# Ghosts of Christmas

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2019
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: #2557
- **Players**: 3-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 40 min
- **Weight**: 2.30 / 5
- **Designers**: 新澤 大樹 (Taiki Shinzawa)
- **Artists**: Maria Surducan, 桑江 美沙穂 (Misaho Kuwae)
- **Publishers**: BoardGameTables.com, 倦怠期 (Kentaiki), Allplay, CMON Global Limited, Ludofun
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Predictive Bid, Trick-taking

## Verdict
Perfect for trick-taking fans looking for a brainy twist. The time-based system is brilliant and refreshes the genre.Innovative and fluid temporal mechanicFast-paced and dynamic gameplayHigh tension during the bidding phaseCompact and practical componentsInitial learning curve for beginnersRequires constant attention to opponentsRECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready for a supernatural Christmas! In Ghosts of Christmas, you're not just playing cards; you're manipulating time itself. The game blends classic trick-taking mechanics with a fascinating temporal twist: plays happen in the Past, Present, and Future. The real kicker is that while you can play your cards into any of these three periods in any order, the final resolution follows temporal logic. This creates a cat-and-mouse game where you try to deduce who is leading each trick or, better yet, manipulate the leadership to secure your win.

The dynamics start with the card deal and the bidding phase. This is where the tension lies: you must predict exactly how many tricks you will win. If you are precise with your bid, you score points; if you miscalculate, you fall behind. Each player has an individual mat with three numbered spaces. When you place the first card in one of these spaces, you set the suit for that trick. Other players must then decide whether to follow suit in that space or risk playing in a different time period.

It's a game of fast strategy where reading your opponents is key. Can you predict who will be the leader, or will you get lost in the timelines? The game ends once the number of hands played equals the number of players. In the end, the player with the highest score and the most collected wreaths is crowned the winner. It's the perfect blend of calculation, deduction, and that festive (and spooky) ghost atmosphere, ideal for those who enjoy intelligent card games that don't take hours to finish but leave you wanting more for the next round.

## FAQ
### Is the game hard to learn?
The trick-taking base is simple, but the past, present, and future mechanic takes a few minutes to grasp. One quick game clears up any doubts!

### How long does a game last?
It's very agile, averaging about 40 minutes, making it great for playing multiple rounds in one night.

### Does it work well with 3 players?
Yes! The game is balanced for 3 to 4 people, keeping the competitiveness and the tension of the bids intact.

### Do I need card game experience?
If you've played games like Hearts or Spades, you'll feel at home, but the 'Predictive Bid' mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy.

### Is the Christmas theme mandatory to enjoy the game?
Not at all! The theme is charming, but the real star is the temporal manipulation mechanic.