# Lunar Trick

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2025
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: #10305
- **Players**: 3-4 (Best with: 3)
- **Duration**: 20 min
- **Weight**: 1.67 / 5
- **Designers**: Iori Tsukinami (月並いおり)
- **Artists**: TANSAN Inc.
- **Publishers**: SYNKA Games
- **Categories**: Card Game
- **Mechanics**: Trick-taking

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love fast card games and enjoy mental puzzles with dynamic rules. The highlight is the variable trump definition.Innovative and fluid trump mechanicFast-paced and very dynamic gameplayMental challenge of exact scoringEasy to transport and set upInitial learning curve for suit rangesRequires constant attention to numbersRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever imagined a trick-taking game where the rules of victory shift according to the phases of the moon? In Lunar Trick, the goal isn't just to win as much as possible, but to have the precision to win the exact number of tricks to score. If you manage to win exactly one, three, or five tricks in a round, you score points. The catch? You must manage the lunar phases to manipulate what becomes the trump suit.

At the start of each round, players simultaneously reveal numbered cards. This action determines which lunar phase (rising or falling moon) becomes the trump and how the suits are divided. For instance, if the rising moon has more cards played, it becomes the trump. Suit division is dynamic: depending on the numbers played, the card intervals shift, turning the strategy into a quick mathematical puzzle. The player who played the highest card in this initial phase collects the trick and leads the next one.

During the game, you must follow suit if possible. If you can't, you can play the Lunar Eclipse card. The victory hierarchy is straightforward: trumps beat everything; if no trump is played, the Lunar Eclipse wins; otherwise, the highest non-trump card takes it. A crucial detail: the Lunar Eclipse card counts as a trick on its own, which can completely mess up your scoring calculations.

For four-player games, the dynamics get an extra twist with the Solar Eclipse card. Whoever receives it must play it during the first trick, securing an immediate trick, but altering how the trump and suits are determined for the rest of the round. The game continues through several fast-paced rounds until someone reaches 5 points. It's a game of precision where winning too much can be just as bad as winning nothing, requiring careful hand management to hit your target.

## FAQ
### How long does a game take?
It's very quick! A full game takes about 20 minutes.

### Is it hard to learn?
The basics are simple for those familiar with trick-taking, but the number-based suit definition requires some focus at first.

### How many people can play?
The game is balanced for 3 or 4 players.

### Is the game language dependent?
No, there is no language dependency, making it accessible to everyone.

### What is the main difference between 3 and 4 players?
With 4 players, the Solar Eclipse card is added, which must be played during the first trick.