The Fox in the Forest is a fantastic 2-player trick-taking game that packs a punch in a small box you will want to take everywhere!
The idea is to play cards and win (or lose) tricks over multiple rounds to score points. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
You will need to be as cunning as the Fox to decide how you will play the game out though - be Humble (winning 0-3 tricks) or Victorious (winning 7-9 tricks) and you will scoop maximum points. However, being too Greedy (winning 10-13 tricks) will see you heading back to your den with your tail between your legs and no points to show for it.
To set up, each player is dealt 13 cards, from a deck of 33 cards, with the remaining 7 cards placed face down as a draw deck. The top card is then turned over to reveal the starting Decree Card (or Trump Card) for that round.
Each round consists of 13 turns for each player. The non-dealer starts the round by playing a Lead card from their hand. This can be any card they choose and the suit will become the lead suit for that trick. The next player must then Follow by playing a card of the same suit if they are able to do so. If they do not have a card of that suit, they can play any card.
The trick winner is the one with the highest ranking card of that suit. However, Decree cards will always win over the lead suit. The winner of the trick takes both cards and keeps them face down on their side of the table. The winner then leads the next trick and so on until all 13 cards have been played. The number of tricks won should always be visible to both players as this can determine how the game is played out. Point tokens are then collected and the next round is dealt by the alternate player from the last round.
Just before you get shuffling, you will need to hear about the special ability cards that make this game even more exciting! From Swans to Foxes and Witches to Monarchs, every odd card has a character that adds a twist to the game. The lucky number 7 Treasure Card can even add instant points to your tally.
The first player to 21 points in a standard game wins. However with options to play a shorter game if you want to make the most of your coffee break, or a longer game on a rainy afternoon, there is no reason not to keep in in your bag or at the front of your games shelf…your deal or mine?
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