The Magic Shop

Jupiters Club · Board game · 2025
3–5 · best 3, 4 15–35 min Weight 2.0/5
10.0 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Buy
10.0 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy quick card games with a splash of fantasy, The Magic Shop will hook you from the first round.

Highlights
  • unique magical effects
  • short playtime
  • easy to learn
  • playful humor
Keep in mind
  • effects may penalize
  • card luck matters
  • can feel repetitive with many players
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About the game

What you do in a play session

The Magic Shop is a fast‑paced, themed card game that drops up to five aspiring magicians into a tiny shop brimming with supernatural tricks. Each round is a trick‑taking bout, but the twist comes from five special suits – Wine, Time Machine, Eye, Door and Invisible Man – each granting a unique Magic Effect when you win the trick. Wine reshuffles the order and changes the trump suit, the Time Machine lets you turn back time to alter predictions, the Eye flips the strength of numbers each blink, the Door sends a card to another dimension, and the Invisible Man steals a trick you were about to win before vanishing. After taking a trick, the winner must pick one of the revealed effects and decide when to trigger it; timing can flip the board, yet some effects carry a price called Thirst, a penalty for using them. The game blends hand management – choosing which cards to keep to unleash the right effects – with classic trick‑taking, all in a 15‑35 minute playtime. The artwork evokes a quirky magic shop full of curiosities, and the publisher’s cheeky flavor text makes it feel like the Invisible Man himself is whispering hints. It’s perfect for players who enjoy easy‑to‑learn card games that still offer strategic depth, making it a hit with friends, families, and newcomers alike. With a light complexity rating (2/5), the rules are quick to explain and the replay value stays high thanks to the ever‑changing magical effects.

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–5 players
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases
Publisher Jupiters Club
Designer Anuc Kim, Reader on Jupiter
Artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play?
3 to 5 players.
How long does a game take?
Typically 15–35 minutes, depending on player count.
What is the game's complexity?
Weight 2/5 – simple rules and quick learning curve.
What components are included?
Cards for the five suits, Thirst markers, and a concise rulebook.
Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of card games, families, and friends looking for a light, thematic experience.
Are there any expansions planned?
No expansions have been announced yet, though the publisher hinted at possible future variants.
What does the ‘Thirst’ penalty do?
It imposes a negative effect that can lower your score or limit actions when you trigger certain magical effects.

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