Elevenses

Elevenses is a light, charming card game that whisks players into the elegant drawing rooms of the 1920s, where socialites vie to serve the finest morning tea. At the start of each round everyone receives an identical set of eleven tea cards, each bearing a point value and a special ability. Interestingly, the lower the point number, the more potent the power – a "less is more" twist that often catches players off guard.

The core action is placing a card into one of several spots on the table; when you do, you usually pick up the card that was already there, forcing you to think twice before swapping. This constant swapping creates a hand‑management puzzle where you must balance hunting low‑value, high‑power cards with keeping a solid overall score. The round ends when someone plays the "Elevenses" card, signalling that tea time is over. At that moment players total the values of the cards remaining in their area, and the highest total earns victory points. The ultimate goal is to reach seven or more points, indicating you have served the most refined teas of the season.

The game also includes the "Elevenses: The Special Guests" expansion, already packed inside. Here each player gets a secret guest card that will appear only if the right combination of tea cards is played – an extra layer of strategy that can dramatically boost your tea's value. Because everything fits into a small print‑and‑play package, Elevenses is perfect for quick 30‑minute sessions, ideal for 2‑4 players who enjoy period themes, hand‑management mechanics, and light player interaction. While simple, the game demands careful planning and attention to opponents' moves, ensuring each playthrough feels fresh and full of tiny surprises.