six adults, ages 23 to 67, who love to get together and play games. We weren't too sure about this one the first time we played it, but it soon became a favorite. There is definitely strategy involved and winning is not as easy as you expect! The nice thing about it is if you have a "whiner" who is always complaining about the bad hand he's been dealt, he can't use that excuse in this game. Just bid low, make your bid, and you still rack up the points! You can download a scoresheet from the website, which is nice for scorekeeping. You can download game rules if you misplace the ones that come in the box. These cards are the same size as a standard deck of playing cards and are in the same style cardboard box. They work fine for color blind people as you can go by the shape on the card rather than the color - all squares are yellow, all circles are green, all stars are blue, etc. So one person might be playing by color, while another is playing by shape, but it doesn't matter - whichever is more comfortable for you. I am not color blind, but with "not-so-young" eyes when playing in less than bright lights, I can't tell the green from the blue, so I just go by the circles or stars on the cards.

The graphics were not clear, but I think it adds to the charm of the game. It definitely feels like a foreign game. It plays a bit like bridge, with bidding and taking tricks, but much simpler. I used it with an after school math club and the students caught on quickly and really enjoyed it. ( 6th grade). Great game for the price.

I'm not sure why people say this is for "high iq" players - it's very similar to Hearts. Albeit there are a few twists to the rules but it's not difficult by any means. My friends and I tend to recreate new rules and caveats to games we play and this game has that capability. This is best with more than 4 players.

I have purchased this game twice, for our family and a friend. Both enjoy it very much! I especially like that it is small enough to pack in a suitcase since our family plays games on vacation trips. It is challenging but easy to play. One of our favorites!

The game is really fun, and does not just rely on chance - you have to actually think and come up with a strategy yay! Kids love it too because they have to think it through to win the game. I encourage everyone to buy multiple games for stocking-stuffers - they are the perfect gift!

Dont know how this got game of the year, disappointed. Game is a single deck of cards. Way over priced!

I oversee programs for students with high IQ's. I have researched several strategy games and have had the chance to play Elbows Up. It's a great strategy game as mentioned. It helps develop thinking steps ahead but it's also fun! If you are in the mid-west or east coast you know winter is coming. Game night is one way we bring our family together. However, even in sunny California, it's good to get the family away from the TV and onto something intellectually challenging! Here is your chance. The game is also reasonably priced. Enjoy.

played the game, it is ok kids ages 9 and 11 learned to play, they had played Wizard before and 500, I would suggest Wizard over this game, It is fun but very close to other trick type games,