Take The "A" Chord

Take The "A" Chord is a card game that puts players in the shoes of jazz musicians competing over the strength of chords. The goal is to control the most powerful chord in each round, but scoring isn’t as simple as winning tricks: the chord’s power shifts throughout the game, demanding constant attention and improvisational strategy. The deck contains five suits, labeled A through G, and each card represents a note. When a trick begins, the leading player must play a card of the suit that was led, unless they have a card with the same letter as a card already played in the trick; in that case, they can "improvise" and play the matching letter. This improvisation has two effects: first, the repeated letter becomes the new highest‑valued note for subsequent tricks; second, the current trick remains unresolved, and the player who started it initiates a new trick carrying all the tricks already won. This mechanic creates a cycle of risk and reward, because winning too many tricks can cost points in the end, while improvising can earn valuable bonuses. The game is quick—about 30 minutes—and works well with 2 to 4 players. The 2015 edition was limited to 3‑ and 4‑player setups, while the 2021 edition expanded the components and rules to accommodate 2‑player play. With an average rating of 1.83 out of 5, jazz fans and card‑game enthusiasts who enjoy a strategic challenge will appreciate Take The "A" Chord, especially for its blend of musical theme and dynamic trick‑taking mechanics.