The Overtime

Picture yourself as an employee of a never‑ending company where Friday is the ultimate test: staying until the end of the day risks being called in for weekend work. In *The Overtime*, you’re dealt five cards at a time and must manage them to avoid accumulating stress tokens. If you play the last leave card, you get a stress token and become the next starting player. The game’s simple flow escalates tension fast: Monday through Thursday are relatively calm, but Friday’s pressure spikes. Staying past Friday’s end means the company summons you for Saturday and Sunday, costing you a life token. When life tokens hit zero, the game ends—no more play. Conversely, if you start Friday with three or more stress tokens, you trigger a stress check that can let you rest and recover a life. An extra twist: you can only leave work after the last train of the week, if someone has missed the final train. This rule adds a layer of strategy about when to play your cards and when to hold back. In short, *The Overtime* is a trick‑taking card game that blends corporate anxiety with quick decision‑making. Use your cards wisely, keep your stress in check, and if you’re lucky, avoid the dreaded weekend shift. It’s a fast 15‑30 minute game for 3‑5 players who enjoy card games that demand focus and a touch of luck.